How do I figure how many scaffold bays I need from a plan?

Measure each elevation on the floor plan in linear feet, then divide each run by the bay length of your frames or ledgers and round up. MetreMate gives you the footage off the PDF, and the free scaffolding calculator turns it into bays, lifts and a component list.

Can I measure the building height off the elevations?

Yes. Calibrate the elevation sheet off a labeled dimension, then measure from grade to the eave, gutter or parapet. That gives you the height of the top working platform, and from it how many lifts of frames or system scaffold the job takes.

Does MetreMate design the scaffold?

No. MetreMate measures lengths, areas, perimeters, counts, angles and arcs off your plans. The bays and components come from the separate free scaffolding calculator on our website, and the scaffold itself is erected under a competent person and designed by a qualified person.

Can I measure a scaffold that wraps the whole building?

Yes. The Perimeter tool traces the outline and totals the linear feet, which suits a full wrap. Measure each face on its own when the heights change, so every elevation gets the right number of lifts and frames in the bid.

Can I keep each elevation or phase separate?

Yes. Put each elevation, building or phase on its own layer, so the footage totals separately. That lets you bid a phased job, or a scaffold that steps up with the roof line, one part at a time and in the right order.

Yes. You can start on the free plan with no credit card, and there is a 7-day trial of the paid features. MetreMate runs in any modern browser on a Windows or Mac computer, so there is nothing to install. Upload an elevation and measure a run for yourself.

MetreMate for Scaffolding Contractors

Elevation lengths and heights for every scaffolding bid

Measure each elevation and the building height off the PDF plans, then work out frames, bays and lifts for the bid before you drive to the jobsite.

Try MetreMate, it's free See how it works

No credit card needed. Free plan to start, works on Windows and Mac.

Scaffolding crew assembling frame scaffold along the face of a building

Under 90 seconds to your first measurement

Why scaffolding contractors choose MetreMate

Scaffolding contractors use MetreMate to measure elevation lengths and building heights from PDF plans before they bid. Trace each face of the building, including returns and setbacks, read the heights off the elevations, and count corners and access points. Then put the footage and height into the free MetreMate scaffolding calculator for bays, lifts and a component list. It runs in any modern browser on a Windows or Mac computer.

See how MetreMate compares

Free calculators for your trade

Quick numbers before you open the plan. Every one shows its working.

Scaffolding calculator

Quote in minutes, not hours

Set the scale once and measure straight off the PDF. Your first measurement takes under 90 seconds, and it's free to start.

Try MetreMate, it's free

No credit card needed

The slow way, or the smart way

What changes when scaffolding contractors measure in MetreMate instead of off a printout.

Without MetreMate

Driving to the jobsite to measure a building before you can bid the scaffold
Scaling elevations off a printed set with an architect scale
Missing a return, a setback or a taller roof line and coming up short on frames

With MetreMate

Measure for elevation and run lengths in linear feet
Perimeter for a scaffold that wraps the building
Count for corners, returns and access points
Layers per elevation, building or phase

Everything you can measure off the plan

Set the scale once, then pull the quantities scaffolding contractors actually quote on.

Lengths in linear feet

Any wall, run or edge measured straight off the plan.

Areas in sq ft

Trace rooms, slabs and roofs for instant square footage.

Perimeters

Boundary and edge runs totaled for you, no maths.

Counts

Tap to count fixtures, fittings, and symbols with live totals.

Step by step

How scaffolding contractors use MetreMate

1
Elevation lengths
Trace each face of the building on the floor plan or site plan with the Measure tool, including returns and setbacks, so every scaffold run has its own length in linear feet.
2
Heights and lifts
Calibrate the elevation sheet and measure from grade to the eave, gutter or parapet. That height sets the top working platform and how many lifts of frames the job needs.
3
Frames, bays and components
Put the run lengths and the height into the free MetreMate scaffolding calculator for bays, lifts and a component list, then price rental, labor and trucking at your own rates.

Read our how-to guides