> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cloudscaff.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cloudscaff.com/site-management/scaffolds/how-to-create-a-scaffold.md).
# How to Create a Scaffold
## Purpose
Provide a controlled, permission-based way to create scaffold records, capture dimensions and hire details, and organize scaffolds within a site.
***
## How to Access
**Sites** → **Select Site** → **Scaffolds Tab** → **Create Scaffold** (+)
***
## Overview
In the **Site** you have selected, click on the tab **SCAFFOLDS**
This will display the scaffold lifecycle accordions
In the bottom right of your screen, click the (+) plus button to create a scaffold
This will bring up the form to build a scaffold
> **Scaffold Details:** Contains key information about the scaffold, including start and end dates, dimensions, and scaffold type.
>
> **Board Details:** Contains information about the scaffold’s working levels.
>
> Both **Scaffold Details** and **Board Details** terminology can be customised in **Business Settings**.\
> **Scaffold Details** can be renamed to *Framework Details* or *Structure Details*\
> **Board Details** can be renamed to *Decks*, *Platforms*, or *Working Levels*\
> \
> *This allows the system to align with your company’s preferred terminology.*
Fill in all required fields and select **CREATE** in the bottom-right corner to create the scaffold.
This creates a scaffold record, which will appear in the **Pending Scaffolds** lifecycle accordion
***
## Step-by-Step Workflow
Once the Add Scaffold form is open
## Scaffold Details
### Enter the **Erection Date** *(Required)*
* Click **Erection Date**
* Select the erection date from the date picker
* This field **must be completed** to continue
### Enter the **Dismantle Date** *(Required)*
* Click **Dismantle Date**
* Select the planned dismantle date
* This field **must be completed** to continue
### **Use Hire** (Optional)
The **Use Hire** toggle is used if you wish to track the hire of a scaffold during a fixed period.
* **Hire Start Date**\
Use this if the hire period starts on a different date from the scaffold erection date.
* **Hire Rate**\
This can be entered as either:
* a **daily hire rate**, or
* a **once-off (lump sum) hire amount**
* **Hire Overrun Rate (Daily Rate)**\
This is a **daily charge** applied when the scaffold remains active beyond the planned dismantle date.
All hire values are **automatically calculated and managed within reports**, where you can view totals, overruns, and hire costs if required.
{% hint style="danger" %}
Using **Use Hire** is completely optional.\
If you do not wish to track hire costs, simply leave the toggle **deactivated (OFF)** and no hire calculations will apply.
{% endhint %}
### Add a **Description** (Optional)
Enter a short, clear description of the scaffold or a unique identifier\
\&#xNAN;*(example: “Main building" or "Internal scaffold code”)*
### Add **Location** (Optional)
Enter the scaffold’s physical location on site\
\&#xNAN;*(example: “North elevation”)*
### Select the **Scaffold Type**
Open the **Scaffold Type** dropdown
Choose the appropriate scaffold type
{% hint style="info" %}
[**Scaffold Types** can be updated in business settings, templates, and under scaffold types](/settings/templates/scaffold-types-template-create-and-edit.md)
{% endhint %}
### Enter Scaffold Dimensions *(Required)*
Enter all scaffold measurements.
The system supports **metres (m)** and **feet (ft)** and will automatically handle the conversion based on your account settings.
* **Length (m / ft)**
* **Width (m / ft)**
* **Height (m / ft)**
### Attachments (Optional)
**Attachments** allow you to add additional scaffold structures that are connected to an existing scaffold.
Attachments are typically used for elements such as:
* Cantilevers
* Buttresses
*Any secondary scaffold structure linked to the main scaffold*
When you click the green **+** button in the **Attachments** section
The system creates a new attachment entry linked to the original scaffold.
Each attachment:
* Is treated as its **own scaffold structure**
* Uses the **same input fields** as a standard scaffold
* Is **tracked independently** for dimensions, weight, type, and reporting
* The **Level** field on an attachment represents the **height of the attachment above ground level or from the base of the structure**.
* Remains **visually and logically linked** to the main scaffold
This allows you to accurately represent complex scaffold builds while keeping all related structures grouped under a single scaffold record.
> **Note:** \
> Attachments are optional. If your scaffold does not require additional connected structures, you can simply leave this section empty.
## Boards Details
The **Boards Details** section is used to record the boards, platforms, decks, or working levels installed on the scaffold.
Each entry represents a **level of boards** installed at a specific **height above the ground or from the base structure**.
### **Board item fields**
**Description (Optional)**\
A short note to describe the board type or usage (for example, timber boards, steel boards, or platform boards).
**Length (m / ft)**
**Width (m / ft)**
**Level (m / ft)**\
The height of the boards above ground level or from the base of the structure.\
**Qty**\
The number of boards installed at this level.
#### **Adding and managing boards**
* Click the green **+** button to add another board item.
* Each item is tracked separately for reporting and measurement purposes.
* Use **Delete** to remove a board item if it was added in error.
> **Note:** \
> Boards are optional but recommended if you want accurate tracking, reporting, and visibility of scaffold platforms.
## Create Scaffold
Once you have entered all scaffold information, click the **CREATE** button in the bottom-right corner to create the scaffold.
***
## What Happens Next
* A new scaffold is saved with an auto-generated code and the current site context.
* The scaffold appears in the Pending Scaffolds list because its initial status is pending-Work In Progress.
* Site and company scaffold totals are incremented.
* All scaffold logs and registers are updated to include the newly added scaffold
{% hint style="info" %}
[Learn more about the scaffold log](/logs/scaffold-log.md)
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
[Learn more about the scaffold register](/site-management/scaffold-register.md)
{% endhint %}
***
## Permissions Required
Permissions related to accessing **job sites, site data, creating and managing scaffolds on sites**.
| Section | Permission | What this allows the user to do |
| ---------------- | ---------- | -------------------------------- |
| Sites: Sites | **View** | View site details and site lists |
| Sites: Scaffolds | **Create** | Create new scaffolds on a site |
***
## Troubleshooting and Common Questions
| Issue | Likely cause | Resolution |
| ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Scaffolds tab is missing | Insufficient permissions | Request access to the scaffolds view permission for your role. |
| Add button does not appear | Site is closed or create permission is missing | Verify site status and your scaffold create access. |
| Create/Update does not save | Required fields are missing | Complete required dimensions and retry. |
| Scaffold is not in the expected list | Status does not match the list’s filter | Check the scaffold’s status value; it appears only in the matching status group. |
| Hire fields are not visible | Use Hire is off | Toggle Use Hire to show hire fields. |
***
## Common Mistakes to Avoid
* Setting a Dismantle Date earlier than the Erection Date.
* Turning off Use Hire after entering rates and expecting them to persist.
* Assuming the Add button will show on closed sites.
* Expecting voided scaffolds to remain visible in the Scaffolds tab.
***
## Related Pages and Links
* [Scaffold Details (open by selecting a scaffold in the list)](/site-management/scaffolds.md)
* [Scaffold Register (tab within the Site view)](/site-management/scaffold-register.md)
* [Site Instructions (if your workflow links instructions to scaffolds)](/site-management/site-instructions.md)