Every rolling scaffold gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Scaffolds are grouped by the highest platform height they reach as sold, under 6 ft, 6 to 10 ft, and 10 ft and up, and use the same scale in every group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per foot of platform height and per 100 lb of capacity | 30% |
| Platform height | highest platform height as sold | 15% |
| Capacity | headline capacity as the maker states it | 20% |
| Features | guardrail, outriggers, 5 in casters, hatch, folding, standards claim and tool shelf | 25% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 10% |
Where the numbers come from
Platform height, capacity, weight, casters, features and warranty come from the maker’s product page or manual, or from the maker’s own copy on a retail listing. The standards claims (OSHA, ANSI, CSA) are the maker’s and are not verified here. Where sources disagree, the maker’s own page wins and the product page notes the difference. Prices are checked at the retailer the page links to.
The factors
Value averages two measures, each on a log scale: the price per foot of platform height ($450 per foot scores zero and $40 per foot full marks) and the price per 100 lb of capacity ($230 scores zero and $25 full marks). If only one of the two can be worked out, that one is used.
Platform height is the highest platform (standing deck) height the product reaches as sold: 24 in scores zero and 240 in (20 ft) full marks. Reach, which adds a standing person, is shown but never scored. A height in a product name that the listing does not define is shown but not scored.
Capacity is the headline rating: 400 lb scores zero and 1,100 lb full marks. Makers word it differently, such as combined user and materials, evenly distributed, or per platform, and the product page quotes the wording. The headline figure is scored as stated.
Features is 25% for a guardrail included in the box, 20% for outriggers included, 15% for casters of 5 in or larger, 10% each for a hatch or trapdoor deck, a scaffold that folds flat, a maker’s OSHA/ANSI/CSA claim, and a tool shelf.
Warranty is the maker’s warranty: 1 year scores zero and 3 years full marks.
What isn’t scored
Weight, assembled size, platform size, the number of units that can be stacked, reach and release date are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. Features score neutral only when none of them is published; a feature the maker doesn’t mention otherwise counts as absent. The exception is warranty: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero, the same as a one-year warranty, and is marked estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.