Safe working platform to fix the outside of my house

I was fixing gutters today and realised one required a lot more than a few replacement parts.



The fascia is rotten and needs replacing. I’ve known since first viewing my house that there is a lot of work to be done externally. I have a ladder that lets me get to 5m / 17ft / second floor windows which is ok for small scale stuff. I need something where I can safely work at 5-7m / 17-23 ft up.

Here’s an example picture showing things that need inspecting and then replacing, painting etc.



In Singapore, I’d hire some guys to build a framework out of bamboo. It would be cheap and quick and 100% renewable. (Bamboo is used extensively in SE Asia. It can easily withstand typhoon winds which would bring down traditional scaffolding due to it’s flexibility - this is not a short cut solution).

In the UK, I’d have to look for a scaffolder and then cry when the quotes came back.

I’m now in the US and have no idea what the norm is (which I will probably avoid as it won’t be very permie). If I’m doing it myself on my own land and I’m the only one using it, can I do what I like? I have a few thoughts.

Renting something like this isn’t an option.


None of my local big box places are accepting rentals due to high demand and I would have to hire a big vehicle to get it home. It’s also $500 a month + taxes and only 15ft high.

Looking out on Craigslist etc. to buy and then sell back when I’m done.

Build something out of 2 x 4 and then reuse the lumber or chop it up for firewood when I’m done. (This is probably my preferred option) . . . But back to my earlier question about “can I do what I like. . . “ Even if it leads to a Darwin Award!

Edward, I would go for what will work and dont worry about the consequences.
Remember if it turns out bad, but your survive, you become an official 'Stupid Tester', one who has actually proved a particular action is stupid.
Most people speculate on what is stupid, ONLY a Stupid Tester has proved it.
There is a topic here by Scandi I think where I listed a number of clever structures that may work for you.
Some attached to the building and some not.
Those walls look high and I guess a decent platform will be better than a ladder.
There are platforms that clip to a ladder leaning against the wall that enable a plank to run between the ladders.
Do you think some sort of safety harness over the roof would be useful?

Here is the link to a topic I have shown platform ideas on.
https://permies.com/t/140677/Skandi-Beachtree-farm

Scaffolding is pretty neat to work with.  If you have a network of people that do tradeswork, you might be able to borrow some scaffolding from one of them when they don't need it.  That's how I did exterior window trim on my 2nd story.  Later when working on a greenhouse I'd met another homesteader with some scaffolding that was gathering rust that I could borrow for a year.

Buying it used, using it for a couple years and then selling it for what you bought it for would be the next best way to get some.