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Scaffolder (Gerüstbauer)

Scaffolders build the access system that keeps projects moving: façade scaffolds, industrial scaffolds, stair towers, platforms, guardrails, toe boards, and anchoring/ties. This page summarizes realistic site expectations for English-speaking onboarding flows on Germany-based projects.

Locations: Berlin / Hamburg / Munich / NRW (project-based) Language: English onboarding • Basic German helps Pay format: all rates are gross (brutto) Safety: working at height • strict site rules
Last updated:
CV is mandatory. We do not review candidates without a CV. Use the CV builder: https://mavial.pl/en/cv.html.
CV tip: specify scaffold type (façade/industrial), system (ringlock/cuplock/modular), anchoring experience, and whether you worked as erector, lead hand, or material runner.
Scaffolding is a safety-critical trade. Sites may remove workers quickly for repeated violations (missing guardrails, wrong sequence, unsecured decks, unsafe access). Your screening focuses heavily on safety discipline.
Work scope
Assembly + dismantling
Platforms • guardrails • stair towers

Scaffolders create safe access for other trades. Quality means stable geometry, correct anchoring/ties, clean decks, and consistent guardrails and toe boards.

Gross pay baseline
≥ €13.90 / hour
Germany minimum wage (gross, 2026)

From January 1, 2026, Germany’s statutory minimum wage is €13.90 gross per hour. This job page communicates pay as gross (brutto).

Example only: 40h/week at €13.90 ≈ €2,409 gross/month (varies by hours, shifts, and assignment structure).

Site reality
Sequence matters
Correct steps • clean handover

The best crews work in a clean sequence: stable base, correct verticals, decks, guardrails, ties, and safe access. “Almost safe” is treated as unsafe.

What you will do

Core responsibilities (Scaffolder / Gerüstbauer)

  • Assemble and dismantle scaffolding according to system rules and site instructions.
  • Install decks, guardrails, toe boards, access ladders/stairs, and ensure safe movement routes.
  • Apply anchoring/ties and stabilization elements as required; keep geometry correct.
  • Handle materials: load/unload components, stage parts, keep walk paths clear.
  • Support inspection readiness: consistent guardrails, locked decks, clean platforms, and proper access points.
  • Work safely at height and follow German site safety expectations (PPE, permits, access control).
Quality checkpoints (what supervisors look at)
Typical acceptance signals: stable base (sole boards/base plates as needed), correct vertical alignment, continuous guardrails and toe boards, clean decks (no gaps/loose parts), safe access, correct ties/anchors, and disciplined housekeeping.
What we look for

Requirements (detailed)

Mandatory for review

  • A complete CV in English (PDF preferred). No CV means no screening.
  • Current location (country/city) + availability date + reachable phone/WhatsApp.
  • Evidence of scaffolding experience: types (façade/industrial), systems, and tasks.

Capability expectations (site-ready)

  • Heights readiness: stable behavior at height, consistent PPE discipline, no risky shortcuts.
  • Physical fitness: repetitive lifting/carrying, stairs, and sustained pace in a crew environment.
  • Sequence discipline: correct assembly order, guardrails and toe boards installed when required, safe access maintained.
  • Anchoring logic: understanding that ties/anchors and stability elements are non-negotiable.
  • Housekeeping: clear platforms, secured parts, no loose components near edges.

Strong advantages

  • Basic German (A1–A2) for safety briefings and site signage.
  • Experience with industrial scaffolds, stair towers, or complex geometry.
  • Ability to lead a small crew segment and keep the sequence safe and productive.
Short portrait

The candidate we can place fastest

You are a disciplined scaffolder who follows safe sequence automatically: stable base, correct verticals, clean decks, continuous guardrails, correct ties/anchors, and safe access. You can explain which scaffold systems you worked with, what you built (façade/industrial/stair towers), and how you maintain inspection-ready standards.

High-impact CV line example: “2024 • Hamburg • façade scaffold • modular system • installed decks/guardrails/toe boards, applied anchors, maintained access routes, supported handover checks.”
Working from a Polish company in Germany

Typical assignment model (no external links)

Some Germany scaffolding projects run with operational coordination from a Polish company, with work performed on Germany sites in project cycles. The exact setup depends on the site, the client, and compliance requirements.

  • English-friendly onboarding: site rules, PPE, access procedures, and daily coordination basics.
  • Timesheets and discipline: accurate timekeeping and predictable attendance are essential on many sites.
  • Gross pay clarity: wages are communicated as gross (brutto); settlement rules follow the agreed model.
  • Operational coordination: typical topics include accommodation coordination, start logistics, and tools/workwear expectations (site-specific).
  • Safety enforcement: scaffolding is audited frequently; guardrails, toe boards, anchors, and access routes must be consistent.
For permit/legalization support on the Poland-side process, use: https://mavial.pl/zezwolenie.html
This page is informational and not legal advice. Final eligibility depends on nationality, documents, and authorities’ decisions.
Work authorization (non-EU)

Reality check: Germany requires a legal route

For non-EU candidates, the primary barrier is usually the legal route, not language. Skilled and documented profiles typically have more realistic pathways than entry-level profiles.

  • Skilled worker route (§18a): realistic when a vocational qualification can be recognized and the profile matches the role.
  • Site verification: identity and access compliance are checked before work starts.
  • Consistency matters: CV dates, roles, and documents should match—mismatches slow or stop processing.

This is general information and not legal advice. Final eligibility depends on nationality, documents, employer requirements, and authorities.

Pay (gross/brutto)

Minimum wage baseline (Germany, 2026)

From January 1, 2026, Germany’s statutory minimum wage is €13.90 gross per hour.

On this job category, pay is communicated as gross (brutto). Exact gross pay and hours depend on the project and the agreed employment/assignment structure.

What strong candidates clarify early

  • Gross hourly rate in writing and typical weekly hours.
  • How overtime is approved and recorded (site rules vary).
  • What is expected regarding tools, PPE, and workwear on that specific site.
Documents

Prepare these before applying

  • CV in English (PDF) + contact details
  • Passport scan + current location (country/city)
  • Certificates/licenses (if applicable)
  • Short project list: scaffold type, system, dates, tasks, crew role

Clear documentation reduces verification time and improves response rates.

How to apply

Fast, structured application

  1. Create/Upload your CV: mavial.pl/en/cv.html
  2. Send your profile via the contact page: mavial.pl/kontakt.html
  3. We review fit, verify documents, and contact you if the profile matches active demand.

No CV — no review. This rule protects processing time and ensures fair screening.

Role story (unique text)

A typical day for scaffolders on Germany sites

Scaffolding days are planned around sequencing and inspection readiness. The morning starts with access rules, a quick risk check, and a clear build plan: what sections must be safe and complete before other trades arrive.

Strong scaffolders build “predictably safe” structures: clean decks, continuous guardrails, correct ties/anchors, and access routes that do not tempt shortcuts.

Supervisors value discipline: correct parts, correct steps, tidy staging, and immediate correction of unsafe gaps.

FAQ (unique set)

Questions candidates ask most

Do I need German to work as a scaffolder in Germany?

English onboarding is possible on some international sites, but basic German (A1–A2) helps with safety briefings, signage, and coordination.

What should I include in a scaffolder CV?

Scaffold type (façade/industrial), system (ringlock/cuplock/modular), tasks (decks/guardrails/ties/access), and your crew role (erector/lead/material).

Why do sites screen scaffolders so strictly?

Scaffolding is an access and safety system for all other trades. Sites enforce strict standards because failures create high risk and stop production.

How is pay shown on this page?

Pay is communicated as gross (brutto). Any compliant arrangement must respect Germany’s statutory minimum wage level from January 1, 2026 (€13.90 gross/hour).

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