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- 19 ft Scissor LiftIndoor ceilings, lighting, drywallFrom $150/dayBook the 19 ft Scissor Lift
- 30 ft Scissor LiftHigher ceilings, siding, warehouse workFrom $215/dayBook the 30 ft Scissor Lift
Free pickup in Pierce County; exact location sent after booking. Delivery is $200 each way; your job-site address is checked at checkout.
Painting and drywall jobs that fit
A ladder works for one corner. For a tall wall or a whole ceiling, a scissor lift raises a railed platform straight up, so you roll a long section, lower it, move over and keep going. Jobs that fit:
- Vaulted and cathedral ceilings: Cutting in and rolling a vaulted ceiling and the tall wall under the peak. 19 ft scissor lift
- Two-story entries and open foyers: The tall walls above an entry, worked from the level floor below, not from the stairs. 19 ft scissor lift
- Ceiling drywall: hanging, taping and patching: Taping, mudding and patching ceiling seams and tall walls, with tools beside you on the platform. 19 ft scissor lift
- Shop, garage and pole building interiors: High walls, ceilings and trusses over a concrete floor. 30 ft scissor lift
- Churches, gyms and event halls: Ceilings and upper walls in big rooms, section by section on a firm, level floor. 30 ft scissor lift
- Siding, trim and soffits outside: Its listed jobs include siding and exterior painting. Plan for firm, level ground. 30 ft scissor lift
Lights or fans going up on the same ceiling? See the ceiling and lighting scissor lift guide.
19 ft or 30 ft?
The 19 ft scissor lift is listed for indoor work on firm, level surfaces. Its listing names painting and drywall, along with lighting, sprinklers, HVAC and retail fixtures.
The 30 ft scissor lift is listed for firm, level surfaces and higher work: high ceilings, warehouses, shops, gutters and siding, exterior painting and event setup.
Measure from the floor to the highest spot you need to reach. Specs are available on request, so call or email us with that number before you book. Side-by-side rates: 19 ft vs 30 ft scissor lift guide.
Check the floor and the way in
Before the lift arrives, check the listing and these points:
- Level surface: both lifts are listed for firm, level surfaces. Stairs, steps and sloped driveways are not level.
- Doorways and hallways: measure the narrowest door, gate or hall on the way in, and note steps or raised thresholds.
- Floor protection: on finished wood, tile or carpet, ask us before you book what you can lay down under the lift and still keep the floor firm and level.
- Overhead: note fans, fixtures, beams, ducts and sprinkler heads.
- Clear the room: move furniture out first.
Older home? Check for lead paint before you sand or scrape
Repainting usually starts with scraping and sanding. In a home built before 1978, that prep can stir up lead dust.
- Find the year the home was built. EPA’s Lead-Safe Renovations for DIYers page says homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint, and the older the home, the more likely it is. It recommends testing by a lead inspector or risk assessor, and says to assume lead-based paint if you can’t find out the age.
- Use lead-safe work practices. The same EPA page lists seven steps: find out if lead-based paint is present, set up safely, protect yourself, minimize dust, leave the work area clean, control your waste and clean one more time. It says to mist areas before sanding or scraping.
- Sanding spreads it. The Washington Department of Health’s remodeling and painting page says unsafe removal of old paint, such as pressure washing or sanding, may contaminate a home with lead dust.
- Who the rules cover. EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting program page says the RRP rule generally does not apply to homeowners working on their own pre-1978 homes, but does apply if you rent out all or part of the home, run a child care center in it, or renovate and sell homes for profit.
- Paid work in Washington. The Department of Commerce runs the state’s RRP program. Its RRP page says RRP certification is required if you or your business do renovation, repair or painting work on pre-1978 homes or child-occupied facilities.
Summaries for planning only; follow the official text on each linked page.
Washington lift safety and training
Washington L&I’s Chapter 296-869 WAC, Elevating work platforms covers scissor lifts. In short:
- WAC 296-869-50005: employers must permit only trained and authorized personnel to operate them.
- WAC 296-869-50010: operators read the manufacturer’s instructions and decals, are shown each control by a qualified person, and demonstrate proficiency.
- WAC 296-869-60010: the operator surveys the area before and during use for hazards such as holes, slopes, overhead lines, wind and weather.
- OSHA Hazard Alert: Working Safely with Scissor Lifts (PDF) covers fall protection, stabilization, positioning and worker training.
- The OSHA eTool on scissor lifts says to select work locations that do not approach power lines or transformers by at least 10 feet.
Operator not included. You or your trained crew run the equipment.
Summaries for planning only; follow the linked official text.
Day, weekend or week?
19 ft lift: $150 a day, so 2 days is $300 and 3 days is $450. The week rate is $400, less than 3 days at the day rate. The weekend rate is $210 (Friday 9 AM pickup to Monday 3 PM return), less than 2 days.
30 ft lift: $215 a day, so 2 days is $430 and 3 days is $645. The week rate is $650, less than 4 days at the day rate. The weekend rate is $290 (Friday 9 AM pickup to Monday 3 PM return), less than 2 days.
Prep, two coats and drying time add up. Need the lift 3 days or more? Compare the week rate first.
Prices are before WA sales tax and the 1.25% heavy equipment rental tax where it applies. Your exact total shows at checkout.
Questions
What size scissor lift do I need to paint a vaulted ceiling?
Measure from the floor to the highest point you need to paint. The 19 ft lift is listed for indoor painting and drywall; the 30 ft lift is for high ceilings, warehouses and shops. Specs are available on request, so send us your ceiling height before you book.
Is a scissor lift good for drywall on a high ceiling?
For taping and patching a whole ceiling, yes. The railed platform goes straight up, so both hands are free. Lower it and roll to the next seam.
Do I need to test for lead paint before I sand or scrape?
If the home was built before 1978, plan for it. EPA says pre-1978 homes may have lead-based paint and recommends testing by a lead inspector or risk assessor. If you can't find out the age, EPA says to assume lead-based paint and use its lead-safe work practices.
Can I use the 30 ft lift to paint siding or soffits?
The 30 ft lift is listed for firm, level surfaces, and its listed jobs include siding and exterior painting. The 19 ft lift is listed for indoor work.
How much does it cost to rent a scissor lift for painting?
The 19 ft lift is $150 a day, $210 a weekend or $400 a week. The 30 ft lift is $215 a day, $290 a weekend or $650 a week, before tax. Your exact total shows at checkout.
More guides: all rental guides. Which guide fits your job? Racking, signs or sprinkler access in a warehouse: warehouse lift guide.