How the ReechCraft PowerMast Delivered a Seamless Courtyard Access Solution for Sunbelt Rentals
U Pointe on Speight, a student housing complex in Waco, Texas, required comprehensive exterior renovations, including structural updates, repainting, and siding repairs due to water damage. With limited space on site, multiple elevations to access, and residents occupying the property throughout the project, Sunbelt Rentals was tasked with providing access equipment to the contractor that balanced efficiency with minimal disruption.
The Challenge With Courtyard Access
Nate Gawlik, Account Manager at Sunbelt Rentals Scaffold Service in Austin, Texas, worked with the contractor and apartment complex to find the right solution for this project.
Several challenges were identified:
- Cost constraints: The customer needed a system that could provide full coverage with access to multiple elevations around the entire complex and also fit within their predetermined budget.
- Flexible coverage requirements: Because the apartment building requires access to every exterior surface for siding replacement, the solution needed to offer comprehensive wall-to-wall coverage.
- Resident experience: Noise, obstructed views, and general disruption were major concerns among residents, making low‑impact equipment a priority.
- Obstructed access and limited space: The courtyard included pergola structures, balconies, narrow pathways, and tight access between buildings, complicating traditional equipment placement.
- Roof limitations: The roof could not support the anticipated loads, and there were no anchorage points available, eliminating swing stages and other roof‑rigged systems as viable options.
Why Sunbelt Chose the ReechCraft PowerMast
After considering traditional scaffolding, swing stages, and the ReechCraft PowerMast, there was a clear winner that was capable of addressing each challenge without introducing any new complications.
Following a detailed discussion with Nate at Sunbelt Rentals, the customer selected the PowerMast wall-tied system due to its cost‑effectiveness, flexibility, and minimal invasiveness—all while delivering the height access required for full exterior siding replacement.
Cost Efficiency
When reviewing options, Nate immediately pointed out the cost advantages of ReechCraft:
“There are a lot of situations where scaffolding just doesn’t make sense from a cost standpoint—you’re sometimes looking at over 100 grand in just scaffold equipment.”
– Nate Gawlik, Account Manager at Sunbelt Rentals Scaffold Service
The PowerMast provided the full height and lateral reach needed at a fraction of the cost of traditional alternatives. It also eliminated the need for a large labor force, lengthy setup times, and heavy structural loading — all major contributors to jobsite expenses.
For this project, the PowerMast aligned perfectly with the apartment complex’s budget while still delivering everything the crew needed to complete the work efficiently.
Versatile Access
ReechCraft’s design made it an exceptional fit for a courtyard packed with obstacles. Pergolas, balconies, and tight angles posed major challenges for scaffolding and swing stages. With compact components and flexible configuration options, the PowerMast allowed crews to work around obstacles effortlessly.
In addition, the system’s small footprint and modular design enabled efficient operation in narrow pathways and tight building clearances—areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Minimal Disruption
In an active apartment community, minimizing disruption was non‑negotiable.
Nate explained how the PowerMast helped preserve residents’ daily experience: “With the ReechCraft PowerMast at the end of the day, it goes down to the ground and sits by the bushes, and nobody really notices it.”
With fewer tie‑ins, no rooftop rigging, and the ability to lower platforms out of sight each evening, the system greatly reduced noise, visual obstruction, and general inconvenience.
Safety Compliance
Because the building’s roof couldn’t support heavy loads and lacked anchorage points, swing stages and other rooftop systems were not an option.
The PowerMast’s wall‑tied capability allowed the crew to bypass the roof entirely, offering a safer, code‑compliant alternative without requiring structural modifications or rooftop access.
Compact Portability
Nate also highlighted one often‑overlooked advantage: transportation efficiency.
“You can fit everything you need for three ReechCraft platforms on one truck. If it was scaffolding, it would’ve required multiple 18‑wheelers.”
This not only reduced freight costs but also simplified logistics for both Sunbelt and the customer.
Project Execution
Sunbelt deployed three ReechCraft platforms simultaneously across the courtyard, allowing crews to work on multiple sections of the building at once.
The project lasted approximately three months, with the PowerMast’s ease of repositioning playing a major role in keeping the timeline efficient and predictable.
By supplying the PowerMast, Sunbelt Rentals delivered a solution that met every challenge head‑on — improving jobsite efficiency, reducing labor demands, and keeping residents satisfied throughout the process. The experience reinforced why ReechCraft continues to be a go‑to access solution for Sunbelt Rentals and their customers.
About ReechCraft
Since our founding in 1993, ReechCraft has set itself apart with innovative products and first-rate services. We strive to find new access solutions to meet the needs of every craftsman. If you have questions about any of our American-made products, have a custom application, want to place an order or would like additional information about our dealer program, give us a call at (888) 600-6160 or fill out our online contact form.
