Site Hoarding Installation in Burwell

Choosing the right hoarding for your site

Site hoarding is not a one-size-fits-all product. The material, height, finish, and fixing method all affect how long the hoarding lasts, how secure it is, and what it costs. Understanding your options before you commit means you end up with a solution that actually suits the project, rather than something that causes problems halfway through a build.

This page works through the main materials and configurations used on construction sites in Burwell and the wider area, with honest notes on what each option does well and where it falls short.

Timber hoarding panels: the standard choice

Structural timber framing clad with exterior-grade sheet boarding is the most widely used system for site hoarding in the UK. The frame is typically built from 75mm x 100mm or 100mm x 100mm sawn timber, with OSB, plywood, or feather-edge boarding on the public-facing side.

Pros: Timber hoarding is straightforward to construct and adapt on site. Panels can be cut to follow sloped or irregular ground. It accepts fixings easily, so signage, project boards, and lock hardware can all be added without specialist equipment. It is widely understood by building inspectors and planning officers. At end of project, panels can often be reused on another site.

Cons: Timber is susceptible to moisture if left untreated or if water sits at the base of the panels. On long-running projects, panel bases can rot if they are in direct contact with wet ground. Gravel or a concrete kicker at the base of the run helps here, but it adds to the setup cost. Timber also needs periodic inspection on projects lasting more than a few months.

Plywood vs OSB facing: does it matter?

Plywood facing gives a cleaner, smoother surface and is the better choice where the hoarding will be painted, branded, or wrapped. OSB is cheaper and performs well structurally, but its rough texture makes a poor base for any kind of surface finish.

For sites in Burwell where the hoarding runs alongside a public path or frontage, a smooth plywood face and a coat of paint makes for a noticeably more professional appearance. Where hoarding is entirely within a private site boundary and out of public view, OSB is a perfectly sound choice.

Panel height options

Standard site hoarding height is 2.4 metres. This is what most planning conditions and CDM principal contractors will specify as a minimum. Taller panels, typically 3.0 metres or 3.6 metres, are used where:

• The site involves deep excavations close to the boundary
• Scaffold is within reach of the top of a standard panel
• A planning condition specifically requires a greater height
• The client or principal contractor requires an additional safety margin

Taller panels require heavier posts and deeper foundations to remain stable, which adds to both material and labour costs. For most residential refurbishments and modest commercial sites, 2.4 metres is sufficient.

Post and foundation methods

How the hoarding is supported matters as much as the panels themselves. The main methods are:

• Driven timber posts: Quick to install on grass or soft ground. Not suitable for hard standings or sites where excavation cannot be used.
• Concrete-filled post sockets: The most stable method on hard ground. Posts are set into ground sockets and packed with concrete, giving a rigid installation that does not shift in wind.
• Kentledge feet: Weighted steel feet that sit on the surface. Useful where digging is not possible, such as on a shared surface or over services. Stability depends on the weight of the kentledge blocks, and the run must be braced to prevent racking.

On sites in and around Burwell, ground conditions vary, and the right method for one site may not suit another. A site visit before quoting allows us to confirm the correct fixing method.

Access gates: types and positions

Every hoarding run needs at least one access gate. For most sites, a double-leaf gate 3.0 metres to 4.0 metres wide gives enough clearance for a standard delivery lorry. Single-leaf pedestrian gates are added separately to avoid opening the full vehicle gate for foot traffic.

Gates should be lockable at all times outside working hours. A padlock and chain is the minimum; for higher-risk sites a five-lever lock morticed into the gate post is a better choice. Gates must also be braced internally so they cannot be lifted from the hinges.

Temporary vs long-term hoarding: what changes?

A project lasting two to four weeks has different requirements from one running six to twelve months. Short projects can often use a lighter panel construction, while longer projects benefit from treated timber, a concrete or paved base detail, and periodic structural checks.

Hoarding left in place over a winter needs to account for frost heave if posts are in the ground, and for the additional wind loading that comes with seasonal storms. These are not reasons to over-engineer every job, but they are worth discussing with the contractor before the panels go up.

Typical costs for site hoarding

Site hoarding costs in the UK typically range from around £40 to £90 per linear metre for supply and installation of a standard 2.4-metre timber panel run, depending on ground conditions, access, the fixing method used, and whether gates are included. Taller panels, treated timber, or branded finishes all push the figure higher. Dismantling and removal at the end of a project is usually priced separately and is worth confirming at the quoting stage.

These figures are indicative. The only reliable number is a quote based on your specific site. Call Haverhill Fencers with the approximate perimeter length, the height you need, and any known ground conditions, and we can give you a realistic figure for your Burwell project.

Areas we cover from Haverhill

We install hoarding in Burwell and across a broad area from our Haverhill base, including nearby communities such as Sible Hedingham, Sudbury, Stambourne, Shalford, Ridgewell, Poslingford, and Stoke by Clare. If your project is in or around Burwell, get in touch to arrange a site visit.