Site Hoarding Installation in Glemsford - What to Do Before We Arrive

What site hoarding is and why it has to go up before work starts

Site hoarding is a temporary timber barrier that encloses a construction or refurbishment site. It keeps the public away from open excavations, heavy plant, and falling materials. It prevents unauthorised access overnight. And it gives the project a defined, controlled boundary that satisfies site safety requirements. On most sites where work is happening near a pavement, footpath, or neighbouring property, hoarding needs to be in place before the main build work begins - not partway through.

We install and dismantle timber hoarding panels in Glemsford and across the surrounding area from our base in Haverhill. We also cover nearby places including Sudbury and villages further out. The period between booking the work and us arriving on site is one where clients sometimes make decisions that cause problems. This page is about how to use that time well, and what not to do.

Useful things to do while you are waiting for installation

There are several things you can prepare before we arrive that make the installation faster, smoother, and less likely to encounter problems on the day.

Mark out the hoarding line

Use builder's line or spray paint to mark where you want the hoarding to run. This does not need to be precise to the centimetre, but having a clear indication of the intended boundary avoids time spent on the day discussing where gates should go and which corners need to be squared off. If the hoarding line will come close to any underground services, mark those too - or have a survey carried out before we arrive.

Identify the ground conditions

Posts can be driven into soft ground, set in concrete, or supported in weighted bases on hard standings. The method depends on what is underfoot. If you know you have made-up ground, a layer of concrete beneath topsoil, or recently disturbed ground from previous works, tell us before the day. Surprises about ground conditions on installation day add time and sometimes cost.

Confirm access to the site

We will need to get a vehicle and materials to the installation point. If access is restricted - a narrow lane, parked cars, overhead cables, low branches - let us know when you book. Access issues that appear on the day can add hours to a job that should take a morning.

Think about gate positions

Where do deliveries arrive from? Where do site personnel enter? Is there a separate pedestrian gate needed alongside a vehicle access gate? Gate positions that have been thought through before installation day mean the layout works for the project from the start, rather than being moved later.

Check whether a hoarding licence is needed

If any part of the hoarding will cross or overhang a public pavement or footpath, a hoarding licence from the local authority is typically required before work can start. This is the client's responsibility to obtain in most cases, though we can advise on what is usually needed. Applying for a licence takes time - do not leave it until installation week.

What to leave alone until we arrive

The period between booking and installation sometimes leads clients to try and get ahead of the job. Most of the time that is helpful. But there are a few things that cause real problems when clients do them before we arrive.

Do not drive posts yourself

Post depth and spacing have a direct effect on how much wind load the hoarding can resist. A post driven at the wrong depth or the wrong spacing creates a section that looks fine but will fail in a moderate wind. Post driving also requires the right equipment to ensure the post stays plumb. If you drive posts before we arrive, we may not be able to use them and will need to reset them, adding cost and time to the job.

Do not order panels without checking dimensions

Standard hoarding panels are typically 2.4m x 1.2m or 2.4m x 2.4m, but the specific dimensions affect how corners, gates, and junctions work. If you order panels independently without confirming with us first, there is a real chance they will not match the fixing system or post spacing we use, and the installation will not go together cleanly.

Do not start groundworks inside the line before hoarding is up

Excavating or disturbing ground inside the proposed hoarding line before the perimeter is secured creates a hazard. If the site is near a public area, the open ground is unprotected. It can also affect post fixings if excavation gets close to the intended post positions.

Do not make assumptions about the hoarding licence

A common problem is a client assuming the licence has been applied for when it has not - or assuming the contractor is handling it when the responsibility sits with the client. Confirm in writing who is making the application and by when, before the installation date is set.

What the installation day looks like

On the day itself, we assess the marked line against the actual ground conditions, fix posts at the agreed spacings, attach panels, brace each section internally, and hang and align gates. Before we leave, we walk the full perimeter with you to confirm panels are plumb, bracing is secure, and gates operate and lock correctly. Any adjustments are made before we go.

Larger or more complex sites take longer, particularly if ground conditions vary around the perimeter.

What does site hoarding installation cost?

Typical UK costs for supply and erection of timber site hoarding run from around £35 to £65 per linear metre, depending on panel height, post fixing method, access, and whether a hoarding licence is required. Dismantling is usually a separate charge at around £15 to £30 per linear metre. For a domestic site with 25 linear metres of hoarding, total installation cost might fall anywhere from £875 to £1,625 - with dismantling on top at project end.

Any quote that covers only the installation without mentioning dismantling is incomplete. Make sure both are itemised before you agree to anything.

Get in touch before your project starts

If you have a build or refurbishment coming up in Glemsford and you need hoarding installed, call Haverhill Fencers to talk through what the site requires. The earlier in the project timeline we have that conversation, the more straightforwardly installation day goes.