Site Hoarding Installation in Great Shelford

What site hoarding actually does on a construction site

Site hoarding is a temporary timber barrier erected around a construction area to keep unauthorised people out, protect the public from site hazards, and give your project a defined, controlled perimeter. It is required on most building sites where work is happening close to a public footpath, pavement, or neighbouring property. Without it, you risk liability for injuries and may fall foul of site safety requirements before a single brick is laid.

We install hoarding panels for building sites, refurbishments, and temporary works across Haverhill and the surrounding area, including Great Shelford and nearby places. Panels are typically 2.4 metres high, constructed from sheet timber fixed to upright posts, and can be adapted to suit the shape and scale of your site.

Choosing the right contractor - the question most people skip

When a build is about to start, hoarding is often treated as an afterthought. A phone call is made, the cheapest quote is accepted, and the work goes ahead. That works out fine sometimes. But when it does not, the problems range from panels blowing over in the wind to gaps that let children onto the site, to hoarding that is not set out correctly and has to be moved before groundworks can proceed.

Choosing a hoarding contractor carefully takes twenty minutes and can save you significant cost and delay. Here is what to ask before you agree to anything.

Seven questions to ask any hoarding contractor before you sign

• How will the posts be fixed? Driven posts into soft ground, weighted bases on hard standings, and drilled fixings into concrete all behave differently. A contractor who cannot explain which they will use - and why - on your specific site is guessing.
• What panel dimensions do you use? Standard panels are usually 2.4m x 1.2m or 2.4m x 2.4m. Knowing this tells you whether they will fit your site layout without awkward off-cuts and joins.
• How are panels braced? Timber hoarding needs diagonal bracing on the inside face to resist wind load. Ask to see photographs of previous installations, not just a brochure.
• What is the handover process? Once hoarding is up, who checks it before your build team takes possession? There should be a walkround to confirm panels are plumb, braced, and that gates close and lock properly.
• Will you obtain any necessary licences? If hoarding crosses a public footpath or pavement, a hoarding licence from the relevant local authority is typically required. Ask who is responsible for this, and make sure it is clear in writing before work starts.
• What is the agreed dismantling date and what happens if the project overruns? Projects do overrun. Agree in advance what the extension process looks like and whether there are additional costs.
• Can you provide references from similar projects? A domestic extension hoarding is a different job from a commercial refurbishment in a town centre. Ask for references from projects comparable to yours.

Red flags to watch for when you get quotes

A quote with no site visit attached is a concern. Hoarding needs to be measured and the ground conditions assessed before any sensible price can be given. A contractor quoting purely from a phone description is likely pricing for average conditions that may not match your site.

Be cautious if the quote does not separate labour and materials. If something goes wrong or the scope changes, you need to know what each element costs. A single-line quote gives you nothing to work with in a dispute.

Very low prices often mean lighter-gauge timber, fewer braces, and shallow post depths. Hoarding that fails mid-project does not just cost money to fix - it can halt work entirely while the perimeter is made safe again.

What a well-priced job looks like

Typical UK costs for timber site hoarding installation run from around £35 to £65 per linear metre, depending on panel height, post fixing method, and site access. A straightforward domestic site with 20 linear metres of hoarding might cost £700 to £1,300 for supply and installation. Larger commercial sites or those requiring a hoarding licence, traffic management, or work on a public highway will cost more. Dismantling is usually charged separately at roughly £15 to £30 per linear metre.

These figures are a useful starting point, but your site conditions - hard or soft ground, access restrictions, proximity to the public - will move the price one way or the other. Always get at least two itemised quotes so you are comparing like for like.

What the contract should cover

Before any hoarding goes up, you should have a written agreement that confirms the linear metres of hoarding, the panel height, the post fixing method, the start and planned completion dates, the dismantling date, who is responsible for the hoarding licence if one is needed, and the process for extending the hire period if the project runs long.

If any of those points are missing from what a contractor gives you, ask for them to be added. A contractor who resists that is worth walking away from.

How Haverhill Fencers approaches the job

We install timber hoarding panels from our base in Haverhill and work in Great Shelford and nearby villages. We assess ground conditions before pricing, use braced panels to a consistent standard, and walk the perimeter with you before we consider the installation complete. If you need hoarding for a domestic extension, a commercial refurbishment, or temporary works, call us to discuss your site and get a proper itemised quote based on an actual look at what you need.