In today’s construction landscape, visibility and professionalism are vital, even for the smallest of sites. Whether you're working on a compact residential renovation or a small commercial refurbishment, having clear and compliant hoarding is a must. But site hoarding doesn’t need to cost a fortune. With a bit of forward planning and smart material choices, you can create effective hoarding that keeps costs low while still delivering on safety and branding.
In this blog, we’ll explore practical cost-saving ideas that can help small-scale projects manage their hoarding requirements efficiently, without compromising on quality or compliance.
Plan Ahead to Avoid Overspending
One of the most common reasons for unnecessary costs in small-scale site hoarding is a lack of planning. Leaving decisions to the last minute often results in express printing charges, emergency delivery fees, or rushed installation services.
Planning early gives you time to:
Get accurate site measurements, which helps avoid ordering too many or too few panels.
Compare quotes from different suppliers for hoarding printing.
Prepare a clear design brief that maximises each printed panel.
When you work with a trusted hoarding provider early in your project, you can often take advantage of cost-efficient design suggestions, smart material swaps, and realistic lead times.
Use Standard-Sized Panels
Standardisation is a key money-saver in the printing and signage industry. Most suppliers stock materials in standard sizes, such as 8ft x 4ft (2440mm x 1220mm) sheets. Designing your hoarding around these dimensions means:
No need for cutting or resizing.
Faster turnaround in production.
Reduced wastage of material.
If you try to use non-standard sizes or awkward measurements, you might pay more in customisation costs than you need to. Keeping your design to standard hoarding panel sizes also makes it easier to reuse them in the future.
Choose Cost-Effective Materials
Not all site hoarding needs to be built from expensive or heavy-duty materials. For short-term or low-impact projects, there are many budget-friendly alternatives that still look professional.
Recommended cost-effective materials:
Correx boards – Lightweight, weather-resistant, and perfect for short-term use.
Foamex panels – Smooth and rigid, great for printed branding or visual impact.
Aluminium composite panels – A more durable option that’s still cost-efficient for mid-term installations.
Think about where the hoarding is placed. If it’s in a sheltered, low-traffic area, lighter materials may be perfectly suitable. Save sturdier panels for more exposed or high-footfall zones.
Design for Reusability
Why spend money printing new hoarding every time you start a project? Designing hoarding graphics with reusability in mind can cut long-term costs significantly.
Here’s how to do it:
Keep branding general: Use your company logo, colours, and generic messaging.
Add customisation overlays: Use small vinyl stickers or replaceable information panels for location-specific details like site names or project dates.
Modular layouts: Design panels that can be rearranged or combined differently depending on site layout.
Reusable hoarding saves money and reduces waste—a win-win for both budget and sustainability.
Go for Partial Coverage
Many small construction sites don’t need full 360-degree printed coverage. In most cases, only the hoarding facing the public or street traffic needs to be branded. The rest can be plain or use blank panels to keep things simple.
Tips for partial coverage:
Focus branding and messaging on the front elevation.
Use cost-effective construction safety signs and decals for side and rear panels.
Consider just a few strategically placed printed panels with high visibility rather than full wraps.
This approach still creates a professional image but can reduce printing costs by 50% or more.
Combine Safety & Branding Smartly
Construction sites are legally required to display safety signage. Instead of buying separate safety boards and branding panels, why not combine both into one design?
For example:
Integrate mandatory construction safety signs into your hoarding panel design using your company colours.
Create one large branded panel that includes your logo, site rules, PPE requirements, and emergency contacts.
Use infographics and branded icons for a sleek, informative design.
Combining information into fewer boards reduces the number of panels you need to print—and ensures your hoarding looks cohesive and professional.
Consider Temporary Solutions
If your project is only set to last a few weeks, it may not be worth investing in traditional hoarding at all. Temporary fencing with printed banners can be an effective and budget-friendly alternative.
Options include:
Heras banners – Custom printed PVC or mesh banners that can be tied to metal fencing.
PVC banners – Weatherproof and durable enough for short-term exposure.
Correx signage – Fixed directly to temporary structures using cable ties or adhesive pads.
Temporary solutions are cheaper to produce, quick to install, and can be rolled up and reused for future sites.
Partner with Local Print Specialists
It can be tempting to order hoarding printing online, but local printers often offer far more value—especially for small-scale projects. Many will:
Offer lower minimum order quantities.
Provide expert advice on materials and layout.
Deliver faster, with lower transportation costs.
When you work with a nearby supplier, you also reduce the risk of shipping delays or miscommunication. And if anything needs changing or reprinting, you’ll be able to sort it quickly.
Also, many local companies may offer bundle deals if you’re planning hoarding for multiple sites over the year—another opportunity to save in the long term.
Conclusion
Small-scale construction projects may have limited budgets, but that doesn’t mean compromising on quality. With clever planning, cost-effective materials like correx boards and foamex panels, and reusable designs, you can achieve professional hoarding without overspending. Integrating construction safety signs with your branding further maximises value. Every choice contributes to a more efficient, impactful site presentation. If you're running a compact site and need to stretch your budget, speak with a hoarding printing specialist who understands your goals.
Board Printing Company offers reliable, affordable hoarding printing solutions tailored to any project size, helping your site stand out with smart, budget-friendly design.
