Was Installing a 40ft Container in Our Yard a Bad Idea? | Mesh Fencing Harrogate
It’s been one of those weeks where you question your decisions halfway through. We’ve completely transformed our yard at Airedale Fencing, taken on some promising new projects around Yorkshire, and I’m still not entirely sure whether that massive container was the best idea. But that’s the reality of running a fencing business—sometimes you’ve got to make bold moves and hope they pay off.
A Busy Start to the Week
Monday kicked off with a trip over to Harrogate to quote for a school job. It’s an SEN school, so filming was tricky—there are “no electronic devices” signs everywhere, which I completely respect. The project involves fencing off a car park with about 60 meters of 2-meter-high 358 mesh, plus a couple of double gates and a single gate at the top. There’s also a section around the back of the school that needs attention, including some fencing in front of a wall where the neighbour’s fence is leaning in. That’ll be interesting to sort out.
The new business manager has only been in post for four or five weeks, so he’s still getting his head around everything. But it sounds like there might be more work coming our way, potentially on the electronic security side as well. They’ve got Paxton systems throughout, so we’ll see where that leads.
While I was over that way, I popped in to see another potential client—a carpet place not far from the school. It turned out to be a decent-sized job, covering three sides of their site with a few hundred meters of fencing. The existing chain-link with concrete posts needs to come down, and there are a couple of self-seeded trees on the fence line that they’re planning to remove.
I gave them three options: V mesh, palisade, and twin mesh. The palisade would be expensive, especially if they want it powder-coated, so I recommended the twin mesh, which they seemed keen on. What’s interesting is that they’ve got a few sites, and I actually did work for them years ago at their Keighley location. Funny how clients come back around, isn’t it?
Mesh Fencing Harrogate: Why Schools and Businesses Choose 358 Mesh
When it comes to mesh fencing Harrogate projects, particularly for schools and commercial sites, 358 mesh is often the gold standard. The name comes from its specifications: 3-inch by 0.5-inch openings with 8-gauge wire. This makes it incredibly difficult to climb or cut through, which is exactly what you need for high-security applications.
For the Harrogate school project, we’re specifying 2-meter-high 358 mesh because it provides the perfect balance of security and visibility. Parents and staff can see what’s happening in the car park, but it’s virtually impossible for anyone to scale or tamper with. That’s why so many schools across Yorkshire trust us for their perimeter security.
Mesh fencing Harrogate installations need to be compliant with local authority standards, and that’s where our 30+ years of experience really counts. We’re local-authority approved, our team is Enhanced DBS checked, and we understand the specific requirements for educational facilities. It’s not just about putting up a fence—it’s about creating a safe, secure environment that lasts.
The Linthwaite Challenge: When Walls Get in the Way
Tuesday brought us back to a job in Linthwaite that’s been giving us a bit of grief. We had to meet with a structural engineer and the project manager to dig a couple of trial holes. We only had an hour to get it done, so I took Carl and we cracked on with it.
The issue is an unstable wall that needs proper assessment before we can continue with the fencing work. The engineer needed to work out the pad thickness, heights, and the best way forward. It’s one of those jobs where you can’t just steam ahead—you’ve got to do it properly.
The school also asked us to do some additional timber work while we were there. They want double pale on one side of some existing fencing we’d already installed. The lads—Carl and Baggy—sorted that out while we waited for the engineer.
I’d love to get back to this job before Christmas, but realistically, it’s looking like a new year project. We need to make all new posts and get everything just right. It’s frustrating when jobs get delayed, but safety and compliance always come first.
The Great Yard Transformation
Now, here’s where things get interesting. We’ve been planning to reorganise our yard for ages. It’s been a bit of a dumping ground for the last couple of years, and we desperately needed more space for steel storage and better organisation.
Carl’s been wanting to build a steel storage area, and we’d been eyeing up a 40-foot container to help with that. When the opportunity came up to get one cheap from the lad next door, we jumped on it. The only problem? We had to completely rearrange the yard to get it in.
I remember saying that morning how big the yard felt after we’d moved everything around. Then this massive container arrived, and I thought, “Flipping heck, what have we done?”
We had to take down a section of fencing, move piles of materials, and basically orchestrate a massive shuffle to get this thing into position. The Manitou arrived, we’d buried cables, wacker-plated the ground, and got everything ready. But when that container finally rolled in, it suddenly felt like it was taking up half the yard.
I’m still dubious about whether I like it or not, if I’m honest. It does take up a fair bit of room. But the plan is to use it for steel storage, add some racking, and create a proper system for organising materials. In theory, it should make the yard more efficient. In practice? We’ll see.
Keeping the Work Flowing
Despite all the yard chaos, we’ve kept the work moving. Carl finished a little single gate that Ben dropped down to the galvanizers for us—a job for next week or the week after. We’ve also got three gates ready for another project.
Jamie and Ben have been working through our palisade stock, getting everything sorted and ready for upcoming jobs. We’re also preparing for a big job in Wetherby straight after Christmas—about 290 to 300 meters of palisade fencing in black, replacing old chain-link all the way around a site.
Me and Carl went over to check the measurements and look at the gates. We’re planning to keep the existing gate posts, rub them down, paint them, and make new gate frames to fit. The client is going to move a fallen wall and remove a couple of self-seeded trees before we start, so timing will be key.
Looking Ahead
It’s been a proper mixed week—some great new opportunities for mesh fencing Harrogate projects and beyond, some problem-solving on existing jobs, and a massive yard reorganisation that might have been a mistake. But that’s the reality of running a fencing business in Yorkshire.
The lads have been brilliant, mucking in and getting everything done despite the chaos. And even though I’m questioning that container decision, I know it’s all part of building a better, more efficient operation.
If you’re looking for mesh fencing Harrogate installations or any other fencing work across Yorkshire, get in touch. We might have a chaotic yard right now, but we always deliver quality work on time.
See you next week—hopefully with a tidier yard and a clearer head about that container!