20 answers
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on cost, consent, spacing and servicing.
Bollard questions
How much does bollard installation cost?
Most single fixed steel bollards cost around £195–£895 each supplied and installed (plus VAT), removable and telescopic posts roughly £245–£1,195, and automatic rising bollards from about £2,995 per bollard once controls, ducting and commissioning are included. Crash-rated systems cost more again. Ground, access and quantity make the biggest difference.
Is the site survey free?
Yes for installation work: we visit, measure, scan for buried services where needed and send a fixed, itemised written quote with no obligation. Repairs, servicing and automatic-bollard fault visits are paid visits, and we tell you the price in writing before we come.
Who carries out the work?
Installation crews working under our management. We survey, advise, quote, supervise and take responsibility for the job; the contract is with S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd, trading as Bollard Installers.
Do you cover my area?
We cover England, Wales, mainland Scotland and Northern Ireland. We don't currently cover the Scottish islands, the Isles of Scilly, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.
How long does installation take?
Simple fixed or removable posts usually take a few hours each, with concrete then left to cure. Automatic bollards take several days on site because of excavation, ducting, power and commissioning. We give a programme with the quote.
Do I need permission to install bollards?
On your own land, usually only the owner's or landlord's agreement, although planning rules don't clearly cover bollards, so listed buildings, conservation areas and prominent frontages are worth checking with the council. On a public footway or road you need the highway or roads authority's written consent (DfI Roads in Northern Ireland).
What is the difference between a security bollard and a crash-rated bollard?
Any strong steel post set in concrete is a security bollard. A crash-rated bollard has been impact-tested to a recognised standard, so its performance against a stated vehicle and speed is known — but only if installed exactly as tested.
How far apart should bollards be?
Where bollards are there to stop vehicles, government guidance sets the clear gap at no more than 1,200 mm, measured 600 mm above the ground — still wide enough for wheelchairs and prams. On cycle routes, allow at least 1.5 m. Crash-rated systems use the spacing they were tested at. We set out every line on site before digging.
Can you remove our old bollards?
Yes. We remove posts and their footings, dispose of them and reinstate the surface to match.
Do you service automatic bollards fitted by someone else?
Yes, for most common makes. The first visit is a paid inspection so we can see the system before quoting for repairs or a maintenance plan.
What ground surfaces can you install into?
Tarmac, block paving, concrete slabs, natural stone, resin-bound surfaces, gravel and soil. Each has its own method for breaking out and reinstating.
Do you check for buried services?
Yes. We review available utility records and scan the dig positions with cable-locating equipment before excavating.
Can bollards be fitted on a multi-storey car park deck?
Usually with base-plated or flexible posts on resin anchors, after checking the deck design. Post-tensioned slabs must not be drilled without the structural engineer's approval.
Are your prices fixed?
The written quote is fixed for the work described. If something hidden changes the job — an unrecorded service or a void under the surface — we stop and agree any change with you before continuing.
Do you charge VAT?
Prices on this site say whether they include VAT. Business prices are shown excluding VAT; home driveway prices are shown including VAT.
Can you match existing bollards?
Often. Send us photos and the dimensions; we source a matching post or the nearest equivalent and confirm before ordering.
What happens if a bollard is hit again later?
We can replace or repair it. Keeping spare posts or covers for high-risk positions shortens downtime.
Do automatic bollards need a maintenance contract?
They need regular servicing to stay safe and reliable, and many manufacturer warranties depend on it. A contract is the easiest way to keep that on schedule.
Can you work out of hours?
Yes, by arrangement, for sites that cannot close during the day. Out-of-hours work is priced separately in the quote.
How do I get a quote?
Use the price calculator for a guide figure, fill in the form or call us. We arrange a survey and send a written quote.