[Kevin67]

I've been to a few scaffolding firms to ask very politely if I could have any old boards they might have either now or later for raised beds.

New (standard) boards can be had at £1 / foot. Old boards seem to be selling at around 80/90p / foot - and two places, even more at £1.20 / foot.

Any tips or hints about getting cheap boards, if this is possible, please?

(Cheekiness is not in question; I get a lot free  )

Many thanks.

(I do check out facebook/gumtree/freebie sites but boards are like hens teeth.)

[wrinkly1]

i know what you mean.  i,v scoured my area for ages. time was when they gave them away. but roofers can sell them on.

[meterman]

I use old plastic fascia boards for my raised beds, window/gutter fitters are happy to pass them on over 10 years no rot

[compostqueen]

I asked our local place and was told they have to be pulped when they have reached the end of their life to prevent them being reused.    I got,some new ones from the builder centre. My husband paid for them

[Kevin67]

Yes; I did wonder if there was some H&S legislation about old boards.

I do like the idea of the plastic fascia boards. I'm going to have a look-see. Thanks for that tip!

[cadalot]

There are loads of them sold on ebay, but the problem is that most companies are up North

[grendel]

I was going to suggest trying replacement window companies, as they get all sorts of plastic window sections left over.
Grendel

[Kevin67]

cadalot - that's no problem - I live Oop Norf, too! (actually, it is the problem, because quite a few of the people selling old boards do so at a cost more than new boards...)

Grendel - yes, it's a good idea. I drive past a few of these businesses. I shall pop in!

[compostqueen]

He also priced up the link a bord raised beds made of lengths of recycled plastic and ended up buying some of these for me for my birthday,  they are local to me which saved delivery charges   he got me some as they were the same as buying timber but no need for treatment, sawing or any nails, screws or fixings.  I've had them for some years now and they are really as good as when I got them

[jezza]

hi try Brent scaffold boards they sell rejects (failed sagtest) theyre in yorkshire phone numbers 01757 289199 last ones i bought  were £6.00 each for 13foot long  jezza

[Kevin67]

Thank you. I'll give them a call tomorrow morning.

[Tenhens]

Would like to source some myself (North Derbyshire)  Flicking through an early(ish) copy of Gardeners World the other week ,  Geoff Hamilton mentioned that he had 'invested' in some boards, money well spent!

I am guessing it is one of those examples of knowing the right places/people. Have salvaged 10ft pallets in the past , but supply seems to have dried up.

£6.00 for a 13ft board sounds reasonable. Any idea about delivery??

[grendel]

round our way you can buy new 150mm x 22mm treated gravel boards for about £6 for a 4.2m length (and a very good fence it makes too).
Grendel

[Kevin67]

@Tenhens - no idea as yet....

@Grendel - yes, that would be useful - if I was in your neck of the woods!

[Kevin67]

Well, I got in touch with the scaffolding company - after sorting out their website form email issues and advising them of the fault plus how to fix it. I even offered to pop by as they are just down the road from me to fix it for them. It seemed as though he hadn't even read my original email and I copied it in to help him but got no joy. The boards are priced as such but delivery is £170.

It seems ever more philanthropy is absent from successful businesses - maybe that's why?

I do have to say, I wish a had a good business in which unknown people stop by to help free of charge.