- Location
- Yateley, Hampshire
- Main postcode district
- GU46
- Nearby (straight line)
- Sandhurst (2 miles), Crowthorne (2 miles) and Camberley (4 miles)
- Survey and quote
- Free, with a fixed written quote
A retractable dock shelter is a fabric shelter fixed to the building around a loading bay door, with flexible top and side curtains carried on a sprung or pantograph steel frame. When a trailer reverses in, the frame retracts and the curtains drape against the trailer's sides and roof, closing most of the gap while leaving the full width of the trailer opening clear for loading.
How does this suit sites in Yateley?
For a dock in Yateley where wide pallets need the full trailer opening, a shelter keeps that width clear while still closing the gaps. If a shelter on an older unit in Yateley has a sound frame but torn, faded curtains, replacing just the curtains can be the economical choice.
Industrial landlords in Yateley refreshing a multi-let estate can fit shelters that suit a range of future tenants and the trailers they may use.
Keeping the dock running is usually the first concern, so we plan around it. After a free survey of your Yateley site and a written quote at a fixed price, we agree when each bay can be released and whether any work should happen out of hours. Specialist installation engineers working under our management then fit the equipment, and we test it and hand over the documentation before the bay goes back into use.
How much does a retractable dock shelter cost?
A retractable dock shelter typically costs £1,900 to £4,400 per shelter, excluding VAT, supply and fit. Most of the variation comes from size, projection and the curtain specification.
- Size: width and height, set by your door and the largest trailers you receive.
- Projection: deeper shelters cost more but leave room for opened trailer doors and the leveller lip.
- Curtains: heavier-grade fabrics, slit side curtains, adjustable top curtains and guide stripes.
- Frame: sprung, pantograph or rigid, in a galvanised or painted finish.
- Fixings: fixing to cladding usually needs a steel subframe or spreader plates.
- Access and removal: powered access equipment in the yard, and taking down an old shelter.
On an older shelter with a sound frame, new curtains may be all that is needed, and we will say so if that is the case. Every price is fixed in the written quote after a free site survey.
How do I size a retractable shelter for my trailers?
Size a retractable shelter to the largest trailer you receive, with a projection deep enough for opened trailer doors and the leveller lip, and curtains that still reach the smallest vehicles. The trailer mix sets almost every dimension.
- Width: wider than the trailer, so the side curtains drape along its sides rather than across the opening.
- Height: high enough for the tallest trailers, with a top curtain deep enough to reach the roof of the lowest.
- Projection: deep enough for the rear doors, folded back along the trailer sides, to sit inside the curtains.
- Curtain cut-outs: vertical slits let the side curtains wrap around hinges and rear fittings without tearing.
- Guide stripes: contrasting stripes on the curtains help drivers centre the trailer.
If your fleet is uniform, a seal may give a tighter fit. Our guide to shelters and seals sets out the trade-offs.
The same published guide range applies across England; access, out-of-hours working and site conditions are confirmed at the free survey.
What does the free survey cover?
- Power supply at each bay, including three-phase availability
- Wall and steel structure for door, shelter and bumper fixings
- How drivers are prevented from pulling away too early
- Drainage on recessed or sloping dock approaches
- Headroom above the opening and which track type will suit it
- Access for deliveries, cranes or lifting equipment during installation
Options to discuss
Slit side curtains
Vertical cuts in the side curtains that let them wrap around trailer door hinges and rear fittings without tearing, extending curtain life.
Adjustable top curtain
A top curtain that can be lowered or raised to suit the height of the trailers you receive, closing the gap above lower vehicles.
Planning, building control and safety law in England
Sites in Yateley fall under the rules for England. Structural changes such as forming a new opening or a dock leveller pit may need Building Regulations approval, and external structures such as loading houses, canopies or new dock approaches can need planning permission from the local planning authority. We check what applies at survey and build any approvals into the plan.
Questions about retractable dock shelters in Yateley
Can you work outside our normal operating hours in Yateley?
Yes, by arrangement. Evening, night and weekend working can be planned so the installation causes as little disruption as possible to your loading schedule. Out-of-hours work can affect the price, so mention it at the survey and we will include it in the written quote. The agreed times are confirmed in the programme before the job starts.
How long does installation take at a site in Yateley?
It depends on the equipment, the number of bays, the condition of the dock and whether any building or electrical work is needed. We agree a programme with you after the survey, setting out which bays are out of use and when. Larger jobs are usually phased so that part of the dock stays open, and out-of-hours working can be arranged.
What warranty comes with new loading bay equipment?
New equipment comes with the manufacturer's warranty, which varies by product. Our workmanship terms are set out in writing in the quote for your Yateley site, so you can see what is covered before you commit. Check the warranty terms for any servicing conditions, and we can quote for planned maintenance once the installation is complete.
How do drivers know where to stop?
Bumpers set the stopping point, and many sites add dock lights, wheel guides and guide stripes on the shelter curtains to help drivers line up and reverse squarely. Traffic lights at the bay tell drivers when it is safe to reverse in and when they may leave.
Does a dock shelter keep a building warm?
A shelter reduces the draughts and rain entering the dock around a trailer, which helps keep the loading area warmer. It does not seal as closely as a dock seal or inflatable shelter, so for chilled and frozen docks those options are usually preferred.
Retractable dock shelters near Yateley
If your site is not in Yateley itself, it may be near one of these: Sandhurst (2 miles), Crowthorne (2 miles) and Camberley (4 miles). Pick the closest.
Other loading bay services in Yateley
Full guide to retractable dock shelters · Everything we do in Yateley
Tell us what is happening at your Yateley dock, what equipment is there and when it is used, and we will suggest the right next step.