Approximate cost of installing swift box or brick

[Tony D]

Hi, I am thinking of applying for funding for a project to get swift nesting boxes or bricks installed locally. Does anyone have a ball park figure for the typical costs involved? If they do that would be incredibly helpful. I know it will vary widely depending on many factors but a very rough figure is better than none for project costing purposes.

Many thanks

Tony Dobbs

[Amanda Randall]

Hi Tony,

Our project was funded by our parish council and I asked the clerk for a breakdown.  This is her reply:

The parish council agreed to fund this project in total but some savings could be made if people are willing and able to install the boxes themselves or buy their own boxes.  The cost to the parish council was as follows:

 

Boxes                                    £494

Installation                          £350

Hire of cherry picker       £280 plus VAT

 

Total                                      £1124

 

We used the PC’s handyman to install the boxes which he mainly did using ladders but we hired a cherry picker for the less accessible locations.

 

The boxes were made from marine ply at cost price by a local carpenter.  Where people bought an additional box to go alongside their 'free' parish council box, the PC also installed those at the same time.  

Kind regards,

Amanda

 

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[Amanda Randall]

Hi again, Tony....see also Amy Marston's reply!

Amanda

On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM Tony D <tonyj...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Alistair]

So swift chambers for church louvres using about 2.5 8foot by 4 foot 12mm marine ply sheets and stainless steel fixings which produced 2 chambers containing 7 nest chambers in each so 14 in total was around £175. With some extra 2” x1” batten probably around £180. This was materials alone.

Fitting took about 6 hours single handed…

For churches there is the extra work of getting the necessary permissions, presurvey and measuring up of louvres then the work of installation…

Cheers

Alistair

Kingsteingnton Swifts

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[canterburyswifts]

Hi Tony

We've recently applied for and won a grant from our city council (we are really grateful for this support) to create a small 'swift neighbourhood' centred around a natural colony in Herne Bay which we have monitored this season. As an approximate guide we requested the following - 

£550 for 15 Action for Swift Model 30 boxes, including P&P - I have quoted retail price 

£525 for installation, using our very helpful local electrician with ladders

£100 for leaflet printing costs (it may be less than this, depends on initial response)

£150 for six callers

£200 for any electrical work necessary.

Although we had to itemise everything they only wanted approximate costs. We have to pay up front and present invoices for reimbursement but can be reimbursed as we progress through the project.

Hope that helps!

Ginny

Canterbury District Swifs