When a window or door is left open by a break-in, an attempted forced entry, vandalism or an accident, the priority is simple: make the property safe, secure and weatherproof again before anything else can get in or be damaged further. That is exactly what emergency boarding up is for, and it is one of the most common reasons people call us out at night.
When you need emergency boarding up
We are called out to board up and make secure after all of the following:
- A burglary or attempted break-in that has left a door or window forced, smashed or no longer closing.
- Vandalism or a smashed shop front, glass door or window.
- Storm, impact or accidental damage that has broken glazing or sprung a frame.
- A door or lock that has failed so badly the property can no longer be locked at all.
What we do when we arrive
Our first job is to make the property safe. We carefully clear away dangerous broken glass, then measure and fit cut-to-size boarding over the open window or door so the opening is solid and weatherproof. Wherever the frame and lock allow, we go a step further than simply boarding: we re-secure or fit a temporary or replacement lock so you can actually lock up and hold a key, rather than just having a sealed panel. If the lock or frame is too badly damaged to make lockable on the spot, we board securely and arrange the follow-up repair.
Making secure first, permanent repair second
Boarding up is a make-safe measure, not the finished job. It buys you a secure, dry, lockable property tonight; the permanent fix — new glazing, a new door or frame, or upgraded locks — follows once the immediate risk is dealt with. We are happy to handle both, and because we carry locks and tools, we can often fit anti-snap or higher-security locks at the same visit so you come out of the situation more secure than before, not less.
Insurance and your claim
Most home and business insurance policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further loss or damage after an incident — and securing an open property is exactly that. We give you a clear, itemised invoice and can take photographs of the damage and the work, which is the kind of documentation insurers usually want to see for a claim. We are not your insurer, so always check your own policy wording or speak to your claims line, but having the property professionally secured and documented puts you in a strong position.
After a break-in — handled with care
A break-in is upsetting as well as inconvenient, and getting the property secured quickly is a big part of feeling safe again. We work calmly and discreetly, prioritise vulnerable customers, and can talk you through sensible security upgrades without any pressure. If you have just discovered a break-in, our guide on what to do after a break-in walks through the immediate steps, and our burglary repairs service covers the full make-good once the property is secure.