FAQs — Boarding Up Stevenage (SG1–SG19)

When you’re dealing with a smashed window, a forced door, or a vulnerable shopfront, you usually need clear answers quickly. Below are the most common questions we’re asked about boarding up in Stevenage and across the SG postcode area.

Need help now? Call 01438 594 023 for immediate assistance.
You can also email [email protected].

Quick answers (if you’re in a hurry)

  • We cover Stevenage and SG1–SG19 (including surrounding towns and villages within the SG area).
  • We prioritise urgent call-outs and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone—we don’t promise fixed arrival times because conditions and workload vary.
  • We can make safe broken windows, damaged doors, and shopfronts, and help you secure the property with temporary boarding or other suitable methods.
  • We’re fully insured, have DBS-checked technicians, and have been trading 10+ years.
  • We can provide photos, itemised invoices and a clear work statement to support typical insurance claim requirements (we’re not loss adjusters).

For urgent attendance, visit: emergency boarding up

FAQs

Do you offer 24/7 boarding up in Stevenage?

Yes — we provide 24/7 boarding up for Stevenage and across the SG postcode area. If you need emergency boarding up at night, at weekends, or out of hours, call us and we’ll talk through what’s happened and what’s needed to make the property safe.

If the situation is urgent (for example a smashed window or a door that won’t secure), we prioritise those calls first. We’ll always give you a realistic ETA on the phone rather than a promise we can’t keep.

If it’s happening right now: 24 hour emergency boarding up in Stevenage

How quickly can you attend a boarding up job?

Attendance times vary depending on:

  • time of day (especially late evening / early morning)
  • current call volume
  • access issues (upper floors, rear access, shared entrances)
  • whether police or the fire service need the scene preserved first

We don’t quote guaranteed response times, but we do prioritise urgent “make safe” work. When you call, we’ll ask a few quick questions and give a realistic ETA based on what we can actually deliver.

What areas do you cover within the SG postcodes?

We cover Stevenage and the wider SG area (SG1–SG19). That includes residential areas, business parks, and surrounding towns and villages.

If you’re unsure whether you’re in range, it’s quickest to call. You can also check: areas we cover

Can you board up a broken window tonight?

In many cases, yes. If you need to board up a broken window tonight, we can often provide temporary boarding to secure the opening and reduce the risk of further damage or theft.

What we do depends on the window type and condition:

  • If the frame is sound, we can usually fix boarding securely using methods that reduce further damage.
  • If the frame is split, rotten, or already pulled away, we’ll explain the safest fixing method before starting.

For more detail on the service itself, see: window boarding in Stevenage

Can you board up a door after a break-in?

Yes. If you need to board up a door after a break-in, we’ll assess whether boarding is the safest short-term option or whether a temporary steel door (where appropriate) would give better security—especially if the property may be unattended.

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll talk you through the options before proceeding.

Related help after an incident: burglary repairs
Door service overview: door boarding

Do you board up shopfronts and commercial glazing?

Yes — we provide shopfront boarded up solutions for shops, offices and other commercial premises in Stevenage and the SG area. Shopfront work often involves larger openings, public-facing locations, and higher risk of repeat attempts—so secure fixing and sensible coverage matter.

If you’ve had a smashed window on a shopfront, we can attend to make safe and secure the premises so you can close up safely and deal with glazing replacement afterwards.

Service info: shopfront boarding

What materials do you use (plywood or OSB)?

We select materials based on the opening, location and risk level. Common options include:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for many ground-floor windows/doors and higher-risk openings
  • 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate

We’ll also choose fixings to suit the surface and security needs. Where there’s a risk of tampering from outside, we’ll use anti-tamper fixings or a method that prevents easy removal—particularly important for vacant properties.

To understand the basics, read: what is boarding up

Will boarding up damage my frames, brickwork, or render?

The aim is always to secure the opening without unnecessary damage, but the right method depends on what we’re fixing into and how compromised the area already is.

  • If the surrounding frame is intact, we can often use fixings and placement that minimise impact.
  • If the frame or masonry is already cracked, loose, or waterlogged, we may need a different approach to achieve safe security.

We’ll explain what we recommend before work starts—especially if there’s no good non-invasive option available.

Can you make safe a property after vandalism?

Yes. Vandalism can mean anything from a smashed window to repeated damage to a vulnerable rear door or side panel. We’ll focus on making the property safe and reducing the chance of repeat incidents, typically by:

  • securing the opening with correctly sized boards
  • using suitable fixings to prevent removal from outside
  • advising on whether a stronger, longer-term solution is sensible if the property will remain empty

Related situation page: vandalism repair

Do you help after storm damage?

Yes. After high winds or debris impact, we can make safe damaged windows, doors, and other openings to keep the property secure and reduce further weather damage. In storm scenarios we’ll also look for:

  • loose frames and fixings that won’t hold a board safely
  • water ingress points that should be temporarily covered
  • access constraints (for example awkward upstairs windows)

Related situation page: storm damage

Can you board up roofs or skylights?

We can help secure certain roof openings and skylights where it’s safe and appropriate to do so. Roof-level work is more dependent on:

  • safe access
  • weather conditions (wind/rain)
  • the type of roof and surrounding structure

We’ll be honest if conditions aren’t safe. Where we can proceed, we’ll focus on securing the opening and reducing water ingress risk as much as practical.

Service info: roof boarding

Do you provide temporary fencing?

Yes — temporary fencing can be useful when there’s an exposed frontage, unsafe access, or a wider security problem that boarding alone won’t solve (for example, after impact damage affecting a boundary or entry point).

See: temporary fencing

Are you insured and are your technicians vetted?

Yes. We are fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. If you’re a landlord, managing agent, or facilities manager needing documentation for compliance, tell us when you call and we’ll confirm what can be provided for your records.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, depending on your policy and the circumstances (burglary, vandalism, storm damage, accidental impact, etc.). We’re not loss adjusters and can’t authorise your claim, but we can supply documentation insurers typically ask for, such as:

  • itemised invoice
  • description of the damage and the work completed
  • time-stamped photos (where possible and appropriate)

For guidance on the process, see: insurance claims

What information should I have ready when I call?

If possible (and safe), have:

  • the property postcode (e.g., SG1, SG2, etc.)
  • what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/roof opening)
  • whether the property is currently secure or exposed
  • whether the police have attended and if you have a reference number
  • photos of the damage (only if safe to take)

If it’s actively unsafe or there’s a threat present, call 999 first.

Do I need to be at the property when you arrive?

Usually, yes—access is the biggest factor. If you can’t be there, you may be able to arrange access via:

  • a managing agent
  • a neighbour with keys (only if you authorise this)
  • a key safe (if one is already installed)

If the property is vacant or you’re a landlord coordinating remotely, let us know. We’ll talk through the options and what we can realistically do without you present.

For vacant/void properties, you may also want to read: vacant property boarding

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on:

  • number and size of openings
  • height/access (ground floor vs upper floor)
  • how damaged the frames are
  • whether additional securing is needed (e.g., door integrity issues)

A single window is often quicker than multiple openings across a frontage, and commercial jobs can take longer due to size and access constraints. When you call, we’ll ask enough to give you a sensible expectation.

Can you remove the boards later?

Yes. Boarding is typically a temporary security measure until repairs or replacement glazing/doors are arranged. If you need boards removed later, tell us:

  • whether glazing/repairs are complete
  • whether you want us to inspect the opening before removal

If you’re managing works through insurance, keeping a clear timeline (photos + invoices) can help support your claim.

Do you handle fire or flood damage?

We can help secure the property after fire or flood where there are compromised openings, but it’s important to be clear about scope:

  • After a fire, we can board up damaged windows/doors and help secure access points once the scene is safe. Smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope.
  • After a flood, frames can swell and become fragile; we’ll assess the safest way to secure the opening and maintain sensible ventilation where possible.

More info:

Do you work with landlords, letting agents, and facilities managers?

Yes. We regularly support:

  • landlords between tenancies
  • letting/managing agents handling urgent damage
  • facilities teams needing a reliable make-safe service

If you need a purchase order reference, site sign-in, or specific documentation, mention it when you call so we can confirm what’s required before attendance.

How do I get a quote?

Call us with the basics (opening size, type of damage, location, access), and we’ll give practical guidance and a clear explanation of what we’d do. Pricing depends on factors like materials, complexity, access and urgency, so we avoid guessing.

For a fuller breakdown of cost factors, see: pricing

Still got a question?

If you’re dealing with an urgent security issue, don’t wait and worry.

Need help now? Call 01438 594 023 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]