Burglary Repairs in Stevenage (SG) – Emergency Boarding Up & Property Securing
A burglary is upsetting, and the last thing you need is an open window, a kicked-in door, or a damaged frame that leaves your home or business exposed overnight. If you need burglary repairs in Stevenage or anywhere across the SG postcodes (SG1–SG19), we can make safe and secure your property with emergency boarding up and physical security measures that help prevent further entry.
Need help now? Call 01438 594 023 for immediate assistance.
If it’s safer to message first, you can also email us.
We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked. We don’t promise fixed arrival times (every night and every job is different), but if you call we’ll give you a realistic ETA and prioritise urgent, insecure properties.
When burglary repairs are needed (and what “repairs” usually mean at night)
After a break-in, “burglary repairs” often starts with urgent security rather than full restoration. In many cases, glazing and joinery repairs are scheduled later by a locksmith, glazier, or your insurer’s contractor—but securing the opening can’t wait.
Typical reasons people call us include:
- A smashed window (front, side, or rear) where the property is now accessible
- A forced door where you need to board up door openings or stabilise a damaged frame
- A prised patio/secondary door where locks no longer hold
- A shop or office with damaged glazing that needs to be shopfront boarded up before trading hours
- A vacant/void property targeted because it looks unattended
- Repeated attempts (where a first temporary fix has already been removed or compromised)
If you’re standing there thinking “I just need someone to board up broken window tonight,” that’s exactly the kind of call we deal with—often out of hours, when you’re tired, stressed, and trying to work out what to do next.
If anyone is still on site or you feel threatened, call 999 first. Once the police say it’s safe to proceed, we can attend to secure the property.
First priorities after a burglary: safety, evidence, and security
It’s completely normal to want everything “fixed” immediately. The practical order is usually:
- Safety first – avoid handling glass, exposed nails, or unstable doors/frames.
- Preserve evidence – the police may want to examine entry points.
- Secure property – prevent a second entry and protect the building from weather.
- Document the damage – for your insurer and/or landlord/managing agent.
If you’re unsure what to do next, call us and we’ll talk you through the immediate steps on the phone.
Need emergency boarding up in Stevenage? Call 01438 594 023.
How we secure a property after a break-in (what we actually do on site)
Our role in burglary repairs is to make safe, secure property, and provide clear documentation for the next stage (lock replacement, glazing, joinery). The right method depends on the opening size, the material of the frame, and how badly it’s been damaged.
Step 1: Quick assessment and a clear plan
When we arrive, we’ll check:
- Which openings are insecure (including side gates, rear doors, or outbuildings)
- Whether the frame is sound enough for non-destructive fixing
- Whether boarding needs to be internal, external, or both
- Any hazards: loose glass, splintered timber, sharp edges, overhead risks
If the frame is too damaged for a neat, non-destructive approach, we’ll explain options before proceeding. Sometimes the priority is simply to make safe and prevent access until a full repair can be arranged.
Step 2: Boarding broken windows properly (not just “nailing a board on”)
For many domestic windows and smaller openings, we typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust window boarding and higher-risk entry points
- 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate
We use fixings suited to the substrate and situation, often including anti-tamper fixings where the board would otherwise be removable from outside. This matters if the property will be unattended or if the location is easily accessible from the street or a shared access route.
If you specifically need window boarding in Stevenage, we’ll talk you through the best approach for your window type and how long the boarding is likely to remain in place.
Common call-outs include a ground-floor smashed window, a rear kitchen window forced for access, or a small bathroom window broken to reach a latch.
Step 3: Securing damaged doors (including temporary steel doors when appropriate)
A forced door can be trickier than it looks. If the frame has split, hinges are torn out, or the lock area is shattered, you may not be able to “lock up” even if the door still closes.
Depending on the damage, we may:
- Board or brace the opening to prevent entry
- Strengthen the area around the latch/lock line temporarily
- Recommend a more robust solution such as a temporary steel door for medium-term security (often used for vacant properties or where repeated break-ins are a risk)
For door-specific call-outs, see door boarding in Stevenage.
Step 4: Shopfronts, offices, and commercial entries
For businesses, exposure isn’t just about theft—it’s also liability and disruption. A broken frontage can create hazards for staff and the public.
If needed, we can arrange shopfront boarding in Stevenage using suitably sized panels and fixings, focusing on:
- Public-facing safety (sharp edges and loose glazing)
- Minimising visibility into the premises where possible
- Security that holds overnight and through quiet trading periods
Step 5: Photos and paperwork that helps with insurance
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we know what insurers typically ask for after burglary damage. When requested, we can provide:
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and the secured openings
- An itemised invoice and a clear work statement (what was done and where)
For guidance on the claims process, see our insurance claims help.
Typical burglary repair call-out in Stevenage (what it can look like)
A typical call-out might involve a tenant in SG1 or SG2 calling in the evening after returning to a forced entry. The police have attended, the property is safe to enter, but there’s a broken ground-floor window and the back door no longer locks.
In this situation we would usually:
- Confirm which openings must be secured immediately (priority is anything accessible from outside)
- Clear obvious hazards (loose shards and protruding fixings) so the property is safe to move around
- Install temporary boarding to the broken window using exterior-grade plywood, with fixings selected to resist removal from outside
- Secure the door opening so it cannot be pushed or pulled open overnight, then advise on next-day lock and frame repairs
If you need someone to secure property after burglary in Stevenage, the goal is simple: stop a second entry, protect the building, and give you a stable, documented position for the next step.
What you can do right now (before we arrive)
If you’re dealing with burglary damage tonight, these steps usually help:
- Call the police first if the intruder may still be nearby or if you haven’t reported it yet.
- Don’t touch entry points more than necessary—take a few photos if it’s safe.
- Keep your crime reference number (insurers and landlords often ask for it).
- Keep people away from broken glass and unstable frames.
- If you can, move valuables out of sight and into a secure room.
- Call us for emergency boarding up and tell us:
- What’s damaged (window/door/shopfront)
- Whether it’s occupied or vacant
- Your postcode (anywhere across SG1–SG19)
Need to board up a broken window or door now? Call 01438 594 023.
Burglary repairs for homes, landlords, and businesses
Different customers need slightly different outcomes after a break-in:
- Homeowners/tenants often need fast security and clear advice on what happens next
- Landlords and letting agents usually need documentation, access coordination, and reliable securing between visits
- Shops and offices need safe frontage control, reduced downtime, and sometimes out-of-hours attendance
If you’re managing a property portfolio, you may also want to look at vacant property boarding up for medium-term security options where repeat targeting is a concern.
Why burglaries lead to repeat attempts (and how boarding helps)
One of the hardest parts after a break-in is the worry that someone will come back. That concern is valid: an unsecured opening, a flimsy temporary cover, or a door that “almost locks” can make a property vulnerable.
Boarding up helps by:
- Removing easy access through broken glazing
- Creating a physical barrier that’s harder to defeat quickly
- Providing a clear “this property is secured” signal while repairs are arranged
Where appropriate, anti-tamper fixings and stronger materials reduce the chance that boarding can be removed from outside.
FAQs – burglary repairs in Stevenage & SG postcodes
Do you cover burglary repairs across SG1–SG19?
Yes. We cover Stevenage and the wider SG postcode area (SG1–SG19). When you call, tell us your postcode and what’s been damaged, and we’ll confirm a realistic attendance estimate.
Can you board up my window tonight in Stevenage?
If you need someone to board up broken window tonight, call us and we’ll advise on availability. We handle out of hours call-outs, but we don’t guarantee fixed arrival times—urgent, insecure properties are prioritised.
What if the door frame is splintered and the door won’t close?
That’s common after forced entry. We can often board up door openings or brace the area to prevent entry until a locksmith/joiner can complete repairs. If the property will be empty, we may discuss options like a temporary steel door for better security.
Do you replace locks or glazing as part of burglary repairs?
Our focus is securing and making safe. Lock replacement, glazing replacement, and joinery repairs are typically completed by the relevant trade or insurer’s contractor. We’ll leave the property secured so those repairs can be arranged safely.
I’ve had a smashed window—do I need to wait for the police before boarding up?
If the police need to attend, it’s best to wait until they’ve confirmed they’re finished with the scene. If you’re unsure, call us and we’ll talk through the safest approach based on your situation.
Can you board up a shopfront after a break-in?
Yes—this is a common reason for emergency call-outs. We can shopfront boarded up openings to secure the premises and reduce risk until glazing can be replaced.
Will boarding up stop rain and cold getting in?
Boarding significantly reduces exposure, but weatherproofing depends on the opening, surrounding damage, and conditions. If there are gaps due to broken frames or uneven masonry, we’ll explain what’s achievable on the night and what might need follow-up repair.
What do I need for an insurance claim after a burglary?
Insurers usually want photos, a description of damage, and your crime reference number. We can provide an invoice and work statement, and (if requested) photos of the secured openings. See our insurance claims help for practical guidance.
Related services (choose the right solution)
If you already know what’s been damaged, these pages explain the options in detail:
- window boarding in Stevenage
- door boarding in Stevenage
- shopfront boarding in Stevenage
- For urgent attendance, see emergency boarding up
Call now to secure your property after a burglary
If you need burglary repairs in Stevenage—whether that’s a smashed window, a damaged door, or urgent help to secure property—we’re here to help with calm, practical support and professional boarding.
Need help now? Call 01438 594 023 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? [email protected].