FAQs — Boarding Up Harrow (HA0–HA9)

When you’re dealing with a smashed window, a forced door, or a vulnerable shopfront, you usually need clear answers fast. Below are the questions we’re asked most often about boarding up in Harrow and across the HA postcode area—what we can do, how it works, and what to expect.

If you need urgent help, go straight to our emergency boarding up in Harrow page or call us now on 020 4634 5472.

Emergency call-outs & availability

Do you offer 24/7 emergency boarding up in Harrow?

Yes—we provide 24/7 emergency boarding up Harrow and across HA0–HA9. If your property isn’t secure after a break-in, vandalism, storm damage, or an accident, we can attend and make the opening safe.

We don’t promise fixed arrival times (traffic, police attendance, and access can affect this), but we prioritise genuinely urgent situations—especially ground-floor doors/windows and exposed shopfront glazing.

For urgent situations, use emergency boarding up and call 020 4634 5472.

What information should I give you on the phone?

To get you the right help quickly, it’s useful to tell us:

  • The postcode (e.g., HA1, HA2, HA3) and a nearby landmark or main road
  • What’s damaged: window, door, shopfront, roof/skylight
  • Approximate size/quantity of openings
  • Whether the property is occupied, vacant, or a commercial unit
  • Any access issues (rear access, shutters, high-level windows, concierge)
  • If police/fire brigade are in attendance (or if you have a crime reference number)

If it’s safe to do so, photos can help—but don’t put yourself at risk to take them.

Can you board up a property the same day?

Often, yes—particularly for emergencies. Planned works (for example, securing a vacant unit ahead of refurbishment) can also be booked in.

If your situation is time-sensitive—tenant moving out, insurance requirement, or a handover deadline—tell us when you call and we’ll be honest about what’s achievable.

Do you work across all HA postcodes?

Yes. We cover Harrow and the surrounding HA area, including places such as Harrow town centre, South Harrow, Kenton, Wealdstone, Pinner, Northwood, Stanmore, Edgware, Wembley and more.

You can also browse areas we cover and find your nearest local page, such as boarding up in Harrow HA1 or boarding up in Pinner HA5.

What boarding up involves (and what we use)

What’s the difference between plywood boarding and OSB?

Both are sheet materials used to secure openings, but they’re suited to slightly different jobs:

  • Plywood (typically 18mm exterior-grade) is strong, stable, and a good choice for larger openings and shopfronts. It’s also less prone to crumbling at edges when fixed correctly.
  • OSB (often 12mm for smaller openings) can be cost-effective and suitable for modest window sizes, particularly when the frame is sound and fixings can be placed properly.

We choose the most appropriate material based on security risk, the condition of the frame, and how long the property needs to remain protected. For more detail, see what is boarding up?.

How do you fix boards without causing extra damage?

We aim to be secure and practical while keeping damage to a minimum.

Depending on the opening and frame condition, we may use:

  • Internal timber battens (“sandwich” fixing) so fixings aren’t accessible from outside
  • Anti-tamper fixings where external access is a risk
  • Fixing points placed to avoid fragile sections of frames where possible

If the frame is already split, rotten, or badly distorted, non-destructive methods may not be possible. In those cases we’ll explain your options before proceeding.

For window-specific work, read about window boarding in Harrow. For forced entries, see door boarding.

Can you board up doors as well as windows?

Yes. If a door has been forced, kicked in, or is hanging off its hinges, we can secure it with door boarding up and, where suitable, install a temporary steel door for safer access while repairs are arranged.

Temporary steel doors are particularly useful for:

  • Vacant properties
  • Repeated targeting after burglary
  • Commercial back doors and rear service entries

See door boarding for how it works.

Do you board up shopfronts and commercial glazing?

Yes. We regularly secure retail units, offices, restaurants and other premises in and around Harrow.

Shopfronts often need:

  • Larger, stronger boards (commonly 18mm plywood)
  • Fixings that resist tampering from the street
  • Consideration for alarm sensors, shutter tracks, and signage

More on this service: shopfront boarding.

Can you secure a rooflight or skylight?

Yes—rooflights and skylights can be a major water-ingress risk after storm damage or accidental impact. We provide roof boarding where it’s safe and practical to do so.

Access is sometimes the limiting factor. If a roof is unsafe to walk, we may need you (or your managing agent) to arrange suitable access equipment or a roofer—our role is to secure the opening once access is safe.

Situations we’re called out for

I’ve had a break-in—what should I do first?

If you think the intruder may still be nearby, call 999. If it’s safe:

  1. Don’t touch damaged locks/doors more than necessary (for evidence)
  2. Take a few photos of the damage
  3. Get your crime reference number
  4. Call us to secure the openings

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the kind of documentation insurers typically ask for (photos, invoice, and a brief work description). For more guidance, see boarding up after burglary repairs.

What if it’s vandalism (smashed windows or repeated damage)?

Vandalism is unfortunately common around exposed shopfronts, empty units, and side/rear windows that aren’t overlooked. We can board up quickly and advise on more robust, longer-term measures where needed (for example for vacant properties).

Read more: vandalism repair and boarding.

Do you help after storm damage?

Yes. Storm damage often involves cracked panes, blown-in windows, dislodged doors, or debris impacts. The priority is to stop weather ingress and secure the property until permanent repairs can be completed.

See storm damage boarding.

Can you board up after a fire?

We can help secure the property after fire once the fire service has deemed it safe to do so. Fire scenes can involve unstable frames, heat-damaged uPVC, and lingering hazards.

We don’t provide smoke/odour remediation or full reinstatement—but we can secure vulnerable openings to prevent access and further damage. More details: fire damage boarding.

Do you deal with flood damage to doors and windows?

Yes—flooding can swell timber doors, warp frames, and make openings difficult to close properly. We can secure compromised openings, but we’ll also consider ventilation needs to avoid trapping moisture where it may worsen damage.

See flood damage boarding.

A car hit my wall/shopfront—can you make it safe?

Yes, in many cases. If there’s structural movement or the opening is part of a load-bearing area, you may also need a structural engineer or builder—our priority is to secure the opening and reduce immediate risk where it’s safe to proceed.

More info: accident damage boarding.

Costs, quotes & paperwork

How much does boarding up cost in Harrow?

Costs depend on the specifics of the job, including:

  • Size and number of openings
  • Material choice (e.g., 12mm OSB vs 18mm exterior-grade plywood)
  • Fixing method and access requirements (height, rear access, roof work)
  • Whether a temporary steel door or other security measure is needed
  • Out-of-hours requirements

We avoid guessing prices without details. For a breakdown of what affects cost, see boarding up pricing. For a quote, call 020 4634 5472 or email us.

Do you provide written quotes and invoices?

Yes. For planned work we can provide a written quote. For emergency call-outs, we provide an itemised invoice and a clear description of what was done.

Can I claim boarding up on insurance?

Often, yes—many policies allow reasonable “make safe” costs after covered events like burglary, vandalism, storm, or impact damage. Cover varies, so it’s best to notify your insurer as early as you can.

We’re not an insurer or loss adjuster, but we can provide documentation insurers typically request (invoice, work description, and time-stamped photos where appropriate). See insurance claims help.

Will you take photos for my insurer or landlord?

Where appropriate, yes. We can take clear photos showing:

  • The damage on arrival (where safe)
  • The secured opening(s) after boarding
  • Any constraints (frame condition, access issues)

If you’re a tenant, it can also help to notify your landlord/managing agent promptly with those images.

Property types & longer-term security

Do you board up flats and maisonettes?

Yes. We regularly secure flats, including those with communal entrances or restricted access. If there’s a concierge, entryphone, or parking/loading constraints, mention this when you call so we can plan access and materials handling.

More on domestic work: residential boarding up.

Do you work with shops, offices and facilities management companies?

Yes. We provide commercial boarding up for retail and office premises, and we can work with facilities managers and managing agents who need consistent documentation and safe working practices.

Read: commercial boarding up.

Can you secure vacant or void properties between tenancies?

Yes—voids and long-term empty properties often need stronger, longer-lasting security. Depending on risk and duration, we may recommend boarding, temporary steel doors, or other measures as appropriate.

See vacant property boarding up.

Do you provide temporary fencing?

Yes, in suitable situations—particularly where there’s been impact damage, unsafe boundaries, or you need to restrict access around a frontage while repairs are arranged.

Learn more: temporary fencing.

Practicalities, access & safety

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

Ideally, yes—especially for residential properties. If you can’t be there, we can sometimes work with a landlord, neighbour, managing agent, or keyholder.

If the police have secured a scene, we may need to coordinate with them before starting work.

Can you board up from the outside if I’ve lost my keys?

Sometimes, but it depends on the opening type and what needs securing. For example, a smashed ground-floor window can often be secured externally. If internal access is required (for safer fixing methods), we’ll tell you on the phone so you can arrange entry.

Is boarding up weatherproof?

Boarding up is primarily for security and making safe. It can reduce rain ingress, but it isn’t a permanent glazing replacement.

For severe exposure (large openings, driving rain), we’ll do what’s practical—correct board sizing, sensible overlaps where possible, and secure fixings. If the surrounding frame is badly damaged, no temporary measure will be fully watertight, and we’ll explain that clearly.

Will boarding up damage my window frames or brickwork?

Any security boarding involves fixings. We always try to minimise unnecessary damage and use appropriate fixing points.

However, if the frame or surrounding substrate is already weak (rotted timber, heat-damaged uPVC, crumbling masonry), some additional disturbance can be unavoidable to achieve a secure result. We’ll talk you through it before we proceed if there’s a meaningful trade-off.

Are your technicians insured and vetted?

We operate with public liability insurance and use vetted technicians (including DBS-checked staff where required for certain sites). If your site has specific compliance requirements (sign-in procedures, RAMS, permit-to-work), tell us when booking so we can confirm what’s needed.

Booking, contact & next steps

How do I book boarding up in Harrow?

Call 020 4634 5472 or email [email protected] with the postcode and what’s happened. We’ll ask a few quick questions and advise the safest next step.

If you’re unsure what service you need, start here: boarding up services or situations we handle.

Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 5472 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.