Burglary Repairs in Romford (RM) – Emergency Boarding Up & Make-Safe Security
A burglary is upsetting, intrusive, and often chaotic in the first few hours. If your door has been forced, a window smashed, or a shopfront damaged, the priority is to make safe, secure the property, and help you gather the documentation your insurer will usually ask for.
We provide burglary repairs in Romford focused on emergency security: boarding up broken windows, boarding up doors, and short-to-medium term options like temporary steel doors and security screens. We cover Romford and the wider RM postcode area (RM1–RM50), with fully insured, DBS-checked technicians and 10+ years trading.
Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.
Prefer not to talk on the phone? Email us and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
Burglary damage: what it usually looks like (and what to do first)
Common post-burglary issues we’re called out for include:
- Smashed window panes (often ground-floor or rear access points)
- Broken locks or a door that won’t close after being forced
- Split door frames or cracked uPVC around multi-point locks
- Damaged shopfront glazing or a shopfront boarded up requirement overnight
- Multiple vulnerable points (e.g., window entry plus internal doors kicked in)
If you’ve just discovered a break-in
If it’s safe to do so:
- Call the police and get a crime reference number.
- Avoid touching damaged areas (locks, frames, broken glass) if forensics may attend.
- Take photos/video of damage for your insurer (only if safe).
- Keep people away from broken glass and unstable panels.
- Call us to secure the property and reduce further risk.
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the practical “make-safe” work and the documentation insurers typically request.
Emergency call-out: Call 01708 973 306
When you need burglary boarding (and when you might not)
You’ll usually need emergency boarding up if:
- The property can’t be locked properly
- There’s a broken window leaving an opening
- The door/frame is compromised and could be forced again
- You’re leaving the property unattended (even for a few hours)
- It’s a commercial site and you must secure it out of hours
You might not need boarding if:
- The door and frame are intact and lock securely
- The glazing is cracked but still fully in place and not at risk of falling out
(In these cases we’ll still advise on whether it’s safe to leave as-is.)
If we think boarding is unnecessary, we’ll tell you—because putting sheets over glass that isn’t actually vulnerable can waste time and money.
How we secure a property after a burglary (our make-safe approach)
Burglary repairs often start with temporary security. Permanent repairs (new glazing units, replacement doors/frames) are usually handled by glaziers/joiners after the immediate risk is controlled. Our role is to stop easy re-entry and protect the property from weather and opportunistic damage.
1) We assess the opening, frame condition, and access
On arrival we’ll look at:
- The size and location of the opening (front elevation, side access, rear garden access, upper floor)
- Whether the frame is sound enough for non-destructive boarding
- Any safety issues (loose glass, sharp edges, unstable panels)
- The best fixing method to prevent removal from outside
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
2) We board up using suitable materials and fixings
We commonly use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable security on larger or higher-risk openings
- OSB (often 12mm) for smaller openings where appropriate
We install boards with anti-tamper fixings wherever possible, because the whole point is to stop someone simply unscrewing the board from outside. In many cases we’ll fix through the surrounding frame/reveal in a way that’s secure but mindful of the underlying structure.
If you specifically need window boarding in Romford, see: window boarding in Romford
3) Doors: boarding up vs temporary steel door
Forced entries often leave a door that’s technically “there”, but not secure. Depending on the damage, we may recommend:
- Door boarding up (fast “make safe” to stop access)
- A temporary steel door if the opening is repeatedly targeted, the property is vacant, or the frame/door is too compromised for a basic board
Read more here: door boarding in Romford
4) We leave the site secure and provide documentation
After we secure the opening(s), we can provide:
- Time-stamped photos of the damage and completed boarding
- An itemised invoice
- A short work statement describing what was done and why
(often useful for insurance claims and property management records)
For insurer guidance, see: insurance claims help
Typical post-burglary call-outs in Romford & RM postcodes
Every incident is different, but the most common “this happened to me” scenarios include:
- Board up broken window after rear entry through a kitchen or living room
- Board up door after a lock is snapped or the door is kicked in
- Securing a flat entrance where communal doors are intact but the flat door isn’t
- Shopfront boarded up to protect stock and prevent further break-ins out of hours
- Short-term securing for a vacant property between tenancies after a forced entry
If you’re unsure what you need, describe the damage on the phone and we’ll talk you through the safest option.
Need emergency boarding up in Romford? Call 01708 973 306
Boarding up and insurance after a burglary (practical guidance)
Insurers typically want evidence that reasonable steps were taken to prevent further loss. Boarding up is often viewed as a sensible “make-safe” measure—particularly when there’s an accessible opening.
What helps your claim run smoothly:
- Keep your crime reference number
- Take clear photos before work starts (if safe)
- Don’t dispose of broken locks/parts until you’ve checked with police/insurer
- Ask for photos, invoice, and a work statement for your records
We can’t guarantee what any insurer will approve, but we can supply the documentation they commonly request.
What to expect when you call (3 simple steps)
-
Tell us what’s happened
Door forced? Smashed window? Multiple openings? Let us know the property type (house/flat/shop) and whether it’s safe to access. -
We give a realistic ETA and plan
We don’t quote fixed arrival times—conditions vary—but we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic expectation on the phone. -
We attend, make safe, and secure the property
We board up, fit anti-tamper fixings, and leave you with photos and paperwork if you need it.
Call now: Call 01708 973 306
Options beyond basic boarding (when the property will be unattended)
If the property will be empty for a while, or has been targeted more than once, basic boarding may not be the best medium-term answer.
Depending on the situation, we may suggest:
- Temporary steel doors for robust access control after forced entry
- Security screens for repeated risk locations (void properties and some commercial sites)
If you manage an empty building, see: vacant property boarding
Related services for burglary damage
Burglary incidents can overlap with other types of damage (impact, vandalism, storm debris). The services below are the most commonly relevant:
- emergency boarding up – out of hours help to make safe and secure
- window boarding in Romford – board up smashed window openings
- door boarding in Romford – board up door openings and forced entries
- shopfront boarding in Romford – secure commercial glazing and entrances
If the incident is more clearly malicious damage rather than theft-related, you may also want: vandalism repair support
FAQs – Burglary boarding up & make-safe in Romford
Can you secure my property tonight?
If you need emergency boarding up or it’s out of hours, call us and we’ll advise the next step and a realistic ETA. We prioritise urgent cases where a property is open or unsafe.
Call 01708 973 306: 01708 973 306
Do you repair doors and windows after a burglary?
We focus on make-safe security: boarding up damaged doors/windows, fitting temporary solutions such as steel doors, and securing openings. Permanent replacements (new glazing units, new doors/frames) are typically completed afterwards by the relevant trade. We can still help immediately by securing the site.
What’s the difference between plywood and OSB for boarding up?
Plywood (often 18mm exterior-grade) is typically stronger and more durable for larger openings or higher-risk locations. OSB can be suitable for smaller openings and short-term temporary boarding. We’ll choose the safest option based on the opening and risk.
Will the boards damage my frames?
We use appropriate fixing methods for the material and frame type, aiming to keep things as tidy as the situation allows. If frames are already split or unstable, we’ll explain the trade-offs before installing anything.
Is burglary boarding up covered by insurance?
It can be, but every policy is different. Insurers often expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further loss, and boarding up can support that. We provide photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to help. See: insurance claims help
How long does boarding up take?
It depends on how many openings there are, access (front elevation vs rear, upstairs, shopfront sizes), and whether the frame is intact. Once we’ve seen the situation, we’ll give you a clear idea of what’s involved.
I’ve had a break-in at a shop—can you board up the shopfront?
Yes. We can secure commercial entrances and glazing so you can protect stock and prevent further access. Learn more: shopfront boarding in Romford
Do you cover my area in RM postcodes?
Yes—our coverage includes Romford and surrounding RM areas (RM1–RM50). If you’re unsure, call and we’ll confirm. You can also browse areas we cover.
Do I need to wait for the police before boarding up?
If police have asked you to preserve evidence, follow their advice. If the property is unsafe or wide open, explain that when you call—often we can secure in a way that reduces risk while being sensible about the situation.
Next steps: get your property secure after a burglary
You don’t need to figure everything out tonight. If your door or window has been forced, we’ll help you take the immediate step that matters: secure the property and reduce the chance of further loss.
Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.
Or send details/photos (if safe) to [email protected].
