Boarding Up Pricing in Chelmsford (CM0–CM77)

If you’re looking for boarding up pricing in Chelmsford, you’re probably doing so under pressure—after a smashed window, a forced door, or storm damage that can’t wait. We keep our pricing straightforward and explain what affects the cost, without vague “from £x” figures or unrealistic guarantees.

For urgent help, you can call any time: Call 01245 945 217. If it’s not an emergency, you can also email us with photos and your CM postcode for a quote.

We cover Chelmsford and the wider CM area (CM0–CM77) and we’ve been trading for 10+ years. Our technicians are DBS-checked, and we’re fully insured.

What affects the cost of boarding up?

Every job is priced on what it actually takes to make safe and secure the property properly. The biggest factors are:

1) The size and number of openings

A single pane on a small ground-floor window is very different to multiple openings after vandalism, or a wide commercial frontage. Larger spans require larger sheets, more fixings, and often more than one technician.

Typical examples:

  • One board up broken window on a house
  • Several windows after a smashed window incident
  • A shopfront boarded up with multiple panels
  • A board up door after forced entry

If you’re unsure what’s needed, our what is boarding up guide explains the basics and when different methods are used.

2) Materials used (and why)

We match the material to the risk level, the opening type, and how long it needs to stay secure.

Common materials/specs we use include:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable temporary boarding (often preferred for higher-risk or longer periods)
  • 12mm OSB for smaller/low-risk openings where appropriate
  • Anti-tamper fixings where there’s a higher chance of attempted removal from outside
  • Temporary steel doors where a doorway can’t be secured safely with timber alone

Where appropriate, we may recommend alternatives to timber—particularly for longer-term void security. See door boarding in Chelmsford for more on temporary steel doors.

3) Access, height, and safe working requirements

Pricing can change depending on how easy (or difficult) it is to reach the damage safely:

  • Upper-floor windows
  • Rear access only (no side passage)
  • Tight access around extensions, conservatories, or alleyways
  • Rooflights/skylights or damaged soffits that need careful approach

For overhead openings, our approach is covered on roof boarding.

4) The condition of the frames and surrounding structure

If the timber frame, brickwork, or door surround is heavily compromised, it can affect:

  • Whether we can fix boards non-destructively
  • How we spread load to avoid further cracking
  • Whether additional bracing is required to secure the opening

If the structure looks unsafe, we’ll tell you plainly. We’re there to secure the property—not to guess on structural integrity.

5) Time and urgency (out of hours vs planned work)

An out of hours call late at night or during a busy spell can be priced differently to a planned daytime visit. We don’t promise fixed arrival times; instead, we prioritise urgent risks and give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

If you need 24/7 boarding up, go straight to our emergency page: emergency boarding up.

6) Commercial requirements (if applicable)

For shops, offices, or managed buildings, pricing may be affected by:

  • Larger openings and thicker materials
  • Site rules and permissions
  • Need for working around alarms, shutters, or security patrols
  • Documentation required by facilities teams (work statements, invoices, photos)

See shopfront boarding if you’re dealing with a retail or commercial frontage.

Typical pricing scenarios (without fixed figures)

We don’t publish set prices online because boarding up is genuinely variable. Instead, here are realistic scenarios that show what changes the cost:

  • Single domestic window boarding: Usually one opening, straightforward access, standard sheet and fixings.
  • Forced door after burglary: May involve boarding plus temporary door security if the frame is damaged; more labour and heavier-duty fixings.
  • Multiple smashed windows: More materials, more time on site, potentially second technician depending on size and layout.
  • Commercial shopfront: Larger panels, more complex fixing, often higher security requirement and potentially more time on site.

If you want the quickest accurate quote, send:

  • Photos of the damage (wide shot and close-up)
  • The property type (house/flat/shop/office)
  • Your CM postcode
  • Whether the property will be left unattended

What’s included when we price a job?

We price to complete a proper “secure and make safe” outcome, not to do the bare minimum and leave you exposed.

Depending on the job, pricing can include:

  • Site attendance and initial safety check
  • Correct material selection (plywood/OSB/steel options)
  • Fixings suited to the surface and risk level
  • Boarding fitted to reduce leverage points and minimise gaps
  • Basic advice on next steps (glazier, locksmith, insurer)

If you need insurer-friendly records, we can usually provide:

  • Time-stamped photos (before and after)
  • An itemised invoice
  • A brief work description for your claim

For more on documentation, see insurance claims help.

How we quote (and how to get the most accurate price)

For emergency jobs

If it’s urgent—your window has been smashed or the door won’t secure—call us and we’ll gather the essentials quickly:

  1. What happened (burglary, accident, vandalism, storm)
  2. What’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight)
  3. Whether anyone is at risk and whether the property will be vacant
  4. Your location (Chelmsford / CM postcode)

Then we’ll give you the clearest possible guidance on likely scope and an estimated cost range where appropriate.

For emergency help: Call 01245 945 217.

For planned or non-urgent work

If you’re securing a void property between tenancies, or want preventative security, the best route is to email photos and details so we can quote properly.

Planned work is often ideal for:

  • Vacant properties awaiting sale
  • Post-repair temporary security while glazing is ordered
  • Repeated vandalism risk where security screens may be a better fit

If the job is about a longer-term vacant building, you may also want to read vacant property boarding up.

Payment, invoicing, and paperwork

We aim to keep admin simple, especially when you’re dealing with insurers or property managers.

You can typically expect:

  • A clear invoice showing what was done and what materials were used
  • Photos if requested (useful for landlords and insurance)
  • The option to communicate by phone or email depending on what’s easiest

If you’re coordinating as a landlord, agent, or facilities manager, our DBS-checked technicians and insured status can be important for compliance and reassurance.

If you’d like to confirm anything before booking, use our contact page.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often, emergency boarding up is treated as a reasonable “loss mitigation” step after incidents like burglary, vandalism, storm damage, fire, or impact damage—but every policy is different.

A few practical pointers (that won’t harm your claim):

  • Report crimes and get a reference number if police attendance is required/appropriate
  • Take photos before boarding (if it’s safe)
  • Keep receipts and invoices
  • Notify your insurer as early as you can

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t interpret your policy, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. More guidance is on our insurance claims page.

Pricing questions we get asked in Chelmsford & CM postcodes

How much does boarding up cost in Chelmsford?

It depends on the opening size, materials, access, and urgency. The fastest way to get an accurate price is to call with a description and photos, or email us with images and your CM postcode.

Do you charge more out of hours?

Out of hours attendance can be priced differently because it’s urgent, unscheduled work. We’ll always explain any additional cost factors before we attend.

Can you give a quote from photos?

Often, yes—especially for straightforward window or door openings. If the frame is badly damaged or access is unclear, we may need to inspect on site to confirm the safest fixing method.

Is shopfront boarding more expensive than domestic boarding?

Usually, yes—commercial openings are often larger and may need thicker materials, more fixings, and higher security measures. If your priority is to reopen quickly and reduce risk overnight, temporary boarding is typically the first step.

Do you provide receipts for insurance?

Yes. We can provide itemised invoices and (when requested) time-stamped photos to support your claim. See insurance claims help.

Can you secure a property even if the door frame is damaged?

In many cases, yes—either with boarding methods or by fitting a temporary steel door where appropriate. If the structure is too compromised for safe fixing, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

When pricing is the wrong focus (and what to do instead)

If you’re dealing with an open property after a break-in or smashed window, the priority should be safety and security first—especially if children are present, it’s raining, or the property will be empty overnight.

If you need urgent help now, go straight to: 24 hour emergency boarding up in Chelmsford.

Ready to get a quote?

Need help now or want a clear price? Call 01245 945 217 for guidance and a realistic estimate, or email us with photos and your CM postcode for a no-obligation quote.