Commercial Boarding Up in Chelmsford (CM) – Shops, Offices & Industrial Units

When a commercial property is damaged or left exposed, it’s not just about a broken pane of glass. It’s about protecting stock, sensitive information, staff safety, and your ability to trade tomorrow. If you need boarding up in Chelmsford for a shop, office, warehouse, site office or other commercial premises, we can help you make safe quickly and securely across CM postcodes (CM0–CM77).

For urgent call-outs (including out of hours), call 01245 945 217. If it’s safe to do so, take a few photos for your insurer before we arrive—then let us handle the security.

Commercial properties we secure (and why the approach differs)

Commercial boarding up is often more complex than domestic work because access, opening sizes, and compliance expectations are different. We regularly secure:

• Retail units (smashed glazing, damaged frames, compromised shopfront doors)
• Offices and managed buildings (ground-floor windows, rear access doors, communal entrances)
• Industrial units and workshops (roller shutters, personnel doors, high-level glazing)
• Restaurants and takeaways (front glazing, rear delivery doors, security after attempted entry)
• Empty shops / units between tenants (repeat risk if left unsecured)

Commercial sites are also more likely to need:

• A clear work statement and itemised invoice
• Time-stamped before/after photos for insurance or facilities reporting
• Practical decisions about whether boarding is short-term or whether you need a stronger medium-term solution (e.g., temporary steel doors or security screens)

If you’re dealing with an immediate incident, start here: emergency boarding up.

Typical scenarios we attend for commercial properties in the CM area

Below are common real-world situations where businesses call for temporary boarding or urgent securing. If any of these sound familiar, call 01245 945 217 and we’ll talk you through the safest next steps.

Smashed shopfront window (vandalism or attempted break-in)

A smashed window on a shopfront is an urgent security issue and a trading issue. Even if nothing has been taken, the opening needs to be secured—especially overnight.

What we typically do:

• Assess the opening and any remaining loose glass
• Install suitable boarding to deter re-entry and protect the interior
• Use fixings designed to reduce the risk of removal from outside (where appropriate)
• Provide documentation for your insurer

This is usually handled through shopfront boarding when the opening is large or customer-facing.

Door forced or frame damaged after a break-in

Commercial break-ins often involve the rear door, side access, or a weak point around the frame. If the door or frame is damaged, simply “locking up” isn’t enough.

Depending on the condition of the door and frame, we may:

• Board up the door opening to secure property
• Fit a temporary steel door where a stronger medium-term solution is needed
• Discuss non-destructive options first, but be honest if the frame is too compromised for a clean install

See: door boarding and our guidance on burglary repairs and securing.

Vehicle impact / accidental damage to frontage

A low-speed impact can take out a pane, a section of shopfront, or even distort the frame. The priority is safety and preventing further damage (weather and theft).

We’ll focus on:

• Making the area safe where possible
• Boarding to stabilise and secure the opening
• Flagging any concerns we can see (without pretending to be structural engineers)

If the incident has just happened and you need urgent help, use: emergency boarding up.

Storm damage to windows, doors, or rooflights

High winds can break glazing, dislodge panels, or damage rooflights on industrial and commercial buildings. If rain is coming in, you need a fast response to limit internal damage.

We can help with:

• Boarding broken windows and vulnerable openings
• Securing rooflights or overhead openings where accessible and safe
• Sensible, practical weatherproofing steps (within the limits of boarding work)

Related help: storm damage boarding and repairs and roof boarding.

Fire damage (post-incident security)

After a fire, windows and doors are often compromised—by heat, water, forced entry, or broken glazing. The building may be vulnerable even if the fire is out.

We can:

• Secure openings to prevent unauthorised access
• Provide photos and paperwork for insurance
• Coordinate access around your insurer’s next steps where possible

Important: we secure the property; smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope. See: fire damage securing.

How we board up commercial properties (materials, methods, and why)

Our goal is always the same: create a secure, stable barrier that reduces the risk of theft, vandalism, weather ingress, and liability—without doing unnecessary damage.

Choosing the right boarding material: plywood vs OSB

We select materials based on the opening size, location, and risk level:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for larger or higher-risk openings where strength matters.
• 12mm OSB can be suitable for smaller openings or lower-risk areas, depending on the frame and fixing method.

We’ll explain what we’re using and why—especially if the premises will be unattended and needs a more robust solution.

Fixing methods and anti-tamper considerations

Commercial properties are often targeted repeatedly, particularly if the first attempt suggests there are valuables inside. That’s why fixing method matters.

Where appropriate, we use:

• Fixings designed to be difficult to remove from the outside
• Methods that spread load and reduce the chance of boards being prised off
• A practical approach that considers the substrate (timber frame, masonry reveals, metal framing)

If the surrounding structure is too damaged to safely fix into, we’ll tell you immediately and discuss alternatives rather than “forcing” a poor install.

Security options beyond timber boarding

Some commercial properties need more than plywood—particularly vacant units, sites with repeat incidents, or doors that can’t be reliably secured.

We may recommend:

• Temporary steel doors for medium-term access and stronger security (ideal when trades need entry during repairs)
• Steel security screens for longer-term void security where regular attacks are likely

If you’re managing a unit between tenants, it may also be worth reading about securing vacant property boarding.

What to expect when you call us (commercial process)

If you’re dealing with a stressful incident, it helps to know what will happen next.

1. Call and describe the damage
   Tell us what’s been damaged (shopfront, rear door, windows, rooflight), whether access is safe, and whether police are in attendance.

2. We give a realistic ETA
   We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic, call volume, and safety constraints vary—but we will be straight with you on the phone.

3. Site assessment on arrival
   We’ll check the opening size, frame condition, and the safest fixing approach. If anything changes the plan, we explain it before proceeding.

4. Make safe and secure property
   We board up, check for other vulnerable points, and confirm the building is left as secure as practicable.

5. Documentation for your records/insurer
   You’ll receive what businesses typically need: photos, an itemised invoice, and a clear description of works completed.

For urgent assistance, call 01245 945 217.

Insurance and facilities management: what we can (and can’t) do

Commercial claims can be paperwork-heavy. We’re not loss adjusters and can’t advise on policy coverage, but we can support your claim by providing:

• Time-stamped photos of damage and completed boarding
• A work record you can forward to your insurer or facilities team
• An invoice that itemises labour and materials

Practical tip: keep your police reference number (if applicable) and notify your insurer early. More guidance is here: insurance claims support.

Common commercial questions (that come up on call-outs)

Can you board up a broken shop window tonight?

Yes—if you need shopfront boarded up urgently, we offer 24/7 boarding up across Chelmsford and the wider CM area. Call 01245 945 217 and we’ll advise on next steps and a realistic ETA.

Can you secure a door if the lock and frame are damaged?

Usually, yes. If the door/frame is too compromised to be reliably secured, we’ll talk you through options such as door boarding or a temporary steel door approach where appropriate.

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

Yes. We regularly help property managers who need the site secured, documented, and left safe for follow-on trades and glazing contractors.

Will boarding up stop water getting in?

Boarding helps protect the opening and reduce wind-driven rain, but it’s not the same as a permanent repair. If you have storm damage, we’ll secure what we can and explain any limitations clearly.

Do you provide paperwork for insurance?

Yes—photos and an itemised invoice are standard. If you have specific facilities requirements, tell us when you call.

Areas we cover for commercial boarding up (CM0–CM77)

We cover Chelmsford and surrounding Essex areas across CM postcodes (CM0–CM77). If you manage multiple sites, we can support call-outs across the wider CM region, not just the city centre.

Examples of nearby coverage pages:

• boarding up Chelmsford (CM1)
• boarding up Writtle (CM1)
• boarding up Boreham (CM3)
• boarding up Witham (CM8)
• boarding up Braintree (CM7)

If you’re unsure whether your postcode is included, call and we’ll confirm.

Why businesses choose us for commercial boarding up in Chelmsford

You need a contractor who turns up prepared, secures the building properly, and leaves you with the documentation your business needs.

• 10+ years trading
• Fully insured
• DBS-checked technicians
• Experienced across shops, offices, industrial units, and managed buildings
• Straightforward communication and clear paperwork

You can also read more about how boarding works in general here: what is boarding up?.

Ready to secure your commercial property?

Need help now or arranging planned securing for a commercial unit? Call 01245 945 217 or email us with the address, photos (if safe), and a brief description of the damage. We’ll advise the best way to secure property and confirm a realistic attendance window.