FAQs – Boarding Up Milton Keynes
If you’re here because you’ve got a smashed window, a forced door, or a shopfront that needs to be made safe quickly, you’re not alone. These situations are stressful—and when a property is exposed, it can quickly become a security and weather problem as well.
Below are the most common questions we’re asked about boarding up in Milton Keynes and across MK postcodes (MK1–MK77). If you need urgent help, call us and we’ll talk you through the safest next steps and give you a realistic ETA based on where you are and what’s happening on site.
Need help now? Call 01908 024 702 or email us.
Emergency & attendance
Do you offer 24/7 emergency boarding up in Milton Keynes?
Yes. We provide 24/7 boarding up across Milton Keynes and the wider MK area, including out of hours call-outs. We prioritise urgent jobs such as a smashed window, a broken shopfront, or a property that can’t be secured after a break-in.
For immediate assistance, see our dedicated emergency page: emergency boarding up.
How quickly can you get here?
We don’t promise fixed arrival times because traffic, weather, access, and current workload can all affect attendance. What we do do is prioritise urgent “make safe” situations and give you a realistic ETA on the phone once we know:
- your postcode (e.g., MK1, MK9, MK14)
- what’s been damaged (window, door, shopfront, rooflight)
- whether the site is safe to work at (police/fire service involvement, structural risk)
Can you board up a window tonight?
In many cases, yes. If you need to board up a broken window tonight—especially after a burglary or vandalism—we can usually arrange temporary boarding out of hours. Call us with the postcode and a brief description of the opening (ground floor/upper floor, approximate size, any remaining glass).
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.
What information should I have ready when I call?
Having a few details ready helps us advise correctly and arrive prepared:
- Address and postcode
- What’s happened (break-in, accident, storm damage, fire)
- What needs securing (window/door/shopfront/roof)
- Whether anyone is on site and if the police have attended (if relevant)
- Any immediate hazards (loose glass, shutters half-down, unstable frames)
Photos are helpful (sent after the call), but don’t take them if it’s unsafe.
What boarding up involves (materials & methods)
What materials do you use—plywood or OSB?
It depends on the risk level, opening size, and how long the property needs to remain secure. Commonly we use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable protection on larger openings and higher-risk sites
- 12mm OSB for smaller openings or short-term security where appropriate
We choose materials based on strength, fixing method, and whether the property will be unattended. For more detail, see what is boarding up.
How do you fix boards—will you damage my window frames?
We aim to secure the opening in the safest, most appropriate way for the situation. Fixing methods vary depending on the substrate (timber, uPVC, masonry), access, and condition of the frame.
Where possible, we use methods that reduce unnecessary damage. If the surrounding frame is already split, rotten, or unstable, we’ll tell you what’s realistic and agree the approach before we start.
Do you use anti-tamper fixings?
Where the risk warrants it—yes. Anti-tamper fixings make it much harder for someone to remove boards from the outside, which is particularly important if:
- the property is vacant
- the opening faces a public area
- there’s a risk of repeat targeting after a break-in
For doorways that can’t be reliably boarded, we may recommend a temporary steel door solution for stronger medium-term security.
Can you board up doors as well as windows?
Yes. We regularly board up doors after forced entry, impact damage, or when a door can’t be locked. Depending on the doorway condition, we can:
- board over the opening to prevent access
- install a temporary steel door (often the best option for repeated access needs)
Read more about door boarding in Milton Keynes.
Do you board up shopfronts and commercial glazing?
Yes—commercial sites are a big part of what we do, particularly when a shopfront is smashed and needs to be secured out of hours. Shopfront openings often require larger sheets, careful fixing, and additional consideration for public safety.
More detail is available on shopfront boarding.
Can you secure rooflights, skylights, or roof damage?
Yes. Roof-level openings need special attention because weather can cause further damage quickly. We can board and weather-protect rooflights/skylights where safe access is possible.
See roof boarding for how we approach overhead openings.
Situations we’re commonly called out to
Do you handle burglary repairs and boarding after a break-in?
We do the make safe and security side: boarding broken windows, securing forced doors, and protecting the property until repairs can be carried out by a glazier or locksmith.
If you’ve just had a break-in, this page may help: burglary repairs and boarding.
Can you help after vandalism (smashed windows / damaged shopfronts)?
Yes. Vandalism often involves a smashed window or damaged glazing that can’t wait until morning—especially in colder months or if the property is on a visible frontage. We can board up to prevent entry and reduce further damage.
More information: vandalism repair and boarding.
Do you provide boarding up after storm damage?
Yes. Storm damage can leave windows cracked, frames loosened, or panels blown out. Boarding up is often the quickest way to secure the property and keep the weather out until permanent repairs are arranged.
Can you board up a property after a fire?
Yes—we can secure doors, windows, and other openings after fire damage once the site is safe to enter (often after the fire service has completed their work). We don’t provide smoke/odour remediation, but we can prevent unauthorised access and further weather damage.
Read more: fire damage securing.
What about flood damage—can you still secure doors and windows?
Flooding can swell timber, warp doors, and weaken frames. We can still often board or secure openings, but we may recommend ventilation considerations depending on the condition of the building. If something is too compromised to fix safely, we’ll explain why and discuss alternatives.
More information: flood damage securing.
If a vehicle hits my property, can you make it safe?
Yes. Impacts can create unstable openings and hazards (loose masonry, distorted frames, shattered glass). Our priority is to make safe and secure the opening. If there are signs of structural instability, we may advise waiting for the appropriate authority/engineer before work continues.
Insurance, documentation & landlords
Is boarding up covered by insurance?
Often it is, particularly where boarding is necessary to prevent further damage after burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or impact. Coverage depends on your policy terms and excess, so it’s best to contact your insurer as early as possible.
We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide documentation insurers typically ask for. For guidance, visit: insurance claims.
What should I provide my insurer after an incident?
Insurers commonly ask for some combination of:
- incident details (date/time/cause)
- crime reference number (if police attended)
- photos of the damage (if safe to take)
- an itemised invoice and description of works carried out
We can supply clear work statements and, where appropriate, time-stamped photos of the completed boarding.
Can landlords and letting agents arrange boarding up?
Yes—landlords, agents, and property managers regularly use us to secure houses, flats, and HMOs between tenancies or after incidents. If access is an issue (keys, occupants, alarm codes), tell us when you call so we can plan the safest approach.
You may also find these useful:
Do you work with commercial property and facilities management?
Yes. We assist shops, offices, warehouses, and managed sites across the MK area. We can work to site rules where required and provide straightforward documentation for your records.
Pricing & what you get
How much does boarding up cost in Milton Keynes?
Costs depend on the size and number of openings, height/access requirements, material choice (plywood/OSB), and the fixing method needed. Out of hours work can also affect pricing.
We don’t publish fixed prices because each job is different, but we’ll explain the likely cost drivers clearly. For more detail, visit: pricing.
Do you provide quotes?
For planned work and non-urgent securing, yes—get in touch with details and photos if you have them. For emergencies, we focus first on making the property safe and secure, then provide clear paperwork afterwards.
If you’d like to speak to us, use the contact page or call directly.
What will I receive after the job is done?
Typically, customers receive:
- confirmation of what was secured (which openings and how)
- an itemised invoice
- a simple description of works carried out (useful for insurers/landlords)
- photos of the completed boarding where appropriate
If you need anything specific for a facilities team or insurer, tell us at the start.
Safety, access & practical concerns
Should I clear broken glass before you arrive?
Only if it’s safe. Broken glass is a serious injury risk—especially around shopfronts and doorways. If you can safely keep people away from the area (pets, children, customers), do that first. If there are immediate dangers in a public area, call the relevant emergency services.
When we arrive, we’ll work to reduce hazards as part of the make safe process.
Can you board up from the outside if nobody is home?
Sometimes, yes—depending on access, height, and whether we can safely work without needing entry. For upper floors, rear elevations, or properties with restricted access, we may need someone on site or a key holder.
If the job is urgent, call and we’ll talk through the options.
Will boarding up stop draughts and rain completely?
Boarding is primarily about security and preventing further exposure. We fit boards carefully, but the level of weatherproofing can vary depending on how damaged the frame is and the shape of the opening. If the surround is badly compromised, we’ll explain what can and can’t be achieved with temporary boarding.
Coverage
What areas do you cover around Milton Keynes?
We cover Milton Keynes and surrounding areas across MK1–MK77. If you’re unsure whether you’re within our service area, check areas we cover or call us with your postcode.
Do you cover my postcode (MK1, MK2, MK3 etc.)?
In most cases, yes—Milton Keynes postcode districts are part of our normal coverage. If you call, we’ll confirm immediately and provide the most realistic attendance estimate we can.
Reviews & trust
Are your technicians insured and DBS-checked?
Yes. We’re fully insured, and we use DBS-checked technicians. We know you’re often calling us at a stressful time—sometimes late at night—and trust matters.
You can also read what customers say on our reviews page.
How long have you been trading?
We’ve been providing boarding up and property securing services for 10+ years across Milton Keynes and the MK area.
Still got a question?
If your question isn’t answered here, call us—often a two-minute chat is enough to work out the safest next step.
Ready to get started? Call 01908 024 702 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.
