What counts as an emergency
Any breach in the building envelope, a broken window, a forced door, storm-damaged siding, or a hole from a vehicle or falling debris, counts as a board-up emergency if it leaves the interior exposed. A cracked but intact window that still seals the opening usually does not need an emergency board-up.
The first hour
What the site contact should do before the technician arrives.
- Confirm no one is inside the building who should not be, and call police if the opening was caused by a break-in.
- Photograph the damage from multiple angles before anything is moved or cleaned up, for the insurance claim.
- Clear broken glass or debris away from walkways to prevent injury, without disturbing evidence if a crime occurred.
- Note what is visible or accessible through the opening, including cash registers, safes, or inventory near the breach.
- Contact the alarm monitoring company if the breach could have triggered or bypassed the security system.
- Open a work order with the property's insurance carrier and the facility platform, noting the time of discovery.
What usually caused it
What the response includes
- Rapid dispatch to assess the size and location of the breach and any structural concerns.
- Plywood or OSB boarding cut and fastened to the specific opening, not a generic panel taped over it.
- Weatherproofing of the boarded area if rain or wind exposure is a factor.
- Photo documentation of the damage and the completed board-up for insurance and internal records.
- A written scope of what was boarded, with materials used, for the claims file.
- Coordination with glass, door, or roofing trades for the permanent repair that follows the temporary board-up.
- Debris removal from the immediate area, where included in the service scope.
Making it less likely next time
- Add exterior glazing and door hardware checks to the seasonal preventive maintenance walkthrough, especially before storm seasons.
- Review exterior lighting and camera coverage at points that have been targeted for break-ins before.
- Keep an updated emergency contact list posted for staff so the first call after hours goes to the right provider, not a search engine.
- Confirm the insurance policy's board-up and temporary repair coverage terms before an incident happens, not during the claim.
What it costs
| item | typical range | what moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Single window board-up | $150 to $400 | Depends on window size, height, and whether after-hours labor rates apply. |
| Storefront door or large glass panel board-up | $300 to $800 | Larger openings need more material and structural framing to hold the board securely. |
| Multi-opening storm response | $800 to $3,000+ | Cost scales with the number of openings and whether a ladder or lift is needed for upper-level damage. |
| Reinforced or steel-plate securing | $500 to $1,500 | Used when plywood alone will not deter repeat break-in attempts, such as after a targeted burglary. |
National ranges. Local labor, access, after-hours timing and materials move them. Multi-site programs usually price below one-off calls.
How to choose a provider
- Ask for a firm after-hours response window, since a board-up delayed overnight defeats the purpose.
- Confirm the crew brings materials on the truck rather than sourcing plywood after arrival.
- Ask whether photo documentation is standard or needs to be requested separately for the insurance file.
- Confirm the provider coordinates directly with glass, door, or roofing trades for the permanent fix, rather than leaving that scheduling to the site manager.
- Check whether the company works with the facility's platform or ticketing system for multi-site accounts.
- Confirm pricing for after-hours, weekend, and holiday calls before dispatch, not after the invoice arrives.
Questions
How fast can a board-up crew usually respond after hours?
Response varies by market and provider, but most emergency board-up services aim to secure an opening within a few hours of the call, particularly overnight when exposure risk is highest.
Is a board-up a permanent fix?
No. It is a temporary measure to secure the opening until the window, door, or wall section can be permanently repaired or replaced.
Does insurance typically cover board-up costs?
Many commercial property policies cover emergency mitigation costs like board-up, but coverage terms differ, so confirming with the carrier or broker ahead of time avoids surprises.
Should the police report be filed before or after the board-up?
For break-ins, contact police first if anyone may still be on the property, then document damage before boarding, since boarding can obscure evidence.
What material is typically used for a commercial board-up?
Plywood or OSB panels are standard, sized and fastened to the specific opening, sometimes reinforced with steel plating for repeat-target locations.