Situations We Help With Across Dartford (DA1–DA18)

When something happens to your property—break-in, smashed window, storm damage or an accident—the priority is simple: secure the building quickly and safely. We provide boarding up in Dartford and across the DA postcodes to make safe damaged doors, windows, shopfronts and roof openings, helping you reduce risk while you arrange repairs and insurance.

If you need urgent help, use our emergency page: emergency boarding up or call now: Call 01322 952 450.

The situations we’re called out to most

These are the most common reasons people contact us for emergency boarding up Dartford and wider DA areas. Each link explains what to do next, what we can secure, and what documentation you may need for insurers.

If you’re not sure which category fits, call us and talk it through: 01322 952 450. We’ll ask a few practical questions and advise the safest next step.

What to do immediately (before we arrive)

In stressful situations it’s easy to miss steps that later help with repairs, police reports or insurance. Here’s a simple, practical checklist.

  1. Check for immediate danger
    If there’s fire risk, suspected structural instability, live electrics or gas smell, step back and call the relevant emergency service first.

  2. If a crime has happened, contact the police
    Keep your crime reference number. Insurers often ask for it.

  3. Take photos if it’s safe
    Wide shots and close-ups of the damage help. Don’t enter unsafe areas to “get a better picture”.

  4. Protect people first, then property
    Keep children and pets away from broken glass and exposed openings.

  5. Call for make-safe boarding
    The aim is to secure property quickly and reduce further loss. Use: emergency boarding up or call 01322 952 450.

How our make-safe service works (and what “boarding up” really means)

“Boarding up” can mean different things depending on the opening, access and risk level. We use appropriate materials and fixings to provide temporary boarding that’s strong, safe and difficult to remove from outside.

Typical methods include:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most doors, larger windows and higher-risk sites
  • OSB (often 12mm) for smaller openings where suitable
  • Anti-tamper fixings where the property may be unattended (important for repeat targeting)
  • Temporary steel doors where a doorway needs secure, usable access while repairs are arranged

To understand the options in more detail, see what is boarding up and our service pages like window boarding in Dartford and door boarding up.

Windows: smashed, cracked, or insecure frames

If you need to board up broken window after a smashed window, we’ll assess the frame condition and choose a fixing method that’s safe and secure. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

Related service: window boarding in Dartford

Doors: forced entry, splintered frames, missing panels

When you need to board up door after forced entry, we’ll focus on restoring secure closure and preventing re-entry. Depending on the damage and whether you need access, a temporary steel door can be the right choice.

Related service: door boarding up

Shopfronts: commercial glazing and high-footfall risks

A shopfront boarded up call-out often needs a little extra planning—public safety, larger panel sizes, and sometimes working out of hours to reduce disruption. We can provide make safe boarding that helps protect stock and keep the unit secure while glass replacement is arranged.

Related service: shopfront boarding

Roof openings and skylights: urgent weatherproofing

Storms and impacts can leave rooflights or skylights exposed. Roof-level work depends on safe access and conditions; if we can’t work at height safely, we’ll tell you and discuss alternatives. Our role is to secure the opening where safe to do so and help reduce water ingress risk.

Related service: roof boarding

What you’ll receive for insurance and property records

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t tell you what your insurer will approve—but we can provide the type of documentation insurers typically ask for after emergency works.

You can request:

  • Time-stamped photos of the secured openings (before/after where possible)
  • Itemised invoice describing materials and labour
  • Work statement (what was secured, method used, and any access limitations)

More guidance here: insurance claims support and our pricing approach (we don’t publish fixed prices because every opening and situation is different).

Common questions we’ll ask when you call

To give you a realistic plan and reduce surprises, we’ll ask a few straightforward details:

  • What happened (burglary, vandalism, storm, accident, fire, flood)?
  • Is the opening at ground floor, upper floor, or roof level?
  • Is anyone inside the property right now?
  • Are there hazards (loose glass, unstable frames, water ingress)?
  • Do you need access after boarding (e.g., a door that still needs to open)?
  • Is it residential, commercial, or a vacant unit?

We don’t quote fixed arrival times because conditions vary. If you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on workload and travel.

Property types we secure in Dartford and the DA postcodes

Different buildings have different risks and access issues. We regularly help with:

  • Residential homes and flats — security after break-ins, weather exposure, child safety around broken glazing
    See: residential property boarding up

  • Commercial premises — shopfront damage, out-of-hours make-safe, protecting stock and equipment
    See: commercial boarding up

  • Vacant and void properties — repeated targeting, longer-term security options like screens and temporary doors
    See: vacant property security

If you’re managing multiple sites (landlords, agents, facilities), we can provide consistent documentation and clear communication on what’s been secured and why.

Coverage: Dartford and surrounding DA areas

We cover Dartford and the DA postcode districts (DA1–DA18), prioritising urgent make-safe calls.

For local pages and nearby coverage, see areas we cover or start with boarding up in Dartford DA1.

FAQs about emergency boarding up situations

Can you board up my window tonight?

If you need someone who can board up broken window urgently, call us: Call 01322 952 450. We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. We’ll give you a realistic ETA over the phone.

What should I do if my shop window is smashed in Dartford?

If it’s safe, take photos, keep people away from the broken area, and contact your insurer as soon as practical. Then arrange shopfront boarded up make-safe to reduce further risk and protect stock. See: shopfront boarding or emergency boarding up.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often it can be, particularly after burglary, vandalism, storm damage or impact—but policies vary. We provide photos and an itemised invoice to support your claim. Guidance here: insurance claims support.

How long does boarding up take?

It depends on the number and size of openings, access (upper floors vs ground floor), and frame condition. A single window is usually quicker than a large shopfront or multiple openings. If you describe the damage when you call, we can give you a sensible expectation.

Can you secure a door but still allow entry?

Yes, in many cases. If you need continued access (for residents, trades, or a shop unit), we’ll discuss options such as a temporary steel door rather than fully closing off the doorway. See: door boarding up.

What if the frame is too damaged to fix boards safely?

We’ll tell you before proceeding. Sometimes the safest option is a different fixing method or a temporary door solution. If a situation isn’t safe to work on (for example, unstable structures or unsafe roof access), we’ll be upfront about limitations and suggest the next best step.

Do you provide out-of-hours boarding up?

Yes—we’re often called out of hours when damage happens unexpectedly. For urgent help, use: emergency boarding up.

Do landlords and letting agents use you for make-safe?

Yes. We can help secure properties between tenancies or after incidents, and provide documentation for records and insurance. See: vacant property security and pricing information.

Can you help after fire or flood?

We can make safe by securing broken doors/windows and exposed openings after fire or flooding. We don’t provide smoke/odour remediation or drying services, but we can help stabilise security while specialist contractors attend. See: fire damage and flood damage.

Next steps: tell us what happened and we’ll help you secure the property

If you’re dealing with a break-in, a smashed window, storm damage or an accident, we’ll guide you through the safest option for emergency boarding up and temporary security.

Need help now? Call 01322 952 450 for immediate assistance.
Or email details/photos (if safe) to info@boarding-up-dartford.co.uk.