Burglary Repairs in Dartford (DA) — Emergency Boarding Up & Make‑Safe
A break‑in is stressful, messy, and often leaves you feeling exposed in your own home or responsible for an insecure premises. If you need burglary repairs in Dartford or anywhere across the DA postcodes, our job is simple: secure the property, reduce the risk of a second entry, and give you the documentation you’ll likely need for insurance.
For urgent help (including out of hours), call Call 01322 952 450. If it’s safe to do so, we can often advise immediate next steps on the phone while you wait.
If you’re in immediate danger or the intruder may still be nearby, call 999 first.
When “burglary repairs” are needed (and what we mean by it)
Most burglary call‑outs aren’t “repairs” in the joinery sense on the first night. The immediate priority is make safe and secure property work so the building can be left unattended without inviting further theft or damage.
You may need burglary repairs support when you have:
- A smashed window or cracked glazing after forced entry
- A door that’s been kicked in, split, or pulled away from the frame
- A prised shopfront or damaged lock area on a commercial unit
- A vulnerable ground-floor or rear opening where the intruder gained access
- A property that can’t be properly locked afterwards (even if the glass isn’t fully broken)
In these situations, we typically carry out temporary boarding and/or fit a temporary steel door where appropriate, then you can arrange permanent glazing/door replacement once things have calmed down.
For urgent attendance, use our emergency page: emergency boarding up.
First steps after a break‑in (practical and insurer‑friendly)
If you’ve just discovered a burglary, these steps help protect you and keep the claim process smoother:
-
Check safety first
Don’t enter if you think someone may still be inside. Call police. -
Get a police reference number
Insurers commonly ask for this. -
Take photos (only if safe)
A quick photo of the damaged door/window from a safe distance can be useful before anything is moved. -
Avoid touching points of entry
Police may need to examine the door/window area. -
Call us to make safe and secure the opening
Call 01322 952 450 and tell us what’s happened: door/window, floor level, whether the property is occupied, and if there’s any immediate weather exposure.
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can provide the straightforward, practical documentation insurers typically request after emergency works.
What we do: making your property secure again
Burglars often damage frames, locks, and glazing in ways that leave openings weak even if you “shut the door” afterwards. Our approach focuses on strong, tidy, and tamper‑resistant security while keeping future repairs straightforward.
1) Assess the entry point and the surrounding frame
On arrival, we’ll look at:
- Whether the frame can take fixings safely
- Any additional vulnerable panels nearby (side lights, fanlights, secondary glazing)
- Whether there’s internal access needed (for flats, communal doors, rear gardens, etc.)
- Immediate hazards (loose glass, sharp edges, unstable door leaf)
If the frame is too damaged for non‑destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
2) Board up broken windows properly (not just “cover it”)
For a board up broken window, we typically use:
- 18mm exterior‑grade plywood for stronger, longer holds and larger openings
- 12mm OSB for smaller or low‑risk apertures where appropriate
We use anti‑tamper fixings where practical, because a basic screw job can be removed from outside—exactly what you don’t want if the property will be unattended.
If you want the method and options in full, see: window boarding in Dartford.
3) Secure damaged doors (boarding or temporary steel doors)
A forced door can be deceptive: it might close, but the lock area or frame may be compromised.
Depending on damage and risk, we may:
- board up door openings where the door is beyond immediate use
- install a temporary steel door for stronger medium‑term security (ideal for vacant properties or repeated targeting)
- reinforce the area so it’s harder to re‑enter
Learn more here: door boarding in Dartford.
4) Keep it practical for follow‑on repairs
We aim to secure openings in a way that:
- protects the interior from weather
- deters repeat entry
- can be removed cleanly later for glazing/door replacement
Where appropriate, we’ll also flag if you may need a joiner, glazier, or locksmith next—so you’re not left guessing.
Common burglary damage we’re called out to in Dartford & DA postcodes
Across Dartford and the DA1–DA18 area, we commonly see:
- Rear or side windows forced on houses and maisonettes
- Ground-floor flats with damaged glazing near shared access
- Commercial units with damaged front glazing needing a shopfront boarded up
- Vacant properties between tenancies targeted for copper, tools, or appliances
- Multiple points of entry where the first break‑in reveals other weak spots
If you manage a business premises, you may also need: shopfront boarding to keep trading disruption minimal while you arrange replacement glazing.
What you’ll receive (useful for insurers and landlords)
After burglary boarding and make‑safe work, we can provide:
- Time‑stamped photos of the secured openings
- An itemised invoice
- A clear work statement describing materials and method used
This is often helpful for landlords, facilities managers, and anyone submitting an insurance claim. For guidance on what insurers usually ask for, see: insurance claims support.
Why quick make‑safe matters after burglary
Even when the police have attended and the intruder has gone, an unsecured opening can lead to:
- repeat entry (burglars sometimes return)
- weather damage (rain and wind through a broken window)
- liability issues for commercial sites (public access)
- invalidated insurance conditions if “reasonable steps” weren’t taken to secure the premises
If you’re worried about leaving the property overnight, call Call 01322 952 450. We’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone—we don’t quote fixed arrival times, because workload and road conditions vary, but we prioritise urgent calls.
Burglary repairs for different property types
Residential homes, flats and maisonettes
We focus on fast, tidy security and clear communication—especially if the home is occupied. If you’re a homeowner or tenant, you might also want: residential property boarding up.
Shops, offices and mixed‑use buildings
Commercial break‑ins often happen out of hours, and the priority is secure and compliant make‑safe so the site can be left until a glazier attends. See: commercial property boarding up.
Vacant and void properties
Void properties are at higher risk of repeat attention. If the building is unoccupied, you may want stronger solutions such as steel doors or screens. Start here: vacant property security.
Typical scenario (what this looks like in real life)
If someone forces a rear door or breaks a ground-floor window, you’re often left with a compromised frame and an opening that can’t be locked properly. In that situation, we’ll usually:
- remove immediate hazards (loose glass where safe to do so)
- measure and fit boarding using exterior‑grade sheet material
- use anti‑tamper fixings where practical to deter removal
- photograph the secured area and provide an itemised invoice and work statement
Permanent repairs (new glazing, door leaf, frames, locks) can then be arranged without leaving the property vulnerable in the meantime.
FAQs — Burglary Boarding & Repairs in Dartford
Do you cover emergency boarding up after burglary in Dartford?
Yes. We cover Dartford and DA postcode districts (DA1–DA18) and provide emergency boarding up for break‑ins, including out of hours calls. For urgent help: Call 01322 952 450.
Who can board up my window tonight?
If you need to board up broken window damage tonight, call 01322 952 450. We’ll take details and give you a realistic ETA based on location and workload.
Can you board up a door after it’s been kicked in?
Yes. We can board up door openings and, where suitable, install a temporary steel door for stronger security. See: door boarding in Dartford.
Will you secure both the window and the door if there’s more than one entry point?
We can secure multiple openings in one visit. When you call, let us know how many areas are damaged (front, rear, upstairs/downstairs) so we arrive prepared.
Is burglary boarding up covered by insurance?
It often is, but cover depends on your policy terms. We can supply photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support your claim. More guidance: insurance claims support.
How long does boarding up take?
It depends on the size and number of openings, access, and how damaged the frames are. A single window is usually quicker than a complex shopfront or multiple openings. When you call, we’ll talk through what you’re dealing with and set expectations.
What if the window frame is too damaged to fix boards securely?
If the frame won’t safely take fixings, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. In some cases we can use alternative fixing methods; in others you may need a follow‑on repair before a fully robust solution is possible.
Can landlords or letting agents arrange burglary repairs?
Yes—landlords, agents and facilities managers regularly instruct us to make safe after a break‑in, especially for empty or between‑tenancy properties. We can provide documentation suitable for your records and insurers.
Do you handle smashed shopfront glass after a burglary?
Yes. We can get a shopfront boarded up to secure the premises quickly, then you can arrange replacement glazing. See: shopfront boarding.
Next steps: get your property secured
If you’ve had a break‑in, the priority is to secure property properly and reduce the chance of a second entry. We’re fully insured, have DBS‑checked technicians, and have been trading for 10+ years across Dartford and the DA area.
Need help now? Call 01322 952 450 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-dartford.co.uk
