What this covers
After a storm, a fire, a break-in or a vehicle strike, a home can be left open to the weather and to anyone who walks by. Emergency board-up closes those openings with cut-to-fit plywood fastened to the frame, covers damaged roof sections, and secures doors so the home is weather-tight and locked until permanent repairs begin.
When to call
- A broken window or door after a storm, break-in or accident.
- A fire-damaged home that must be secured before anyone leaves it.
- A hole in a wall or roof that needs covering tonight.
What to expect
- CallBoard-up crews respond around the clock. Tell the company what is open and whether anyone is in the home.
- Make safeBroken glass and loose material are cleared from the opening.
- Board and securePlywood is measured, cut and fastened into the frame. Doors are secured so they lock.
- DocumentThe company photographs the opening before and after and leaves you a record of the work.
First, make it safe
Get a certified company
Tell us what happened and we will connect you with one certified restoration company for your ZIP code. Your details are shared only after you agree to that company by name.
Questions people ask
Will the plywood damage the frame?
The boards are fastened with screws into the frame, which leaves small holes that are filled when the window or door is replaced.
How soon can someone come?
Board-up is an emergency service and companies respond at any hour. Ask for the expected arrival time when you call.
Is the home safe to stay in once it is boarded?
Boarding keeps weather and people out. Whether the home is safe to occupy depends on the damage: after a fire, the fire department decides; after a storm with water inside, a certified company checks for electrical and structural hazards.
Related: Emergency roof tarping · Storm damage repair · Vehicle impact damage repair · All restoration and emergency services
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.