Pricing for Boarding Up in St Albans (AL1–AL10)

When you’re dealing with a smashed window, a forced door, or a damaged shopfront, price is usually one of the first questions—right after “Can you get here quickly?”. This page explains how our pricing works for boarding up in St Albans and across the AL postcode area, what affects the cost, and what you’ll receive for your money.

If you need urgent help, you don’t have to read everything first: Call 01727 326 204 and we’ll talk through what’s happened and give you a clear estimate based on the details you can share.

How our pricing works (clear and upfront)

We don’t publish fixed prices online because boarding up jobs vary a lot. A small ground-floor pane that needs temporary boarding is a very different job to a large shopfront, a rooflight, or a door frame that’s been forced and pulled away.

What we can do is explain exactly what drives the cost and what information we need to quote accurately. When you call, we’ll ask a few practical questions and give you a realistic estimate. If anything changes once we’re on site (for example, hidden frame damage), we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

For urgent, out-of-hours requests, we prioritise make-safe work and securing the property. We don’t promise fixed arrival times, but we aim to attend as quickly as possible, and we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Need emergency boarding up in St Albans? Call 01727 326 204 now.

What affects the cost of boarding up?

1) The size and type of opening

The biggest pricing factor is usually the size and shape of what needs securing:

  • A small casement window is often straightforward
  • Bay windows and large panes take more material and time
  • Shopfront glazing can involve large boards, multiple fixing points, and public-facing safety considerations
  • Doors may require temporary reinforcement or a different approach entirely

If you’re specifically dealing with glazing damage, our window boarding in St Albans page explains the methods and materials we typically use.

2) Materials required (plywood vs OSB, plus fixings)

We select materials based on security needs, opening size, and exposure to weather:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for stronger, more durable boarding (especially where security is a concern)
  • OSB (often 12mm for smaller openings) can be suitable for some temporary boarding where appropriate
  • Anti-tamper fixings may be recommended if the property will be unattended, because they make it much harder to remove boards from the outside

We’ll always balance security with practicality—there’s no point paying for an approach that doesn’t match the risk or the time the building will be vacant.

3) Access, height, and site conditions

Costs can change depending on how easy it is to work safely:

  • Upper-floor windows, awkward rear access, or tight alleyways
  • Rooflights/skylights that require careful access planning
  • Properties with limited parking/loading nearby (common in busier parts of St Albans)
  • Unsafe glass fragments, sharp edges, or unstable frames that need additional make-safe steps first

For overhead openings, see roof boarding in St Albans for what’s involved.

4) The level of damage to frames and surrounds

Boarding up is designed to secure an opening, but the condition of the surrounding frame matters:

  • If frames are intact, we can often use non-destructive methods
  • If the frame is split, twisted, or crumbling, we may need to fix into more stable surrounding material
  • If the area is too damaged for safe, secure fixing, we’ll explain the options before we proceed

If your damage happened during a break-in, our burglary repairs and boarding up page covers what to do next and what insurers often ask for.

5) Property type: residential, commercial, or vacant

Different buildings have different requirements:

  • Homes and flats: quick securing, weather protection, and clear documentation for insurers
  • Shops and commercial units: shopfront safety, public liability considerations, and sometimes coordination with keyholders or facilities teams
  • Vacant properties: a stronger emphasis on longer-term security solutions

If you’re securing an empty building, you may want to read about vacant property boarding up.

6) Timing: in-hours vs out of hours

Out-of-hours call-outs can cost more due to staffing and urgency. If you need help tonight or over a weekend, we can still attend—just be aware that timing is a factor in pricing.

If you’re in an urgent situation, go straight to our emergency boarding up page or call 01727 326 204.

Typical pricing scenarios (examples of what changes the cost)

To make the pricing factors more concrete, here are a few common “types” of jobs and why costs differ. These are not fixed quotes—just examples of what we consider:

  • Smashed ground-floor window in a home: usually a single opening, straightforward access, boarding sized and fixed securely with appropriate weather protection.
  • Forced door after a break-in: may involve boarding the door opening or installing a more robust temporary solution depending on the damage. See door boarding in St Albans.
  • Shopfront boarded up after vandalism: often larger panels, multiple fixing points, and extra make-safe steps to protect the public and staff. Details on shopfront boarding in St Albans.
  • Rooflight damage after a storm: safe access planning and weatherproofing become a bigger part of the job. More on storm damage boarding up.

What you get for the price (and why it matters)

When people are making an insurance claim or handing work over to a landlord, housing association, or facilities team, paperwork matters almost as much as the boarding itself.

Depending on the job, you can expect:

  • A clear description of the work carried out (what was secured and how)
  • Itemised invoicing to support insurer or management company requirements
  • Time-stamped photos before and after (where appropriate and safe)
  • Guidance on what to do next if further repairs (glazing, joinery, locksmithing) are required

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. If you’re dealing with a claim, see our insurance claims guidance for practical next steps.

How to get an accurate quote quickly (what to tell us)

If you can, have the following to hand when you call:

  1. Your postcode (we cover St Albans and AL1–AL10)
  2. What’s damaged (window, door, shopfront, rooflight, multiple openings)
  3. Approximate size of the opening (even a rough estimate helps)
  4. Ground floor or upper floor (and whether access is easy)
  5. Is the property occupied or vacant?
  6. Any immediate hazards (loose glass, exposed wiring, unstable frames)
  7. If relevant, your police reference number (for break-ins or criminal damage)

If it’s safe to do so, a photo can help us estimate materials and fixings more accurately. Don’t put yourself at risk to take one.

Can boarding up be claimed on insurance?

Often, yes—especially where boarding up is required to prevent further loss after a burglary, vandalism, storm damage, or accident. Policies vary, and excess payments may apply, but emergency make-safe work is commonly treated as a necessary mitigation step.

A few practical tips that help claims go more smoothly:

  • Notify your insurer early and ask how they want emergency work recorded
  • Keep any crime reference number and incident notes
  • Take photos before work starts if safe
  • Don’t dispose of damaged items/glass if your insurer may want evidence (where practical)

For a clearer overview, read our insurance claims page.

Choosing the right option: temporary boarding vs stronger security

Not every property needs the same level of security. We’ll talk you through the most sensible option based on risk and timeframe.

  • Temporary boarding: ideal for short-term securing while glazing or joinery repairs are arranged.
  • More robust solutions: where a door has been forced repeatedly, the building is vacant, or there’s a higher risk of re-entry.

If you’re unsure what “boarding up” actually includes, our explainer on what boarding up is may help.

Coverage: St Albans and the AL postcode area

We quote and carry out work across St Albans and surrounding AL districts (AL1–AL10). Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, shop manager, or facilities contact, we’ll price the job based on the actual requirements—materials, access, risk, and urgency—rather than a one-size-fits-all rate.

You can see the wider coverage area on our areas we cover page.

Pricing FAQs (St Albans boarding up)

How much does boarding up cost in St Albans?

It depends on the opening size, access, material choice (plywood/OSB), and whether the job is out of hours. Call us with a few details and we’ll give you a clear estimate based on your situation: 01727 326 204.

Is out-of-hours boarding up more expensive?

It can be, because resourcing urgent attendance outside standard hours costs more. We’ll always explain the price basis on the phone before attending.

Can you give a quote over the phone?

Usually, yes—at least a practical estimate—if you can describe the damage and size. Photos can help if you’re able to send them safely.

Do you charge more for shopfronts and commercial properties?

Commercial openings are often larger and may require more materials, additional fixing points, and extra make-safe work to protect the public. That typically affects price.

Will you need to drill into the window frame?

Not always. Where possible we use non-destructive methods to secure boards. If the frame is too damaged or unstable, we’ll explain the safest fixing option before proceeding.

What’s included in your invoice for insurance?

We provide an itemised invoice and (where appropriate) time-stamped photos and a clear description of what was secured and how. See insurance claims guidance for what insurers commonly need.

Can you board up multiple openings at the same property?

Yes. If there are multiple windows/doors affected (for example after vandalism), we’ll assess the best way to secure everything efficiently and price accordingly.

Do you offer free quotes for non-emergency work?

Yes—if you’re planning ahead (for example securing a vacant unit between tenancies), we can quote without urgency. For planned work, you can also contact us by email.

Ready to get started?

Ready to get started? Call 01727 326 204 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.