Burglary Repairs in Tonbridge: Emergency Boarding Up & Making Your Property Secure Again

A break-in is upsetting, and the last thing you need is to feel exposed in your own home or responsible for an unsecured site overnight. If you’re dealing with burglary damage in Tonbridge or anywhere across the TN postcodes, we can help you make safe quickly with practical, no-nonsense burglary repairs — typically focused on emergency boarding up, securing damaged doors/windows, and leaving the property safe until permanent glazing or joinery repairs can be completed.

If you need urgent help now, call 01732 900 178.

We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked.

When burglary repairs are needed (and what “make safe” really means)

Burglary repairs usually aren’t “finish repairs” on the night. In most cases, your priority is to:

Stop easy re-entry (especially if the property will be unattended)
Remove immediate hazards (loose glass, splintered frames, exposed openings)
Weatherproof the building as far as possible
Document the damage for your insurer or landlord/facilities team
Buy time for the correct long-term repair (glazier, locksmith, joiner)

That’s where boarding up and temporary security solutions fit in. We don’t replace locks or fit new glazing as the main scope of this service; instead, we secure what’s been damaged so you can safely move to the next step.

If you’re in a hurry, go straight to our emergency page: emergency boarding up.

Common signs your property needs boarding after a break-in

People call us for burglary repairs when they’ve got one or more of the following:

A smashed window or cracked pane that won’t lock shut
A forced or split uPVC door panel
A timber door that’s been shouldered and won’t close properly
A rear patio door off its runners
A side gate/entry that’s been compromised, leaving an accessible route to the back of the property
A shop or office with broken glazing that needs to be secured out of hours
A vacant property where damage can’t be left open overnight

Even if the opening is “only” a small pane, it can still be an invitation to re-entry. If you’re unsure, call and we’ll talk through what’s damaged and what’s needed to secure the property.

What to do straight away after a burglary (Tonbridge & TN area)

Before we attend, these steps help keep things safe and straightforward for you:

Call the police if the intruder may still be nearby or you haven’t reported it yet.
Don’t touch anything if forensic work may be needed (especially around doors/windows).
Take photos of the damage if it’s safe to do so — wide shots and close-ups help with insurance.
Find your crime reference number (or make a note of it when you receive it).
Call your insurer early if you can. We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide documentation insurers typically request.
If glass is loose, keep people/pets away from the area.

When you’re ready, call 01732 900 178 and we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on workload and location across the TN postcodes.

How we secure properties after burglary (our make-safe process)

Every break-in is different — sometimes it’s a small bathroom window, sometimes it’s a badly damaged door frame. Our approach is consistent: secure the opening properly, explain what we’re doing, and leave you with clear documentation.

1) Initial assessment and safe access

We’ll look at:

What’s damaged (glass only, frame damage, hinges/locks, surrounding masonry/timber)
Whether there are hazards (loose glass, sharp edges, unstable panels)
The best fixing method to resist removal from outside

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

2) Boarding the opening with the right materials

For burglary repairs, we typically use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable protection on larger openings
12mm OSB for smaller openings where appropriate (often internal or less exposed areas)

We choose thickness and fixing method based on the size of the opening, exposure to weather, and whether the property is likely to be unattended.

For window-related damage, see: window boarding in Tonbridge.

3) Fixings designed to deter re-entry

A board is only as good as how it’s fixed. Where required, we use anti-tamper fixings and methods that reduce the risk of the board being removed from outside — especially important for ground-floor windows, rear access points, and quiet locations.

Where a doorway is badly compromised, boarding alone may not be the best solution. In those cases we may recommend a temporary steel door approach as a more secure short-to-medium-term measure (depending on the property and access requirements).

Door-specific options here: door boarding in Tonbridge.

4) Final check and sensible advice for next steps

Before we leave, we’ll check:

The opening is secure and stable
There are no obvious safety hazards left behind
You know what to arrange next (glazing, joinery, lock replacement, etc.)

We’ll also advise if there’s anything else that could be a weak point (for example, a second window that has been cracked but not fully broken).

What you get for insurance and property records

After burglary repairs, paperwork matters — especially for insurers, landlords, and facilities teams. We can provide:

Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed make-safe
An itemised invoice
A brief work statement describing what was done and what materials were used

We’re not legal advisors or loss adjusters, but we do aim to give you the practical documentation insurers typically need.

For more on the admin side, see: insurance claims support.

Burglary repairs for homes, shops, and vacant properties

Residential burglary repairs (houses, flats, maisonettes)

In domestic situations, the priority is making the property feel safe again quickly. We regularly secure:

Ground floor windows and rear doors
Side access points
Communal entrances (where applicable and authorised)

If you’re a homeowner, tenant, or landlord, our goal is to make safe without complicating the next stage of proper repair.

Related: residential boarding up.

Commercial break-ins (shops, offices, mixed-use)

Burglary damage to a shopfront or office often needs attention out of hours to protect stock, equipment, and the premises.

We can secure:

Broken glazing and vulnerable panels
Larger frontages that need strong boarding and reliable fixings
Temporary protection while you arrange glazing replacement

Vacant properties and voids (between tenants or probate)

A break-in at an empty property can quickly lead to repeat attempts. For voids, the emphasis is on deterrence and medium-term solutions where appropriate.

Related: vacant property boarding up.

Typical burglary scenarios we’re called to in Tonbridge & the TN postcodes

Every job is different, but these are common call-outs:

A board up broken window request after a ground-floor smash-and-grab style entry
A board up door after a forced timber door or damaged uPVC
Temporary boarding where glazing is delayed or the property must be left unattended
Out of hours boarding for shops and small offices
Make-safe after attempted entry where a window is cracked and won’t secure properly

If you’re unsure whether you need full boarding or a smaller make-safe, call us and we’ll help you decide.

How long does boarding last after a burglary?

Boarding is designed as a temporary security and weather protection measure. How long it stays in place depends on:

The availability of your glazier/joiner
Whether the frame is intact or needs carpentry
Weather exposure and the size/location of the opening
Insurance approvals (if relevant)

If you expect a longer wait, we can discuss more robust options such as enhanced door security (property-dependent). The key is not to leave a vulnerable opening “for a few days” if it’s easy to access.

Burglary repairs across Tonbridge and the TN area

We’re based in Tonbridge and cover TN postcode areas (TN1–TN40). That includes Tonbridge and surrounding locations across the TN districts (such as TN9, TN10, TN11, TN12, TN13, TN14, TN15, and beyond depending on the job).

If you’re outside Tonbridge but within TN, you can check our local coverage here: areas we cover.

FAQs: Burglary repairs & emergency boarding up

Can you board up my window tonight in Tonbridge?

If you need emergency boarding up, call 01732 900 178. We prioritise urgent call-outs and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone (we don’t promise fixed arrival times because conditions vary).

What should I do before you arrive?

If it’s safe: take a couple of photos, keep people away from broken glass, and have your crime reference number to hand. Avoid disturbing potential evidence until the police have finished.

Do you handle a smashed window even if it’s only a small pane?

Yes. A small smashed window can still be a security risk, especially at ground level or near rear access. We’ll advise whether a full board is needed or if a smaller make-safe is appropriate.

Can you secure a forced door as well as windows?

Yes — we can board up a door and, where suitable, discuss stronger temporary security options. See door boarding in Tonbridge.

Is burglary boarding covered by insurance?

Often it can be, but policies vary. We’re not loss adjusters, however we can provide time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a work statement to support a claim. See insurance claims support.

Do you replace the glass or repair the frame?

Our role is usually to make safe and secure the opening. Permanent glazing and joinery repairs are typically handled by a glazier/joiner/locksmith, but we’ll leave the property safe until those repairs are arranged.

Will boarding damage my window frames or brickwork?

We aim to use appropriate fixing methods for the surface and situation. If the surrounding area is already badly damaged, we’ll talk you through the options and likely outcomes before proceeding.

I’m a landlord/facilities manager — can you provide documentation for records?

Yes. We can provide photos, an itemised invoice, and a brief work statement—useful for building records, tenants, and insurers.

Can you board up a shopfront out of hours?

Yes, depending on availability. Call 01732 900 178 and we’ll advise. Shopfronts may require larger panels and secure fixing methods. See shopfront boarded up.

Need burglary repairs in Tonbridge? Next steps

If your door or window has been forced, don’t leave the property exposed. We’ll help you secure property quickly, provide clear documentation, and leave you with a safe, stable temporary solution.

Need help now? Call 01732 900 178 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? info@boarding-up-tonbridge.co.uk

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