Burglary Repairs in Woking: What To Do Next and How We Secure Your Property

A break-in is stressful, disruptive and often frightening. If you’re reading this after discovering a burglary in Woking or the GU21–GU24 area, you’re not alone—and there’s a clear next step. We provide emergency burglary repairs and make-safe boarding across Woking, covering GU21, GU22, GU23 and GU24. Our DBS-checked technicians secure doors, windows and shopfronts 24/7 so you can lock up, breathe, and start the insurance process with proper documentation.

If you need urgent help now, please call 01483 694 663. We’ll prioritise your call, give you a realistic ETA on the phone, and advise what to do while you wait.

When Burglary Repairs Are Needed

Burglary-related damage usually falls into a few patterns:

Forced entry through a timber or uPVC door: split jambs, failed locks, or hinges torn from the frame.
Smashed window to reach a handle or latch: broken panes, damaged beads, or compromised sash frames.
Shopfront attack: glazed units kicked or rammed, aluminium frames twisted, mullions loosened.
Secondary damage: police or fire service gaining access in an emergency, or vandals returning to an already compromised opening.

Repairs begin with making the property safe and secure. Full reinstatement (new glazing, joinery, or metalwork) often takes longer, especially if parts must be ordered or insurers need to approve quotes. Our role is to secure your property immediately after the incident and provide clear documentation that helps move your claim forward.

Typical triggers for calling us:

Returning home to a prised-open back door
Waking to a smashed window on the ground floor
Arriving to a shopfront with broken glass before opening time
Landlords or agents notified of a forced entry at a vacant property

If you’re unsure whether to board up or attempt a quick fix yourself, call us. We’ll advise what’s safe and what your insurer is likely to accept as a temporary measure.

How We Secure Properties After a Break-In

We focus on fast, appropriate make-safe work that’s insurer-friendly and keeps you protected while permanent repairs are arranged. Our approach is practical and tailored to each opening.

Step 1: Assess and Make Safe

Visual check of the affected openings, frames and surrounding structure.
Remove loose, dangerous glass and debris where safe to do so.
Photograph damage (time-stamped) before any works begin.

Why it matters: Initial photos support your claim and record the original condition.

Step 2: Choose the Right Temporary Security

Windows: Typically boarded with 18mm exterior-grade plywood cut to size. For smaller panes or internal secondary boards, we may use 12mm OSB if appropriate.
Doors: Temporary boarding across the opening, or installation of a temporary steel door when medium-term access control is needed (e.g., failed locks, vacant properties).
Shopfronts: Larger-format boards or framed panelling to span mullions and transoms without overloading the frame.

Why it matters: Correct thickness and fixings reduce flexing, deter tampering, and resist weather.

Step 3: Fixings and Methods

Anti-tamper fixings used externally to prevent removal from outside.
Where possible, we use through-bolting or bracing that doesn’t further damage sound sections of frame.
If frames are too compromised for non-destructive fixings, we’ll explain options, including backing timbers or internal packers, before proceeding.

Why it matters: Secure fixings deter re-entry attempts and reduce the risk of further damage.

Step 4: Weatherproofing and Edges

Seal edges as needed to reduce draughts and water ingress, especially for roof lights or exposed elevations.
Check that doors and emergency exits remain functional if still in use.

Why it matters: After a burglary, you need security and basic weather resistance while you plan permanent repairs.

Step 5: Handover and Documentation

Time-stamped photos of before and after.
Itemised invoice and a short works statement describing materials and methods.
Guidance for your insurer and, where requested, photos emailed directly.

Why it matters: Clear records help claims move faster and reduce queries.

For specific solutions, you can read more here:

What You Should Do Immediately After a Break-In

Safety first. If you suspect the intruder is still present, do not enter—call 999.

If it’s safe:

Take a few clear photos of the damage from different angles.
Avoid touching disturbed areas until the police have attended, if they are coming.
Keep your crime reference number; you’ll need it for insurance.
Call us to secure the property: 01483 694 663.
Inform your insurer early. Ask whether they want to appoint their own repairer or are happy for you to instruct us for temporary boarding.
If glass is scattered, keep pets and children away. We’ll handle safe clean-up around the opening as part of our make-safe work.
If keys were stolen, consider locks/temporary steel door—discuss with us on the call.

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we’ll provide the documentation insurers typically ask for and can liaise with you on next steps.

Doors, Windows, Shopfronts: Choosing the Right Temporary Solution

Windows with smashed glass: We’ll board externally with exterior-grade plywood, fixed using anti-tamper screws into solid substrate. If uPVC beads or sash components are damaged, we’ll stabilise them beneath the board.
Forced doors with split frames: We can brace and board or fit a temporary steel door to restore secure access. This is often the best option if locks are compromised or you need controlled entry while waiting for a joiner or new door set.
Damaged shopfront glazing: We custom-cut boards to span the full opening, picking up structural points on the frame rather than just the fractured glass area. For multi-bay shopfronts, we may add internal bracing to spread loads.

If you’re managing a vacant or repeatedly targeted property, medium-term security options such as steel doors or security screens can help reduce repeat incidents. Talk to us about suitability and lead times.

Explore related services:

Materials and Fixings We Trust

18mm exterior-grade plywood for most external window and door boards
12mm OSB for smaller internal panels or secondary backing where appropriate
Anti-tamper fixings designed to resist standard hand tools
Bracing timbers and packers to support compromised frames without excessive extra damage
Edge seals where weather exposure is a concern

Why we use them: Burglary repair boarding must resist opportunistic removal and the elements. Using correct thicknesses and tamper-resistant fixings is essential, especially if the property will be unattended overnight or longer.

What You’ll Receive From Us

Priority response for urgent situations across GU21–GU24
DBS-checked technicians and a fully insured service
Clear, practical advice on the phone before we arrive
Time-stamped before/after photos
Itemised invoice and a brief works statement suitable for insurer submission
Honest guidance on next steps and permanent repair options

For more on claims and paperwork, see our guide to insurance claims. If you want to understand the basics of make-safe methods, read what is boarding up.

Typical Burglary Call-Out (Example Scenario)

A typical call-out might involve a GU21 semi-detached property after a late-evening break-in through a rear uPVC door. The frame is split at the lock side and the glass in the top panel is shattered. We attend out of hours, remove loose glass, photograph the damage, and board the full door aperture externally using 18mm plywood fixed into the sound sections of frame and masonry. Because the lock is unusable and the household needs controlled access, we discuss and install a temporary steel door with multiple locking points. Before leaving, we provide time-stamped photos and a works statement for the insurer, and explain options for a permanent replacement door.

Commercially, a similar scenario might be a smashed shopfront in GU22 before opening time. We would span the damaged bay with boards, brace internally if needed, and ensure the remaining door can be locked. Where glazing contractors are involved for final replacement, our boarding stays in place until they’re ready.

Frequently Asked Questions About Burglary Repairs in Woking

Can you come out tonight to board up a smashed window in GU21 or GU22?

Yes. We provide out-of-hours make-safe work across GU21 and GU22. Call 01483 694 663 and we’ll give you a realistic ETA based on current workload.

Will boarding up affect my insurance claim?

Proper temporary security is normally expected by insurers after a burglary. We supply time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice, and a short works statement—documentation your insurer typically asks for.

Do you replace the broken glass or just board up?

Our core role is emergency boarding up to secure the property. We’ll explain permanent repair options and can coordinate with your chosen glazier or contractor. If you need medium-term solutions, we can fit temporary steel doors while you wait for parts.

What if the door frame is too damaged to fix without more drilling?

If the frame is too compromised for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding—such as additional backing timbers or a temporary steel door. We aim to minimise further damage while ensuring proper security.

How long will the temporary boarding stay in place?

As long as needed until permanent repairs are completed. For occupied homes and busy shops, many clients arrange permanent works within days. For vacant properties, we can advise on longer-term options like steel doors or security screens.

Can you secure a shopfront in GU23 or GU24 before opening?

Yes. We regularly secure commercial premises across GU23 and GU24. We’ll assess the frame, span larger openings correctly, and make sure you can lock up safely.

How much does burglary boarding cost in Woking?

Costs depend on opening size, materials required, access, and time of day. We’ll be transparent on the phone and provide an itemised invoice. For factors that affect price, see our pricing page.

What should I do while I wait for you to arrive?

If safe: keep people away from broken glass, take a few photos, and retain your police reference number. If keys were taken, let us know—we may recommend a temporary steel door for immediate controlled access.

Areas We Cover for Burglary Repairs

We cover burglary repairs and emergency boarding up across Woking and the GU21–GU24 postcode districts, including residential homes, shops and managed properties. We prioritise urgent calls and attend as quickly as possible. On your call, we’ll confirm a practical ETA based on distance and traffic.

Looking for local context? We also operate in:

Ready When You Are

Need urgent help to secure your property after a burglary? Call 01483 694 663 for immediate assistance. Prefer email? Send details to info@boarding-up-woking.co.uk and we’ll respond promptly.

Helpful links:

Learn more about our emergency boarding up
Explore window boarding, door boarding and shopfront boarding
Check our insurance claims and pricing pages
Read answers to common queries in our FAQs and recent reviews

Request a Call-Back Today