Openings secured, answered 24/7
Emergency board-up for homes and storefronts in New York, NY
Window smashed, door forced or wall opened by fire? We cover it with plywood or sheeting to keep out weather and intruders until the permanent repair.
- Answering 24/7
- Homes and storefronts
- Photos before we cover
Quick answer
An emergency board-up in New York, NY covers broken windows, doors and fire-damaged openings with plywood or sheeting so the building is secure and weather stays out until the permanent repair. Published guides put board-up and tarping at about $300 to $1,500. We photograph the damage first, then secure it.
What a board-up is for
A board-up does two jobs: it keeps weather out and it keeps people out. After a fire, a break-in, a car through a storefront or storm debris through a window, the building is exposed until the glass or door is replaced, which can take days or weeks. Insurers generally expect you to protect the property from further damage, and a board-up is how that's done. For open roofs, see roof tarping.
We photograph everything before it's covered, measure the openings, cut plywood to fit and fasten it so it can't be pried off from outside. Storefronts get covers that keep the business secure and, where possible, still let you open.
Board-up after a fire
Firefighters often break windows and doors to vent the fire or get in. Once the fire department releases the building, we board every opening, which protects it from weather, theft and further damage while the fire restoration is planned.
Broken windows and doors
Break-ins, falling branches and storms leave a single window or door open to the weather. We cover it the same night, fastened from the inside where we can, and seal the edges against rain. The glazier or door installer works from our measurements.
Storefront board-up
A broken storefront leaves stock exposed and the business closed. We board or panel the opening quickly, keep the entry usable where possible so you can keep trading, and leave the frame ready for the glass company.
How a board-up call runs
Safety
If there's glass, live wiring or fire damage, we make the area safe first.
Photograph
The damage is photographed before anything is covered.
Measure and cut
Plywood or panels are cut to fit each opening.
Fasten and seal
Covers are fastened securely and sealed at the edges.
Record
You get photos and measurements for your insurer and the repair trade.
Storm and surge damage along the shore
Sandy brought heavy flooding and dune erosion to Long Beach and destroyed homes on the canals of Lindenhurst, and the Islip area holds the state's 24-hour rain record from 2014. Storms like those break windows and doors across whole neighborhoods at once. On those nights, boards go up first on the openings letting rain in, and the rest of the house is secured in order.
Building open to the street?
Call and we'll secure it tonight. We answer 24/7.
Board-up options
| Plywood | Clear temporary panels | |
|---|---|---|
| Security | High, fastened from inside where possible | Moderate |
| Light | Blocks light | Lets light in |
| Best for | Fire damage, break-ins, vacant buildings | Occupied homes and storefronts waiting for glass |
| Weather | Sealed at the edges | Sealed at the edges |
What emergency board-up costs
Number and size of openings, and the time of the call, set the price.
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency board-up and tarping | $300 to $1,500 | HomeCostLab |
These are planning ranges from published national cost guides, not a quote and not our price. We give you a written scope after we have measured the damage.
Number of openings
Each window or door adds material and time.
Size
Storefronts and large windows need more plywood and framing.
Height
Upper-floor windows need ladders or access from inside.
Fire damage
Damaged frames may need extra framing to fasten to.
Glass cleanup
Broken glass has to be cleared before covering.
Time of call
Night and storm calls are answered 24/7.
Panel type
Clear panels cost more than plywood.
Board-up questions
What people ask with a broken window.
We answer 24/7 and secure openings as soon as we're on site. Call and we'll give you an arrival window.
Policies commonly expect you to protect the property after a covered loss. Keep the invoice and photos.
Usually, if the rest of the home is safe. Clear panels keep some light in.
No. We secure the opening; a glazier replaces the glass from our measurements.
Often. We keep the entry usable where possible.
Until the permanent repair. We fasten it to last weeks if needed.
Related emergency services
Emergency Roof Tarping
Tarps and temporary covers on pitched, flat and parapet roofs.
Fire Damage Restoration
Board-up, soot removal, water from firefighting, and the rebuild.
Storm Damage Restoration
Wind-driven rain, fallen limbs and ice dam leaks, dried and repaired.
Commercial Restoration
Water and fire recovery for offices, stores, restaurants and warehouses.
Smoke and Soot Cleanup
Dry and oily soot cleaned off walls, ceilings, ducts and belongings.
Opening that needs securing?
Call and we'll board it up. We answer day and night.
Updated September 2026