Burglary Repairs in Ilford (IG) — Making Your Property Safe After a Break‑In

A burglary is upsetting, and the damage is often what hits you next: a kicked-in door, a smashed window, a bent frame that won’t lock, or a shopfront that’s suddenly wide open to the street. If you need burglary repairs in Ilford, our priority is simple—make the property safe, secure the opening, and help you move forward with the right documentation for insurance.

We provide emergency boarding up and make-safe support across Ilford and the IG postcodes (IG1–IG11). Our technicians are DBS-checked, we’re fully insured, and we’ve been trading for 10+ years.

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email for non-urgent enquiries? [email protected]

When burglary repairs are needed (common scenarios)

People usually find us after a break-in when:

A front or back door has been forced (lock snapped, panel split, frame cracked)
A smashed window is letting in wind and rain, or it’s now an easy entry point
A patio/side door won’t close or the multi-point locking is damaged
A shopfront is broken and you need it shopfront boarded up before you can reopen safely
The property will be unoccupied overnight (or longer), and you need to secure property quickly
You’ve had a first incident and want to prevent a second—sadly repeat attempts can happen if an opening is left vulnerable

If you’re dealing with an active emergency (intruders may still be nearby), call the police first. Once it’s safe, we can help you make safe and install temporary boarding to protect the building.

Out of hours? We can still help. For urgent attendance, use our emergency page: emergency boarding up.

What to do immediately after a burglary (practical steps)

In the first hour, it’s easy to feel pulled in different directions. This order usually helps:

Make sure everyone is safe and don’t enter if you think someone may still be inside.
Call the police and get (or note) your crime reference number.
Take photos of damage if it’s safe—wide shots and close-ups help later.
Don’t clear up glass or touch forced-entry points until police say it’s OK (fingerprints may matter).
Call us to board up broken window areas or board up door openings so the property can be secured.

Need to secure the property tonight? Call 020 4634 8292 and we’ll talk you through what’s happened and give you a realistic ETA.

How we secure a property after a break‑in (what “make-safe” means)

Burglary repairs often involve two parts:

Immediate security (boarding up / temporary protection)
Follow-on repairs (glazing replacement, joinery, locks) by the appropriate trades

We focus on securing the opening quickly and correctly—especially when the property will be unattended. If the damage is more complex (for example, the surrounding frame is crumbling or there’s structural movement), we’ll explain what’s possible and what isn’t before we fix anything in place.

Typical make-safe methods we use

18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable protection on larger or higher-risk openings
12mm OSB for smaller openings or where a lighter board is appropriate
Anti-tamper fixings where needed (important if boards could be removed from outside)
Careful fixing into sound substrate (brickwork/timber) to avoid making damage worse
Boarding styles to suit the opening: recess fit (when suitable) or face fit over the reveal

We’ll also look at obvious weak points created by the break-in—such as a door that “closes” but doesn’t lock properly, or a window that has lost its integrity even if it’s not fully shattered.

For service detail, see:

Burglary damage to doors: when boarding isn’t enough

After forced entry, the door itself might be splintered, but the bigger issue can be the frame and lock area. If a door can’t be secured properly, boarding can be a short-term patch—but it may not be the best protection if the property needs to remain accessible (for example, you’re living there or trades need entry).

Temporary steel doors (medium-term security)

Where appropriate, we can install a temporary steel door to provide robust security while you arrange permanent repairs. This is often useful for:

Vacant properties between tenancies
Doors that are beyond safe re-locking due to frame damage
Buildings where repeated access is needed but security must remain high

If you think a steel door may be the right option, call and describe the door type and damage. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

Related reading: vacant property boarding and security

Burglary damage to windows: quick weatherproofing and safety

A smashed window isn’t just a security issue. It can quickly become:

A weather problem (rain and wind damage inside)
A safety problem (loose shards and unstable frames)
An insurance problem (further damage after the incident)

If you need to board up broken window openings, we’ll aim to protect the area properly, keeping edges safe and fixing boards so they can’t be easily removed from outside. For upstairs windows or awkward access, we’ll discuss safe working options before starting.

Learn more about methods and materials: window boarding in Ilford

Commercial burglary repairs: shops, offices, and mixed-use buildings

For commercial properties, the priority is often to secure the frontage fast—especially if the incident affects trading or leaves stock exposed. We frequently help with:

shopfront boarded up after impact damage or vandalism linked to a break-in
Boarding to glazed doors and side panels
Securing rear service doors and alley access points
Making safe for premises that must remain closed until glazing is replaced

For businesses, we can provide paperwork that’s useful for insurers and facilities teams, including an itemised invoice and a clear work statement.

See: shopfront boarding and commercial properties

What happens when you call (our 3-step process)

When you call for burglary repairs in Ilford, we keep it straightforward:

Assess on the phone
We’ll ask what’s been damaged (door/window/shopfront), whether the police have attended, and whether the property is occupied. We’ll then give you a realistic ETA—we don’t promise fixed arrival times because conditions and workload vary.
Attend and make safe
On arrival, we’ll confirm the best method to secure property and explain what we’re going to do. We then install temporary boarding using appropriate materials and fixings.
Provide documentation
You’ll receive time-stamped photos (where possible), an itemised invoice, and a brief work statement describing what was done—helpful for insurance claims and property records.

Need out of hours help tonight? Call 020 4634 8292.

Insurance after a burglary: what we can (and can’t) do

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t approve claims—but we can support your claim by providing the information insurers typically ask for when emergency security is required.

What’s usually helpful:

Photos of damage (before and after boarding, when safe)
Crime reference number
Itemised invoice for emergency attendance and materials
Work statement noting openings secured and methods used

If you’re making a claim, it’s often best to notify your insurer early, even if permanent repairs will follow later.

More guidance: insurance claims support

Typical burglary repair scenario (what it can look like)

Every job is different, but a common situation is a forced entry that damages both a door and nearby glazing:

The lock side of the door is split and won’t secure
A side panel or adjacent window is cracked or smashed
The property needs to be locked up overnight, sometimes while you wait for a locksmith, glazier, or full replacement joinery

In these cases we’ll often board up door openings or vulnerable panels, and board up broken window areas so the building is safe and weather-tight enough until permanent repairs are arranged. If the layout allows, we’ll also advise on improving short-term security (for example, using anti-tamper fixings when the property is vacant).

Areas we cover around Ilford (IG1–IG11)

We attend burglary make-safe call-outs across Ilford and the wider IG area, including:

IG1 (Ilford) and surrounding neighbourhoods
IG2 (Gants Hill / Newbury Park area)
IG3 (Seven Kings)
IG4 (Redbridge)
IG5 (Clayhall area)
IG6 (Barkingside / Hainault area)
IG7 (Chigwell)
IG8 (Woodford Bridge / Woodford Green area)
IG9 (Buckhurst Hill)
IG10 (Loughton / High Beach area)
IG11 (Barking)

You can also use our local pages if you’re searching nearby:

For a full list, see: areas we cover

FAQs — Burglary repairs & emergency boarding up in Ilford

How quickly can you board up after a burglary?

We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, including out of hours. We don’t quote guaranteed arrival times—traffic, access, and current workload matter—but when you call we’ll give you a realistic ETA.

Can you secure my property tonight if my door won’t lock?

Yes—if you need to secure property after a break-in, we can often board up door openings or install a more secure temporary solution depending on the damage. Tell us what’s happened and whether the frame is broken.

What if the window frame is too damaged to board neatly?

If the surrounding frame or substrate is unsafe, we’ll explain options before proceeding. Sometimes we can fix into sound brickwork; other times the opening needs a different approach to avoid causing additional damage.

Do you provide receipts and documents for insurance?

Yes. We can provide an itemised invoice, work statement, and (where possible) time-stamped photos. We’re not loss adjusters, but we provide documentation insurers typically ask for.

Should I clear up glass before you arrive?

Only if the police have finished and it’s safe. If there may be fingerprints or evidence, it’s better to leave the affected area until police advise. Your safety comes first—avoid handling shards without proper protection.

Can you board up a shopfront after a break-in?

Yes. We regularly help with shopfront boarded up call-outs to secure retail glazing quickly and reduce risk to stock and staff. See shopfront boarding.

Will boarding up stop another break-in?

Boarding up significantly reduces opportunistic access and protects broken openings. We use appropriate board thickness and fixings, including anti-tamper methods when needed. No temporary measure can guarantee prevention, but correct boarding is a strong deterrent and an important immediate step.

Do you cover my area in the IG postcodes?

We cover Ilford and IG1–IG11. If you’re unsure, call and we’ll confirm over the phone, or check areas we cover.

Can you help if the property is vacant between tenants?

Yes—vacant properties often need stronger, longer-lasting security options. Take a look at vacant property services and call us to discuss the level of risk and access needs.

Need emergency burglary repairs in Ilford?

If you’ve had a break-in, you don’t have to decide everything tonight. The first step is simply to make safe and secure the property so you can rest, speak to your insurer, and arrange permanent repairs.

For urgent help now: emergency boarding up
For windows: window boarding in Ilford
For doors: door boarding in Ilford
For businesses: shopfront boarding

Need help now? Call 020 4634 8292 for immediate assistance.
Non-urgent: [email protected]

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