Vacant Property Boarding in Kingston
If you need vacant property boarding Kingston landlords, agents and owners can rely on, we provide fast, tidy and insurer-friendly solutions to secure empty homes and commercial premises across the KT postcode area. From short-term plywood/OSB boarding to medium-term Sitex-style steel security screens and temporary steel doors, our DBS-checked technicians make your property safe, deter intruders and protect against the weather—24/7.
We prioritise non-destructive securing wherever possible and document every job with time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice and a simple work statement to help with insurance and compliance. Based in Kingston upon Thames and covering KT1–KT24, we work for homeowners, landlords, estate agents, facilities managers and housing teams.
When You Need This
Empty and void properties are a target for opportunists, weather ingress and accidental damage. Our vacant property boarding service is designed to secure empty property quickly and responsibly, including:
- Between tenancies or during refurbishment (void property security).
- Probate, repossession or long-term vacancy management.
- After a break-in, vandalism or smashed glazing—reduce further risk while you plan repairs.
- Following storm damage, fire or flood where openings must be made safe and weatherproof.
- When insurers or asset managers require you to secure empty property to prevent secondary loss.
- Where repeated attempts at forced entry make stronger measures (steel security screens, temporary steel doors) sensible.
Common scenarios we attend across Kingston, Surbiton, Norbiton, New Malden, Tolworth and Chessington include:
- Board up broken window or door where glazing is missing or at risk of falling.
- Non-destructive securing of sash windows and French doors to keep character features intact.
- Temporary secure door with controlled access for contractors while the property remains vacant.
- Sitex-style security screens for medium-term security with light and ventilation.
Whether you need a single boarded-up window or a complete site package with steel screens, anti-tamper fixings and coded access, we tailor the solution to the property and your timeframe.
How We Secure Your Property
Our approach combines speed, safety and care for the fabric of the building. We use robust materials, proven methods and clear communication, explaining every step in plain English.
- Initial assessment and plan
- Visual inspection of all entry points, outbuildings and weak spots.
- Risk check (loose glass, electrics/water after fire or flood, unstable frames).
- Measuring, photos and a simple plan: what we’ll board, how we’ll fix it, and how access will be managed.
- Plywood or OSB boarding (short to medium term)
- Material options: exterior-grade plywood or OSB typically 11–18 mm thick, chosen to suit the opening size, height and risk.
- Fixings: anti-tamper fixings designed so they can’t be easily removed from outside.
- Non-destructive securing wherever possible: we use frame clamps, internal bracing and pressure-fit methods to avoid drilling original frames.
- When drilling is unavoidable: if frames are missing/rotted or after structural damage, we’ll explain why through-bolting is safer, use packers to protect reveals and make fixings as reversible as practical.
- Temporary steel doors (controlled access)
- Purpose-made temporary steel doors with multi-point locking and anti-tamper fixings.
- Keyed cylinders or coded locks so agents, surveyors and contractors can enter without compromising security.
- Adjustable frames to suit a range of openings in period homes and shopfronts.
- Steel security screens (Sitex-style)
- Anti-vandal security screens (also known as Sitex-style) for medium-term vacant property security.
- Perforated steel allows light and ventilation while preventing access and fly-tipping.
- Internal bracing and anti-tamper fixings keep screens secure without damaging the façade more than necessary.
- Ideal for repeated vandalism hotspots or prolonged void periods.
- Weatherproofing and safety
- Temporary weatherproofing with flashings, membranes or shrink-wrap where appropriate.
- Rooflights and skylights: OSB boarding and tarping to keep water out; we can liaise with your roofer for follow-on works.
- Safe removal of loose glass and tidy-up so the site is safe for access.
- Documentation for your records
- Time-stamped photos before and after.
- Itemised invoice and a brief statement of works.
- If relevant after a break-in, please keep your police reference number for the insurer.
- Professional, insured and accountable
- 10+ years’ experience in boarding up contractors work across Kingston and KT.
- Public liability insured and DBS-checked technicians for peace of mind.
- Workmanship guarantee on our boarding and fitting.
Why Choose Us
- Local presence in Kingston upon Thames: We cover KT1–KT24—Kingston, Surbiton, Norbiton, New Malden, Tolworth, Chessington, Thames Ditton, Esher, Epsom, Walton, Weybridge and beyond.
- 24/7 availability: Out-of-hours boarding up, same-day response and efficient dispatch across KT. No hard ETAs—just honest communication and reliable attendance.
- Non-destructive securing first: We preserve frames and finishes wherever possible; if stronger measures are needed due to structural damage or missing frames, we explain why and agree the approach.
- Materials that last: Exterior-grade plywood/OSB, anti-tamper fixings, temporary steel doors and steel security screens for robust protection.
- Insurer-friendly paperwork: Photos, itemised invoices and a simple work statement. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we provide what most insurers expect to see.
- Trusted people: DBS-checked technicians, polite on site, tidy working and clear handover, including keys/codes and access instructions.
- Landlord and agent friendly: Access management, key control and flexible appointments around inspections, viewings and contractor visits.
What Happens Next
- Talk to us: Share your situation, address and a few photos if possible. We’ll advise the best mix of plywood/OSB boarding, temporary steel doors and Sitex-style screens for your timeframe and budget.
- On-site securing: We attend, make safe and secure, then clean up and hand over keys/codes.
- Handover pack: You receive time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice and a brief work statement to support insurance or compliance.
Useful pages while planning:
- Compare approaches to protecting windows with our window boarding in Kingston.
- Where a door is compromised or repeated access is required, see door boarding up.
- For claim paperwork and queries, our insurance support explains how we help.
- Check the neighbourhoods we serve on areas we cover.
FAQs
What is “boarding up” and how is it different from steel security screens?
Boarding up usually means fitting exterior-grade plywood or OSB over openings with anti-tamper fixings to keep people out and weather out. Steel security screens (Sitex-style) are perforated metal panels fixed with anti-tamper systems and internal bracing for stronger, medium-term vacant property security with light and ventilation. Learn more in our explainer: what is boarding up?
Can you secure an empty property without drilling into frames?
Wherever possible we use non-destructive securing, such as internal bracing and frame clamps, so original frames aren’t drilled. If frames are missing, rotten or structurally unsound, we may recommend through-bolting or steel screens for safety; we’ll explain the reasons first.
How long does it take to board up a property?
Most single openings are secured in under an hour once on site; whole-house or multi-opening jobs vary with size and access. We provide efficient dispatch across KT but avoid promising fixed ETAs. If it’s urgent, our 24/7 team can help via 24/7 emergency boarding up.
Do you provide access for agents and contractors?
Yes. Temporary steel doors can be fitted with keyed cylinders or coded locks, and we’ll agree who holds keys, codes and any changeover protocols. We also note any access windows in your handover.
Are boarding up costs covered by insurance?
Often, yes for incidents like break-ins, vandalism or storm damage, but it depends on your policy. We supply time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice and a brief work statement to support your claim. See our guide to insurance support. We’re not legal advisers or loss adjusters.
How much does vacant property boarding cost in Kingston?
Costs depend on the number and size of openings, height/access (ladders vs towers), material choice (plywood vs OSB; thickness), fixings, and whether you need steel security screens or a temporary steel door. For a breakdown of factors without fixed prices, visit boarding up prices.
What if the property has storm or fire damage as well?
We can make safe, board or screen openings and add temporary weatherproofing. For rooflights or damaged roofs, we coordinate with our roof & skylight boarding methods and can liaise with your roofer or insurer-appointed contractors.
Final thoughts on securing empty property
Securing an empty building is about more than a quick board over a window. It’s balancing security, safety, access and fabric protection—especially in period properties around Kingston, Norbiton and Coombe. With 10+ years’ experience, public liability insurance, DBS-checked teams and a non-destructive approach wherever possible, we’ll help you protect the asset, deter intruders and keep insurers satisfied until permanent works are complete.
Need help now or planning for a void period? We can attend 24/7 or schedule ahead for handovers and inspections.
Need help now? Call 020 4572 1601 or Email us.
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