Reviews: Boarding Up East London

When you need boarding up in East London, it’s usually because something’s already gone wrong — a smashed window, a forced door, storm damage, or a shopfront that can’t be left open overnight. In those moments, you’re not looking for sales talk. You want to know: Will they turn up, make it safe, and leave the place properly secured?

Below is a selection of customer feedback for Boarding Up East London, along with a clear explanation of how our work is carried out and what we provide on every job. We’ve been trading for 10+ years across the E postcode area (E1–E77), we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked.

If you need urgent help, go straight to our emergency page: emergency boarding up or call 020 4634 6384.

What customers tend to mention in their feedback

Across residential, commercial, and vacant property work, the same practical points come up again and again:

  • Clear communication on the phone (what we can do, what we can’t, and a realistic ETA)
  • Safe, secure fixing (not just “a board over a hole”)
  • Respect for the property — especially important after burglary or vandalism
  • Documentation that helps with insurance: photos, work notes, and itemised invoices
  • Advice on next steps (glazier, door repair, locks, longer-term security options)

If you’d like to understand the different approaches (plywood vs OSB, anti-tamper fixings, temporary steel doors), our guide explains the basics: what is boarding up?

Customer reviews

The comments below are representative of the kind of feedback we receive for emergency boarding up East London and planned securing work. (Names/identifying details may be abbreviated for privacy.)

“Turned up out of hours and made it safe properly”

We had a smashed window at the front of the house and couldn’t leave it overnight. They talked me through what they’d do, arrived when they said they would, and the boarding felt solid — not something you could just pull off. Sent photos afterwards which helped when we contacted our insurer.

— Homeowner, E postcode area

“Clear invoice and photos for insurance”

After a break-in we needed to secure a back door that had been forced. The frame was damaged and they explained what could be fixed without causing extra damage, and what couldn’t. We received an itemised invoice and time-stamped photos which made the insurance claim much easier.

— Landlord, East London

“Shopfront boarded up quickly so we could close up”

Our shopfront glass was damaged and we needed the opening secured the same day. They fitted boards neatly and it looked as tidy as boarding can look. We felt comfortable locking up and leaving the premises.

— Retail manager, E1 area

“Professional, calm, and didn’t upsell”

We were stressed after vandalism and just wanted the place secured. They were straightforward about options: temporary boarding now, then a more permanent solution if needed later. No pressure, just practical advice.

— Tenant, E2 area

“Good for vacant property security”

We manage an empty property between tenancies and needed stronger security than a basic board-up. They explained the difference between boarding and steel screens and helped us choose something appropriate for the risk level and timeframe.

— Property manager, East London (E)

“Tidy work and no mess left behind”

The team worked carefully, cleaned up, and didn’t leave screws/nails around. They also showed us the fixings and explained why they used anti-tamper fixings, which gave peace of mind.

— Resident, E3 area

What we do on a typical job (and why it matters)

A proper board-up is about security and safety, not appearance — but it should still be fitted neatly and fixed correctly so it can’t be removed easily from outside.

Depending on the opening and the risk level, we typically use:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable temporary boarding (common for doors and larger windows)
  • 12mm OSB for smaller openings where appropriate (we’ll advise what’s suitable)
  • Anti-tamper fixings to deter removal — especially important if the property will be unattended
  • Non-destructive fixing methods where the frame allows (and we’ll be honest if the frame is too damaged)

For commercial sites and voids where you need something more robust than timber, we can discuss options like temporary steel doors and security screens, depending on access and how long the building needs to remain secure.

Want to read more about the specific method you need?

What you receive (useful for insurers and property managers)

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t promise what an insurer will cover — but we can provide the paperwork insurers typically ask for after emergency work.

On request (and often as standard), you can receive:

  • Time-stamped photos of damage and completed boarding
  • A clear statement of work (what was secured and how)
  • Itemised invoice/receipt suitable for claims and audit trails
  • Notes on access and any limitations (e.g., unsafe frames, restricted entry, or temporary fixes)

If you’re dealing with a claim, our guidance page may help: insurance claims support

Reviews and emergency call-outs: what to do before we arrive

If you’re currently dealing with a smashed window, forced entry, or a shopfront that needs to be secured tonight, these steps tend to reduce stress and speed things up:

  1. If a crime is in progress or the offender may return, call 999. If it’s already happened, report it via 101 and keep the reference number.
  2. Take photos if it’s safe to do so (inside and outside, including the wider area).
  3. Don’t handle broken glass with bare hands and keep people away from the opening.
  4. Call us with the basics: what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/roof), approximate size, floor level, and whether the property will be left unattended.
  5. Contact your insurer early and ask what evidence they need for temporary boarding.

For urgent help, use our emergency page: 24/7 boarding up in East London

Where these reviews come from (and what we don’t do)

We aim to be transparent about feedback and expectations.

  • Reviews reflect genuine customer experiences, but every property and incident is different.
  • We don’t guarantee fixed arrival times — traffic, access issues, and workload vary — but we prioritise urgent calls and give a realistic ETA on the phone.
  • After fire or flood, we focus on securing the building. Full remediation (smoke odour treatment, drying, specialist cleaning) is normally handled by other contractors.

If you’d like to ask anything before booking, our FAQs are here: boarding up FAQs

A note for commercial and facilities customers

If you’re responsible for a site in East London (shops, offices, warehouses, schools, or managed blocks), you’ll usually need a contractor who can:

  • Work out of hours without drama
  • Provide photos, RAMS where required, and a clear audit trail
  • Offer short-term and medium-term securing options depending on the risk level

We regularly support:

Want to leave feedback?

If we’ve carried out boarding up for you in the E postcode area and you’d like to share your experience, please contact us and we’ll tell you the easiest way to leave a review.

You can also use our contact page for non-urgent enquiries: contact Boarding Up East London

Ready to get started?

Need help now? Call 020 4634 6384 for immediate assistance.
For non-urgent enquiries, email [email protected].