Reviews of Boarding Up Brighton (BN1–BN88)

When you need boarding up, it’s usually because something has gone wrong — a break-in, storm damage, a smashed shopfront, or a property left exposed while you’re waiting for glazing or repairs. You want a straightforward service, clear communication, and proof the building has been secured properly.

This page explains how we handle feedback at Boarding Up Brighton, what kind of service people typically comment on, and how you can share your experience. For urgent help, go straight to our emergency boarding up page.

Need to speak to someone now? Call 01273 092 166 or email [email protected].

What people usually care about (and what we focus on)

We don’t believe reviews should be about hype — they should reflect whether the basics were done properly, at the right time, with the right materials, and with minimal fuss.

When customers talk about our work, it’s typically in these areas:

  • How calm and clear the process felt during a stressful situation (burglary, vandalism, accident damage)
  • How the property was actually secured (not just “covered”), including fixings and overall robustness
  • Whether we respected the building — especially period homes in central Brighton and Hove where frames and masonry can be fragile
  • Documentation: time-stamped photos, a simple work summary, and an itemised invoice suitable for insurers/landlords/agents
  • Practical communication: what we can do immediately vs what needs follow-on repairs from a glazier, roofer, or builder

If you’re comparing options, our FAQs and what boarding up involves pages give you a clear overview of methods and typical scenarios.

Where our reviews come from

We may receive feedback in a few different ways, depending on the job:

  • Directly by email or phone after the work is complete
  • Via property managers and letting agents who arrange repeat call-outs
  • From facilities teams for commercial sites that need consistent, documented securing

Because boarding up is often arranged at speed (sometimes by a third party), we keep records that make it easy for the person responsible for the property to confirm what was done.

If you need paperwork for a claim, see our guidance on insurance claims.

What you should expect from us (the standards behind the feedback)

Reviews only mean something when the underlying process is consistent. Here’s how we work on real call-outs across Brighton and the wider BN postcode area.

Step 1: We ask the right questions before we arrive

To avoid turning up without the right fixings or board sizes, we’ll usually ask:

  • What’s been damaged: window, door, shopfront, rooflight/skylight?
  • Is the building occupied or currently vacant?
  • Is there any immediate risk (loose glass, unsafe access, ongoing police presence)?
  • Do you have photos you can safely share?

If you’re unsure what service you need, start with the relevant service page:

Step 2: We secure the opening using suitable materials and fixings

The right approach depends on the size of the opening, the condition of the frame, and whether the property will be left unattended.

In practice, this often means:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for stronger, longer-lasting protection on larger openings
  • OSB (commonly 12mm) for smaller or short-term boarding where appropriate
  • Anti-tamper fixings where there’s a risk of boards being removed from outside
  • Non-destructive methods where possible (especially for sound frames and masonry)

If the frame or surrounding structure is too damaged to fix into safely, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. Sometimes the safest choice is a different method, such as a temporary steel door for a forced entry, or security screening for longer-term void protection (see our property types pages for context).

Step 3: You receive clear evidence the property is secure

For most jobs, we can provide:

  • Time-stamped photos of the secured openings
  • A brief work statement (what was boarded, how it was fixed)
  • An itemised invoice suitable for insurers, landlords, and agents

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we understand what insurers typically ask for. If you’re dealing with a claim after a break-in or damage, our insurance claims page can help you prepare.

Reviews for different types of call-outs

People experience boarding up differently depending on what happened. Here are the most common situations we’re called to, and the kind of outcomes customers tend to mention in feedback.

After a burglary or attempted break-in

A forced door or smashed pane is more than damage — it’s a security risk and a personal shock, especially in residential streets where you expect to feel safe.

We focus on:

  • Securing the entry point properly (often stronger fixings and thicker board)
  • Explaining what’s safe to use and what isn’t (for example, a damaged lock or warped frame)
  • Producing documentation for landlords/agents/insurers

If that’s your situation, see burglary repairs and boarding up.

After vandalism or antisocial damage

This often involves repeated targeting (especially on ground-floor windows, rear alleys, or quiet commercial frontages).

We focus on:

  • Reducing the chance of repeat damage (anti-tamper fixings, robust boarding)
  • Making the building safe quickly
  • Clear before/after photos so you can coordinate repairs

More guidance here: vandalism repair and boarding.

After storm damage along the coast

Brighton and the surrounding coastline can take a battering in high winds — especially exposed spots near the seafront and open elevations. Loose panes, lifted roof materials, and damaged rooflights often need urgent weatherproofing until a permanent repair is arranged.

We focus on:

  • Securing openings to keep wind and rain out
  • Safe access planning (particularly for roof-level work)
  • Temporary solutions that don’t create new hazards

See storm damage boarding for practical next steps.

After fire or flood (securing only)

Following a fire, you may have broken glazing, compromised doors, or exposed areas after emergency services entry. After flooding, frames can swell and become unreliable.

We can help with securing the property, but we don’t provide smoke/odour remediation or full drying and restoration.

Commercial vs residential feedback: what’s different?

Residential properties

In Brighton and Hove, we’re often working on:

  • Victorian and Edwardian terraces with timber sash windows
  • Converted flats in older buildings where access and communal areas matter
  • 1930s semis in suburban areas with wider openings and bay windows

Homeowners and tenants typically value: discretion, cleanliness, clear explanation, and making the property feel secure again. For more, see residential boarding up.

Commercial properties

For shops, offices, pubs, and restaurants, the priorities change:

  • Minimising risk of repeat entry
  • Securing large shopfront glazing or side/rear access doors
  • Providing documentation for facilities teams and insurers

We regularly support commercial boarding up where a clear audit trail matters.

Vacant and void properties

If a property is empty between tenancies or awaiting sale/works, the focus is longer-term risk management rather than a single incident. In those cases, we may recommend stronger measures (depending on the site), and schedule follow-up adjustments if repairs are delayed.

See vacant property boarding and security.

How to leave a review (and what’s most helpful)

If you’d like to leave feedback, the most useful reviews include:

  • The area (e.g., Brighton, Hove, Portslade, Shoreham-by-Sea, Peacehaven, Lewes — anywhere in BN1–BN88)
  • What happened (burglary, storm damage, accidental breakage, etc.)
  • What we secured (window/door/shopfront/rooflight)
  • Whether the paperwork/photos helped with an insurer, landlord, or letting agent

To send feedback or ask where best to post it, contact us here: contact Boarding Up Brighton.

A note on honesty and limitations

We aim to be helpful and transparent:

  • We can’t guarantee exact arrival times — call volumes, access issues, and weather affect scheduling — but we prioritise urgent security risks.
  • We secure properties; we don’t replace glazing or undertake full building repairs (though we can work alongside your chosen contractors).
  • If we find something that changes the scope (e.g., the frame won’t take fixings safely), we’ll explain your options before proceeding.

If you’re looking for an overview of what we do and don’t do, start at boarding up services in Brighton or what is boarding up?.

Reviews matter most when you need help fast

If you’re reading this because you’re deciding who to call — keep it simple. The goal is to secure the property quickly, safely, and in a way that stands up until repairs are completed.

If you need urgent assistance tonight or out of hours, go to our 24 hour emergency boarding up in Brighton page.

Need help now? Call 01273 092 166 for immediate assistance.