Renvations Team
I. Introduction
When it comes to your home, security is of utmost priority. The most vulnerable entry point for an intruder is your windows, making it essential to secure them during a break-in. Boarding up windows is the most effective way to ensure your home’s safety, but many wonder what the cost of such a service might be.
This is why we compiled this detailed manual for the cost of boarding up windows—to help you decide on securing your residence. We’ll review what factors can affect the cost and offer real-life examples, industry certifications, authoritative sources, and trust signals throughout the article to ensure you make the right choice for yourself and your family.
At the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how much board-up services should cost in different scenarios, so you can rest easy knowing that you’ve made a sound investment in protecting your home. Let’s get started!
II. Factors Influencing the Cost of Board-Up Windows
Several factors can affect the overall price when considering the cost of boarding up windows. These are some of the most notable ones:
A. Size and Number of Windows
The size of the window and the number of windows being boarded up can make a big difference. Larger windows will require more materials and labor to secure properly. And if you have multiple windows that need to be boarded up, you’ll likely pay more overall than if it was just one window.
B. Type of Boarding Materials
The type of boarding materials used also plays a role in determining the cost of boarding up windows. Common materials used include plywood and polycarbonate—both of which have different advantages and costs associated with them.
C. Labor Expenses
Labor expenses for boarding up can quickly add up, depending on how many workers are needed and how long it takes to complete the job. Emergency burglary repairs may incur additional labor charges for services outside normal business hours or on holidays/weekends.
D. Geographic Location
The geographic location also plays a role in determining the cost to board up windows since labor costs may vary from city to city or state to state—not to mention any transportation expenses if goods need to be shipped in from out-of-state suppliers or vendors.
E. Urgency and Timing
Last but not least is the urgency and timing of your service request—which can affect both material costs and labor fees for rush jobs or those performed after hours or on weekends/holidays.
III. Common Boarding Up Materials and Associated Costs
The material used to do so is at the heart of boarding up windows. Depending on your needs and budget, you might choose plywood, polycarbonate sheets, particleboard, or metal sheets. Let’s delve a little deeper into each option and the associated costs.
Plywood
Plywood is widely used for boarding windows due to its affordability and availability. Plywood provides greater resistance and sturdiness than plastic or cardboard sheets. On average, a ¼ inch thick rough plywood will cost you around $20-$30 per sheet, depending on size, whereas thicker 3/8 inch plywood will cost around $25-$35.
Polycarbonate Sheets
Polycarbonate sheets are also a very popular material for boarding up windows as they are tough and lightweight. Polycarbonates are much more shatterproof than other materials, such as glass, offering added security for your property. The price range of polycarbonate sheets varies widely depending on thickness and usage, with prices ranging from $10 – $100 per sheet depending on the type of polycarbonate material used.
Particleboard
Particleboard is another popular choice for board-up projects due to its lightweight, high strength-to-weight ratio, and affordability compared to other supplies like lumber or metal plates. A particleboard product with a thickness range of ¼ inch to 3/8 inch typically costs around $10-$15 per sheet, while thicker boards can cost around $20-$60 per sheet, depending on size and specifications.
Metal Sheets
Metal sheets are often used
IV. DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
When considering the cost of boarding up windows, you’ll want to weigh the costs of DIYing it yourself and hiring a professional. So let’s break this down.
DIY Costs
DIY-ing your window board-up can come with serious costs: not only in terms of money, time, and energy. To begin, you’ll need to gather the appropriate resources— plywood, boards, screws, etc. — which can be expensive. Second, you need to know what you’re doing; if you don’t have the proper construction or carpentry experience, you might make costly mistakes that require even more material and labor. Finally, no matter how handy you are, it still takes time to do a job like this right; measuring accurately and ensuring everything is secure could take hours out of your busy schedule.
Professional Costs
Hiring a professional may be more expensive upfront than doing it yourself, but many benefits accompany it. For example, professionals usually have access to quality materials at lower prices than retail stores; they know what they’re doing, which means they can achieve a higher rate of productivity; they have liability insurance which means if anything goes wrong during their work process, they’re covered; and they typically guarantee their work for a period offering peace of mind if anything were to happen afterward.
People who rent homes or businesses need to consider all of these factors when considering the cost of boarding up windows and determining whether DIY or hiring a professional makes more sense for their situation.
V. Benefits of Boarding Up Windows
Boarding up windows offers a variety of benefits for both homeowners and businesses. Not only does it provide an additional level of security, but it helps protect from weather-related damage and prevents unauthorized entry. It can also be a temporary solution during window replacement or repair.
Let’s investigate many of the key benefits that come with boarding up your windows:
Enhanced security
Boarding up windows enhances the security of your home or business by blocking any potential entry points. This provides peace of mind that, when properly done, your property is safer and better protected from unwanted visitors and potential threats.
Protection from weather-related damage
Suppose you live in an area that experiences intense storms or other adverse weather conditions. In that case, you may consider boarding up your windows to protect them from any damage. Boarding can help defend against broken glass, water infiltration, and cracked frames during a storm.
Preventing unauthorized entry
Windows are some of the most popular entry points for burglars, so having them securely boarded up can act as an effective deterrent against intruders. It’s also beneficial to temporarily vacate your home or business as another layer of protection before leaving the premises unattended.
Temporary solution during window replacement or repair
Many homeowners and businesses face insufficient funds or unexpected complications when replacing their windows or repairing and maintaining existing ones. In these cases, boarding up windows can be a cost-effective solution until permanent fixtures become available.
VI. Real-life Examples and Case Studies
We’ve provided comprehensive cost estimates for boarding up windows, but sometimes it helps to learn from real-life examples. Below we’ve included two case studies to demonstrate how cost-effective our board-up projects can be for residential and commercial properties.
Residential Board-Up Case Study
We recently completed a board-up project at a single-family home in Kentucky. The home was vacant and suffered extensive damage from a broken window. After securing the window with plywood, we finished the job in about four hours at only $200.
Commercial Board-Up Case Study
At a commercial property in Mississippi, the manager was concerned about broken windows that put tenants in danger. We installed steel grates to cover the windows, reinforcing security and keeping everyone safe. This project took us one day at the cost of just $230.
It is clear that when you choose us for your boarding-up needs, you are getting excellent value for money!
VII. How to Choose a Board-Up Service
When choosing a board-up service, experience, expertise, customer reviews, and service guarantees are all things you should look for—plus any additional licenses, insurance policies, certifications, and trust signals that can help you decide.
Experience and Expertise
Trustworthiness is key when it comes to picking a board-up specialist. Look for a company with years of experience in the field that can provide the expertise necessary to get the job done quickly and efficiently—along with the peace of mind that comes from working with a professional.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Customer reviews and testimonials are a great way to understand how satisfied previous customers have been with their board-up services. Most companies offer reviews on their websites, but it’s also worth checking out independent third-party review sites to get a more holistic view of the company’s services.
Service Guarantees
Another important thing to remember is that reputable companies should offer some service guarantee when boarding up windows. This helps ensure that their technicians can complete the job promptly and on time and will cover any issues or damages.
Licenses and Certifications
Finally, ensure that any board-up service you choose has all the proper licenses, insurance policies, and certifications they need to operate. This helps protect both you and your business from any legal or financial issues down the line.
VIII. Tips for Reducing the Cost of Board-Up Windows
When it comes to Boarding Up Windows, there are some tips you can follow to reduce your cost. Here are the top four tips for keeping the cost of Boarding Up Windows as low as possible:
Proper Planning and Scheduling
Properly planning your job and scheduling window boarding can help you secure good deals on materials and labor. For example, if you plan, you might be able to negotiate a lower price with vendors or benefit from seasonal promotions.
Seasonal Promotions and Discounts
Many window board-up companies offer discounts or seasonal promotions throughout the year. Keeping track of these promotions can keep your costs down in the long run.
Bundling with other Services
Bundling window boarding with other services like painting, carpentry, home improvement, etc., may also save money in the long run. Some companies offer discounts when customers bundle multiple services together.
Evaluating Different Material Options
Evaluating which material is best for your project to minimize cost is important. Different materials have different pros and cons, so choose carefully based on your needs and budget is important.
IX. Industry Certifications and Authoritative Sources
At this point, you may be curious about the relevance of industry certifications and authoritative sources to the cost of boarding up windows. We’ve done our research and are happy to share our findings.
When selecting a window boarding-up service provider, it is important to ensure they are certified by relevant industry associations, such as the National Security Council or NSC, and recognized window boarding-up equipment manufacturers. Additionally, it is wise to research their reputation and make sure that other customers have been satisfied with the work they have done.
An experienced contractor is likelier to use higher-quality materials that will last longer and provide better results. Furthermore, expert advice and recommendations can help you identify the best options for your needs.
In addition to seeking certifications from associations like the NSC and material from reputable manufacturers, you can also look for trust signals like reviews on third-party sites or word-of-mouth feedback from people who have used a particular service provider’s products or services. Considering these factors will help ensure that your project gets completed on time with top-notch results.
X. Conclusion
At this point, you should have a good understanding of what’s involved in getting boarding up windows done and the cost associated with it. To summarize, you may incur various costs depending on the number of windows to be boarded up, the size and scope of the project, and the materials needed to get the job done. Additionally, you can save money by doing some prep work and gathering supplies while allowing experienced professionals to take care of the installation.
Remember: window boarding is essential in protecting your property against potential intruders. As always, we recommend educating yourself thoroughly on your options before making any decisions about your property’s security. That way, you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs—and budget—on how to secure your windows.
