What to Do After a Break-In
Step-by-step guide for the aftermath.
When a door or window is damaged and can't be secured, you can't wait for morning. We make emergency boarding a priority—keeping your property protected until proper repairs can be made.
Unsecured property can't wait. We make it our priority to get your home or business secure.
Forced entry leaves your property exposed to anyone passing by. We make securing openings our priority, document the damage for insurance, and give you back your sense of safety.
Vandalism, accident, or attempted entry—a broken window is an open invitation. We board up quickly to keep intruders out and weather out until your glazier can attend.
Damaged frame, split door panel, broken lock—whatever the damage, you can't leave it open. We secure what's still usable or fit temporary measures until a proper replacement arrives.
Your business can't operate or be left with an unsecured opening. We board professionally so you can continue trading while arranging permanent repairs. Full documentation for insurance.
Car through your front window, wall, or door. Amid the chaos of dealing with police and vehicle recovery, we quietly secure the opening so there's one less problem to manage.
High winds, flying debris, falling branches—weather can damage windows and doors unexpectedly. Emergency boarding keeps the elements out until repairs can be scheduled.
After fire services leave, your property still needs securing. Damaged windows and doors need boarding—both for security and to comply with insurance requirements.
Properties sometimes need boarding after police activity—warrants, investigations, welfare checks. We work professionally, document properly, and treat all situations with discretion.
Splintered frame, chipped strike plate, scratched cylinder — they tried, they didn't get in, but the door isn't safe to leave overnight. We board the weak point, document the damage for your insurer, and book the proper repair for daylight.
Emergency boarding needs speed and reliability. That's what we provide.
| What You Need | Trulox | General Handyman | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Calls Prioritised | ? | ||
| Same-Day Response | |||
| Proper Materials & Tools | ? | ||
| Insurance Documentation | |||
| Weatherproof Installation | ? | ||
| Follow-Up Repairs Available | ? | ||
| Professional Appearance | ? |
Prompt, professional, documented. We get your property secured.
Tell us what's happened and what needs boarding. We'll give you an estimated arrival time and confirm pricing before we leave. The price we agree is the price you pay.
~2 minutesWe make emergency boarding a priority. Our van carries boarding materials for most situations—we come ready to work, not to assess and return later.
ETA confirmed by phoneQuick assessment of the damage. We photograph for your insurance claim, check for any additional vulnerabilities, and confirm the boarding approach with you.
~5 minutesProper boarding with quality materials. Cut to fit, securely fixed, sealed against weather. We work quickly but properly—your property will be secure when we leave.
20-60 minutesFull invoice and photos for insurance. Advice on next steps—whether that's door replacement we can do, or glazing we can recommend. We're here for the follow-up too.
Property securedAny opening that needs boarding—we come prepared to handle it.
Damaged doors need securing. Whether the door itself is broken, the frame is damaged, or both—we board the opening properly until replacement can be arranged.
From small casement windows to large picture windows. We cut boarding to fit, secure it properly, and seal around the edges to keep weather out.
When the frame itself is damaged or missing, we board from the brickwork. The opening gets secured regardless of how much original structure remains.
Commercial glazing needs professional boarding. We work around your business needs—securing the opening while allowing access if possible, or complete boarding if required.
Large sliding or bi-fold patio doors need substantial boarding. We carry larger sheets specifically for these situations—your garden access isn't left open.
Side panels, fanlights, glazed door panels—any glass that's broken can be boarded. We address all vulnerabilities, not just the obvious main opening.
Professional boarding with proper follow-through.
Boarding is an emergency—we treat it as such. We make emergency boarding a priority and confirm an ETA before we set off.
Proper exterior-grade plywood with appropriate fixings. Strong enough to resist entry attempts, weatherproof enough to protect.
Cut to fit, properly secured, edges sealed. We work neatly even in emergencies—you don't want rough boarding on your property.
Photographs of damage, detailed invoice, evidence of work completed. Everything your insurer needs to process your claim.
When permanent repairs are ready, we return to remove the boarding. Coordinated with your glazier or door company if needed.
We fit replacement doors and locks. For glazing, we recommend trusted local contacts. The whole process can be smooth.
Real emergencies, professional response.
We had a break-in last month and I was a complete mess afterwards. Trulox came out same day to board up and change all the locks. What I appreciated most was they didn't rush me - took time to explain what they were fitting and why. Made me feel safe in my own home again which sounds dramatic but it's true. Would definitely recommend to anyone in a similar situation, they really do care.
Danny was very helpful and explained everything that he suggested needed doing to effect my door lock repair. Where there were choices for me to make, he explained in detail the benefits of each lock. He told me the cost of each solution and left it for me to decide. I am really happy with the finished work. Thank you.
I had George from Trulox, come and fix the lock on my door. He came out the same day and was friendly, professional and conscientious. I was very happy with the job he did and would highly recommend.
What you need to know in an emergency.
We make emergency boarding a priority and confirm an ETA before we set off. Response times vary based on location and time of day, but boarding up takes priority in our schedule—you can't wait with an unsecured property.
We use exterior-grade plywood, properly secured with appropriate fixings. The boarding is sturdy enough to resist attempted entry and weatherproof enough to protect the opening until repairs are completed.
Yes. We seal around the boarding to prevent water ingress and drafts. The property will be protected from rain and weather until glazing or door replacement can be arranged.
Absolutely. We provide detailed invoices showing the work completed, photographs of the damage before boarding, and any other documentation your insurer requires. Most claims need evidence of making the property secure.
Yes. We can return to remove boards when your glazier or door company is ready to complete permanent repairs. This is usually a separate visit and charge, but we can coordinate to make it seamless.
Yes. We board up shops, offices, industrial units, and residential properties. Commercial boarding often needs to allow business to continue—we work with you to find practical solutions.
Break-ins and emergencies don't keep office hours. We are open late daily, until midnight. Call us during opening hours and we'll confirm the quickest available response.
We work with what's there. If the frame is intact enough to secure boarding, we do that. If it's too damaged, we can board the entire opening from the brickwork. The goal is security until proper repairs.
We can fit replacement doors and locks ourselves. For glazing, we can recommend trusted local glaziers who we work with regularly. We'll help coordinate so the process is smooth.
Costs depend on the size and number of openings, materials needed, and time of call. We provide a clear price before starting. Emergency work costs more than scheduled work, but we're fair about it.
When you're dealing with a crisis, we deliver professional help without adding stress.
Unsecured property can't wait—we understand the urgency and prioritise emergency calls accordingly.
Proper materials, proper fixing, proper sealing. Your property will be secure against entry and protected from weather when we're done.
Photos, invoices, work records—everything your insurance needs. We document properly because we know you'll need evidence for your claim.
Board removal, door replacement, glazier coordination. We don't just secure and leave—we're here for the repair process too if you need us.
Helpful information for dealing with break-ins and property damage.
Tell us what happened — we'll confirm the next step.