Board Up Services in Cortland, NY
A broken-out window, a forced door or a hole in the roof is an open invitation to rain, animals and thieves. Call the dispatch line and we will connect you with a licensed, insured independent board-up crew near Cortland to close up every opening fast.
- Window & door board-up
- Roof tarping
- Storefront securing
- Licensed & insured independent pros
Professional Board-Up Services Around Cortland
Board-up is the first line of defense after a fire, a break-in, a vehicle crash into a building or storm damage. An unsecured building can take on rain, get looted or be occupied by squatters within a single night.
Most insurance policies include a duty to mitigate, meaning you are expected to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Damage caused by leaving a building open may be denied. A documented professional board-up shows you met that requirement.
Board-up done properly looks different from a few sheets nailed over a window. Good crews use 5/8 inch or thicker exterior plywood, screws or carriage bolts instead of nails, and 2x4 strongbacks across wide openings. That makes it difficult to remove from outside and gentle on window frames.
We are a free referral service; independent crews do the board-up work. We connect Cortland callers with independent, licensed and insured board-up contractors who respond around the clock.
When you need board-up
- After a fire with broken windows or forced doors
- After a burglary or vandalism
- After a vehicle crashes into a building
- After storm or tree damage
- For vacant or foreclosed properties
Why Choose Our Specialized Board Up Services in Cortland, NY
Board-up is about getting there fast and doing it solidly. Here is what the independent crews we connect you with in Cortland bring.
Licensed & insured crews
Every call goes to an independent, licensed and insured contractor. Ask for documentation of the work for your insurance file.
Upfront, flat-rate pricing
Expect per-opening or per-square-foot pricing, quoted before the crew starts. No surprises on the invoice.
Rapid local dispatch
Crews based near Cortland can often arrive within hours, including late at night and on holidays.
Board-up materials & tools
Exterior-grade plywood, strongbacks, carriage bolts, structural screws, heavy tarps, generators and work lights ride on the truck.
Board-Up Services Available in Cortland
Each type of opening calls for its own method.
Window Board-Up
Plywood is cut to size and either screwed in place or through-bolted with interior strongbacks. That holds against weather and pry bars.
Door & Entry Securing
Forced or burned doors are covered or replaced with temporary plywood doors that lock, so you and your contractors can still get in.
Roof Tarping
Fire ventilation cuts, burn-through and storm damage are covered with reinforced tarps secured with batten strips screwed through the decking. That keeps water out until permanent roofing goes on.
Storefront & Commercial Board-Up
Storefront glass, display windows and commercial doors are secured fast to protect inventory and reduce downtime.
Temporary Fencing
Chain-link panels around badly damaged or unsafe structures keep people out and reduce liability.
Vacant Property Securing
For vacant properties, crews use heavier plywood and tamper-resistant fasteners to deter squatters and vandals.
How a Professional Board-Up Is Built
The quick version is thin plywood nailed over the outside trim. It can blow off in a storm, comes off with a pry bar in seconds and leaves split trim and nail holes behind.
A professional board-up starts with exterior-grade plywood, usually 5/8 inch or 3/4 inch, cut to fit the opening. For ground-level windows and storefronts, crews often through-bolt with carriage bolts and interior strongbacks, leaving nothing to grip from outside. Upper windows are usually secured with structural screws.
Roof openings get reinforced, heavy-duty tarps. The tarp is wrapped over the ridge where possible and held with wood batten strips screwed through to the decking, so wind cannot get underneath.
Doors need access. A good crew builds a temporary plywood door on hinges with a hasp and padlock, so you, your adjuster and your restoration contractor can get in without removing the board-up.
Board-up is usually the first line on your insurance claim, so documentation matters. Ask the crew to photograph every opening before and after it is secured and to provide an itemized invoice showing materials and labor. Keep those records with your claim paperwork. If the board-up stays in place for weeks while repairs are scheduled, check it after storms and call the contractor if anything loosens, because a failed board-up can lead to new damage.
Board-Up Calls We Take Day and Night
After a house fire
Firefighters break windows and force doors to fight the fire. Board-up secures every opening the same night and creates a lockable entry for the restoration crew and your adjuster.
After a burglary
A broken door or window after a break-in leaves the property vulnerable to a second visit. Crews secure the opening with through-bolted plywood until the glass or door can be replaced.
Vehicle into a building
A car through a storefront or home creates a large, irregular opening that may involve damaged framing. Crews secure the opening and, when needed, install temporary bracing until a contractor can assess the structure.
Storm and tree damage
High winds blow out windows and drop trees through roofs. Board-up and roof tarping keep rain out until permanent repairs can be scheduled.
Commercial glass after hours
A broken storefront or office window at night leaves inventory and equipment exposed. Crews secure the opening so the business can protect its contents and open the next day, then the glass company replaces it.
How Board-Up Dispatch Works in Cortland
Call Dispatch
Call +1-866-484-1409 and describe how many openings there are and roughly how big. We connect you with an independent crew near Cortland.
Rapid Mobile Arrival
The crew arrives with plywood, fasteners, tarps and lighting, ready to work at night.
Expert Assessment & Quote
Openings are measured and the job is quoted before work begins.
Resolution & Final Walkthrough
Every opening is secured, photographed and documented, and you get an invoice for your insurance file.
What Cortland Callers Say About Board-Up Service
At midnight, a car drove through our storefront. The crew had the whole front boarded up and bolted by 3 a.m. We opened through the side door the next day.
Tony R.Shop owner, Cortland
Four windows and the back door were broken after the fire. They through-bolted plywood and built a lockable temporary door for the restoration crew.
Lisa N.Homeowner, Cortland
I manage a few rentals and one was broken into while vacant. They secured it the same night with heavy plywood and tamper-resistant screws. No problems since.
Dennis O.Property manager, Cortland
A tree came through our living room window during a storm. By sunrise the window was boarded and the damaged roof was tarped.
Carlos E.Homeowner, Cortland
Board-Up Service Questions
How fast can a board-up crew get to my property in Cortland?
Many independent crews near Cortland can arrive within a few hours, including overnight. The dispatcher will give you an honest estimate based on availability.
Does insurance cover board-up services?
Board-up after a covered loss like a fire or storm is usually covered because it prevents further damage. Save the invoice and photos for your claim.
Why do professionals use screws or bolts instead of nails?
Screws and through-bolts hold better, are harder to pry off from outside and cause less damage to window frames when the plywood is removed.
How long can board-up stay in place?
Well-installed exterior plywood can stay for weeks or months until repairs are done. Roof tarps may need checking after storms.
Is Re Fire Me the board-up company?
No. Re Fire Me is a free referral service. The work is done by independent, licensed and insured contractors who are responsible for it.
Can board-up services secure a property after a break-in, not just a fire?
Yes. Board-up crews secure properties after burglaries, vandalism, vehicle impacts, storms and fires. They can also secure vacant buildings against trespassing.
24/7 Board-Up in Cortland and Nearby
We take board-up calls from Cortland and nearby areas around the clock. Independent crews handle houses, multifamily buildings, storefronts, offices, warehouses and vacant properties. Nearby cities and zip codes we serve are listed below.
Board-up crews around Cortland keep plywood, fasteners and tarps stocked so they can respond quickly to homes, rentals and businesses, including late-night calls after storms and break-ins when most other contractors are closed.
Close Up Your Property Tonight
Until it is boarded, your property is open to weather and intruders. Call +1-866-484-1409 for board-up service in Cortland.
