The headline numbers
Boarding up a standard residential window costs $75–$300 per opening, with a national average around $250. Independent cost indexes agree closely: Homewyse’s January 2026 calculation puts the basic per-opening cost at $237–$286, and Angi’s 2026 dataset spans $50 (small first-floor window) to $500 (oversized openings). Same-day emergency response typically adds a $50–$100 fee per visit, not per window.
| Service / Item | Low | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard window, per opening | $75 | $300 | Average ≈ $250 |
| Homewyse basic per-opening index (Jan 2026) | $237 | $286 | Northeast reference market |
| Small first-floor window | $50 | $120 | Best case |
| Oversized window / slider / storefront | $250 | $500+ | Sheet size + handling |
| Exterior door (sheet or temp door system) | $150 | $400 | Lockable systems at top |
| Emergency same-day fee | $50 | $100 | Per visit |
| Whole-home fire securing | $500 | $3,000+ | Opening count driven |
| Material only: 4×8 plywood sheet | $15 | $25 | Labor is 80–90% of cost |
Three real-shaped job examples
Ranges are abstract; here’s how they combine on actual jobs:
- Break-in, one rear door pane + re-secure door: one opening at $150, anti-entry bracing $50, night response fee $75 — ≈ $275 total.
- Hailstorm, five windows on the west face: first opening $200, four more at $100–$125 each on the same visit, no night fee (daytime) — ≈ $600–$700 total.
- Kitchen fire, forced front door + 6 windows + roof vent cut: door system $350, six openings ≈ $750, roof deck patch + tarp section $400–$600 — ≈ $1,500–$1,700 total, billed to the fire claim.
The six factors that move your quote
- Opening count — unit price drops sharply after the first, since the trip and setup are paid once.
- Size and type — sliders, picture windows, and storefront glass need bigger sheets, two sets of hands, and sometimes bracing.
- Height and access — second-story work adds ladder time; expect +$25–$75 per elevated opening.
- Security spec — weather covering (screwed) is cheaper than anti-entry (through-bolted with interior bracing); vacancy spec costs the most.
- Timing — after-hours fees are modest; post-disaster demand pricing is not. Right after a regional storm, published ranges become floors.
- Region — labor rates vary; expect coastal metros above the national figures and rural markets below, with the same job shape.
DIY math, honestly
If you’re able-bodied, own a saw and drill, and the opening is a reachable first-floor window: a sheet of plywood ($15–$25), a box of exterior screws ($10), and an hour of work replaces a $150–$250 service call. Our step-by-step guide covers doing it safely. The DIY case collapses when openings are elevated, numerous, or the job is insurance-bound — adjusters respond better to documented professional securing, and your time after a loss is worth more triaging everything else.
Who pays: you, insurance, or the city
After a covered loss (fire, storm, vandalism/theft), board-up is reimbursable mitigation on your claim — keep itemized invoices and photos. With no claim (you broke it yourself, or damage is below deductible), it’s out of pocket. And if a damaged building sits unsecured long enough, many cities will board it for you and bill you with penalties or liens — the most expensive board-up available. Details by damage type: fire, windows/break-ins, and general emergency board-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does boarding one window cost $250 when plywood costs $20?
Because you’re paying for a crew, a truck, insurance, and a same-day response — not a sheet of wood. Industry data attributes 80–90% of board-up cost to labor. The economics improve fast with volume: the second through eighth openings on the same visit are often half the unit price of the first.
Do board-up companies charge more at night?
Most charge a flat emergency/after-hours response fee — commonly $50–$100 per visit — rather than higher per-window rates. After major storms, expect demand pricing at the top of published ranges plus possible waits regardless of hour.
What’s the cheapest legitimate way to handle multiple broken windows?
Ask for whole-job pricing rather than per-opening pricing, board only the compromised openings (film cracked-but-intact panes instead), and if the damage is claim-worthy, let insurance carry it — board-up after a covered loss is reimbursable mitigation. What we don’t recommend is skipping the securing: theft, weather, and liability all cost more than plywood.
Is vacant-property board-up priced the same as emergency board-up?
No — vacancy work is quoted to a higher security spec: thicker material or steel screens, carriage bolts through interior bracing, door systems, sometimes polycarbonate glazing on street-facing openings to satisfy city appearance rules. Expect the high end of per-opening ranges or flat per-building quotes, plus possible monthly inspection add-ons.