How Much Do Board-Up Services Cost in Chicago?

Why Board-Up Costs Matter When Disaster Strikes

When a storm shatters your windows, a fire guts your entryway, or a break-in leaves your property exposed, securing it fast becomes your first move. But how much do board-up services cost in Chicago? For homeowners, business owners, and real estate pros, knowing the price tag—and what drives it—can mean the difference between a smart fix and a budget-busting mistake.

Restore Construction has been boarding up properties across Chicago for over 40 years, and in this guide, we’ll break down typical costs, key factors that affect pricing, and why our professional approach saves you money and stress in the long run. From busted glass to storm wreckage, we’ve got the answers you need to protect your investment without overpaying.

What You’ll Pay: Typical Board-Up Costs in Chicago

Board-up services aren’t a one-size-fits-all fix—costs shift depending on the property, damage, and other variables. Based on Restore Construction’s 40+ years securing over 10,000 properties, here’s a snapshot of what Chicagoans might encounter in the market. Keep in mind, these figures are broad estimates—actual prices depend on factors like size, timing, and complexity, which we’ll explore later.

These aren’t our set rates, but a starting point to understand what’s typical:

Residential Board-Up

$300 – $800 per incident. A single-family home with a broken window or door often lands on the lower end, while bigger homes or multiple breaches climb higher.

Commercial Board-Up

$500 – $1,500 per incident. Businesses with large storefronts or widespread damage—like a shop hit by a storm—need more materials and effort, pushing costs up.

Window-Specific Board-Up

$150 – $500 per window. A small broken pane might run $150, but oversized or custom windows (think Chicago’s historic districts) can reach $500 with labor.

24-Hour Emergency Board-Up

$400 – $1,200. Late-night or urgent calls often carry a premium, reflecting the need for immediate action.

These ranges capture Chicago’s landscape, where labor, materials, and urban challenges shape pricing. A modest South Side rental might see $350 after a break-in, while a Loop storefront with shattered glass could hit $1,200. At Restore Construction, we tailor every quote to your situation—transparency drives what we do.

What Drives the Price? Key Factors Behind Board-Up Costs

Board-up costs don’t come out of nowhere—several variables determine what you’ll face in Chicago. Knowing these can help you budget and recognize value when picking a provider like Restore Construction. These aren’t our fixed prices—every job gets a custom quote—but they reflect what we’ve learned from securing thousands of properties over 40+ years:

Property Size and Scope

A small condo with one busted window costs less than a sprawling warehouse with multiple entry points. More square footage means more plywood, nails, and crew hours—simple math that can swing costs widely.

Damage Complexity

A clean break, like a single cracked window, is straightforward. But jagged frames from a fire or roof gaps from a storm up the ante—sometimes hitting $1,000+ just to stabilize safely, based on market examples we’ve handled.

Timing of the Call

Daytime jobs typically run lower than overnight emergencies. Chicago’s 24/7 providers might add $50-$200 for off-hours, a small price when a delay could mean thousands in extra damage—like rain flooding an unsecured storefront.

Material Choices

Basic plywood might cost $20-$30 a sheet in the market, while heavy-duty or weather-resistant options can hit $50-$70. For Chicago’s brutal winters or windy springs, the upgrade’s worth it—we’ve seen it save properties from Lake Michigan gusts.

Insurance Coverage

Many policies cover board-up expenses after fires, storms, or vandalism, potentially dropping your out-of-pocket to zero. A typical $600 job could be fully reimbursed with the right claim—we streamline that process for you.

Picture a Chicago homeowner facing a storm-smashed window: boarding it up might run a few hundred bucks in the market, but if insurance kicks in, that cost could vanish. Skip it for a shaky DIY fix, though, and you’re risking thousands in water damage.

Those variables aren’t just numbers—they’re your shield against a bigger hit.

DIY vs. Professional Board-Up: A Cost-Benefit Breakdown

Tempted to grab some plywood and DIY it? In Chicago, DIY board-ups might seem cheap—$50 in materials vs. hundreds for pros—but the risks can dwarf the savings. Here’s why professional services, like what Restore Construction offers, often beat the gamble:

Safety First

Broken glass or fire-weakened walls are no joke. Handling them without training risks injury—cuts, falls, or worse. Our crews use proper gear and expertise to keep you safe, not sorry.

Real Protection

DIY boards that sag or gap won’t hold up to Chicago’s storms or intruders. We’ve seen flimsy fixes fail, soaking interiors or letting thieves in. Our durable installs stand firm, no exceptions.

Insurance Pitfalls

Insurers often demand pro board-ups for claims. A shaky DIY attempt that collapses could jeopardize a hefty payout—think thousands in damages left uncovered. We’ve seen it happen; our documentation ensures your claim holds up.

Time and Stress

Post-disaster, you’re already stretched thin. Scrambling for tools in a crisis piles on misery—our 60-minute response takes that burden off your shoulders.

DIY might suit a minor crack on a quiet day, but for fires, storms, or break-ins, pros turn a risky $50 into a secure investment. Restore Construction makes recovery smooth, not stressful.

Why Restore Construction Stands Out for Chicago Board-Ups

With over 40 years securing Chicago properties, Restore Construction isn’t just a contractor—we’re your lifeline when trouble hits. Here’s what sets us apart, beyond the market norms:

24/7 Rapid Response: Day or night, holidays too, we’re on the scene in 60 minutes. Whether it’s a midnight break-in or a holiday storm, our crews move fast to lock down your property.
No Guesswork Pricing: We quote upfront—expect ranges like $400 for a simple job or $1,200 for something bigger—no surprises. You’ll know your cost before we start, unlike the market’s hit-or-miss estimates.
Insurance Made Easy: Claims can be a tangle—we’ve smoothed out thousands. Our detailed documentation turns bills into covered expenses, saving you time and headaches.
Full-Service Expertise: Beyond boards, we tackle emergency window board-up, 24-hour board-up, and emergency restoration. One call handles it all.

Our 10,000+ jobs prove we deliver—whether it’s a Gold Coast condo or a South Loop warehouse, you get commitment, not corner-cutting. That’s real value that beats market averages every time.

Hidden Costs of Delay: Why Board-Up Timing Matters

Boarding up isn’t just about the initial cost—it’s about dodging the fallout of waiting. Chicago’s weather turns brutal fast; a broken window in a snowstorm can flood your basement, turning a modest board-up into a water damage nightmare costing thousands. Intruders strike quick too—unsecured properties often lose valuable gear to thieves before protection’s in place.

Mold’s another kicker—the CDC warns it can sprout in 24-48 hours after water hits, piling on hefty cleanup bills if you skip boards. Fire-damaged homes crumble under wind without swift action—we’ve seen delays send rebuild costs soaring into tens of thousands when owners hesitate.

Our 60-minute response cuts those risks down fast. Hesitate, and what starts as a few hundred bucks in the market can balloon into a budget-breaking loss—that upfront investment, typically $400-$1,200 in Chicago, is cheap compared to regret.

Invest in Protection, Not Regret

Board-up services in Chicago range from $150 for a window to $1,500 for a commercial crisis, shaped by size, damage, and timing. Restore Construction keeps it straightforward: rapid response, clear pricing, and work that shields your property and wallet. With 40+ years and 10,000+ secures, we know Chicago’s challenges—don’t let a breach drain your budget.