The opening that cannot wait
A hole in the house is two problems at once: the weather gets in, and so does everything else. In the valley the usual causes are wind-thrown trees in winter storms, fire damage that left the roof or wall open, and the occasional vehicle that met a garage door or a storefront. Whatever opened it, the clock on the next problem starts immediately, and the temporary fix is a real job in itself.
What board-up covers
- Openings. Windows, doors, and wall breaches get covered with ply that is actually fastened, not leaned. A temporary closure that can be lifted off does not count.
- Roof damage. A tarp over roof damage is a measured job, not a draped sheet: it has to shed water off the ridge, survive valley wind, and stay put until the roofer gets there.
- Interior security. A building that cannot be locked gets inventoried and documented before the crew leaves, because the claim conversation includes what was inside when it opened up.
What it does not cover
A board-up is temporary by definition. It buys time for the adjuster and the real repair, and the written scope that follows is where the permanent fix gets priced. The company that calls back will be honest about which side of that line this job is on.
Before the crew arrives
Photograph the opening and the damage around it from outside and inside. If the structure shifted or a wall is visibly out of square, keep people out of that part of the building entirely.
