Temporary Fencing in Hemel Hempstead (HP) – Emergency Site Security & Property Protection
When part of your property is suddenly exposed — a collapsed boundary, storm damage, a vehicle impact, or a break-in that’s left access wide open — temporary fencing is often the quickest way to secure property and reduce risk while permanent repairs are arranged.
Boarding Up Hemel Hempstead provides temporary fencing across Hemel Hempstead and the wider HP postcode area (HP1–HP27) for residential, commercial and vacant properties. We prioritise urgent “make safe” jobs and can advise on the most practical option when you need to control access immediately.
Need help now? Call 01442 502 589 for urgent assistance, or use our contact page if it’s not time-critical.
If your situation involves a smashed window or forced entry, you may also need emergency boarding up alongside fencing.
When temporary fencing is the right call (common emergency situations)
Temporary fencing is ideal when the main issue isn’t just a broken window — it’s that people can access the site or there’s a safety risk. Typical reasons customers call us include:
- Storm damage: panels down, gates torn off, or gardens/open land now accessible (see storm damage securing).
- Vehicle impact: a car clips a wall, railings, or frontage leaving a dangerous opening (see accident/impact damage).
- Fire damage: fire service attendance may leave doors/sections unsecured; fencing helps keep the perimeter safe (see post-fire securing).
- Flood damage: swollen gates/doors won’t close properly; a controlled perimeter helps prevent opportunistic entry (see flood damage securing).
- Burglary or attempted break-in: when the door can’t be secured immediately, fencing buys time and controls access (see burglary repairs & securing).
- Vacant/void properties: between tenants, probate situations, or properties undergoing works (see vacant property security).
- Building works / contractors on site: keeping the public out and creating a clear site boundary for safety and liability.
If your main issue is glazing or door damage, fencing can be combined with window boarding in Hemel Hempstead or door boarding for a complete “make safe” solution.
What temporary fencing actually does (and what it doesn’t)
Temporary fencing is a fast, practical way to reduce risk immediately:
What it does well
- Creates a clear physical barrier to deter opportunistic entry
- Helps control access to unsafe zones (debris, exposed openings, unstable boundaries)
- Reduces public liability risk by marking a boundary
- Buys time while you wait for insurers, builders, glaziers, or permanent boundary repairs
What it doesn’t do
- It isn’t the same as a permanent fence or wall repair
- It can’t “repair” structural damage (we can secure and advise, but structural remediation is for builders/engineers)
- It’s not a guarantee against a determined intruder — we’ll recommend stronger measures where needed (e.g., boarding up openings, temporary steel doors, security screens)
When you call, we’ll talk through the site layout and the urgency, then recommend the most realistic approach.
Emergency temporary fencing in Hemel Hempstead: what to expect when you call
People usually call us when they’ve got an urgent safety problem and need a calm plan. Here’s how we handle it:
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Quick questions on the phone
We’ll ask what’s happened, whether anyone is on-site, and what needs to be enclosed or blocked off. If safe, photos help. -
A realistic ETA and options
We don’t promise fixed arrival times — conditions and workload vary — but we do prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone. -
On-site assessment and “make safe” plan
We’ll identify the risk: access points, trip hazards, unstable panels/walls, and any public-facing exposure. -
Install temporary fencing and stabilise where possible
We install panels, set bases, add bracing as required, and position access points sensibly (e.g., for residents, contractors, or emergency services). -
Documentation for your records/insurer
If needed, we can provide an itemised invoice and a clear description of the work done. Many customers also request time-stamped photos for file/insurance purposes.
For urgent attendance, call now: 01442 502 589. If you’re mid-claim, our insurance claims guidance may help you prepare what insurers typically ask for.
Materials and methods we use (practical, secure, and fit for purpose)
Temporary fencing isn’t “one size fits all”. The best setup depends on the surface, the level of risk, and how long it needs to stay in place.
Temporary fence panels (standard perimeter protection)
Most temporary fencing uses metal mesh panels joined together to form a continuous barrier.
- Best for: quick perimeters, gardens, car parks, site boundaries, and restricting public access
- Typical setup: panels linked with couplers/clips and supported by weighted bases
- Extra stability: we can add braces where wind exposure or uneven ground makes movement more likely
Where appropriate, we’ll recommend a layout that reduces weak points (e.g., minimising corners that can be forced, avoiding gaps behind bins/sheds, and controlling the “easy routes” across a site).
Gates and controlled access
If people need access (contractors, residents, deliveries), we can plan for a designated access point rather than leaving panels easy to move.
- Best for: planned works, shared access areas, commercial sites
- Security note: the more access you require, the more important it is to combine fencing with other security measures (boarding up openings, better locks, lighting, alarms)
Ground considerations (bases, stability, and safe positioning)
The surface matters. We’ll consider:
- Hardstanding (tarmac/concrete): stable bases work well, but placement must avoid trip hazards
- Soft ground (lawns/soil): may need extra bracing, better base positioning, or alternative layout
- Slopes/uneven areas: we’ll reduce “rocking” and gaps where possible and talk you through limitations
Combining fencing with boarding up for better security
Fencing helps control the perimeter — but if there’s an exposed opening, it’s usually best practice to secure that too:
- Board up broken window risks: easy access + weather ingress
- Board up door situations: forced entry risk + privacy and liability issues
- Shopfront boarded up requirements: larger openings, higher public visibility and increased risk out of hours
If you need those measures, we can quote and carry out the appropriate works: window boarding, door boarding, and shopfront boarding.
Temporary fencing for different property types (residential, commercial, vacant)
Residential properties (HP1–HP3 and surrounding areas)
For homes, temporary fencing is commonly used when:
- a boundary has come down in high winds
- a side gate area is exposed and vulnerable
- builders have left an opening or incomplete boundary during works
If there’s also a smashed window or compromised door, we’ll usually recommend combining fencing with temporary boarding for a more complete secure property solution.
Commercial and industrial sites
Commercial sites often need fast action to reduce liability and control access — especially when damage happens out of hours.
Temporary fencing can be used to:
- isolate a damaged frontage or car park edge
- prevent access to unsafe areas
- provide a temporary perimeter during emergency repairs
If glazing is damaged, you may also need emergency boarding up or shopfront boarding.
Vacant and void properties
Vacant properties can be targeted simply because they look unattended. Temporary fencing helps, but for longer periods we may advise additional security measures depending on the risk and layout. For more on this, see vacant property boarding & security.
A typical emergency call-out (what it often looks like)
A typical call-out might involve a property in the Hemel Hempstead area where storm damage has taken down multiple fence panels overnight, leaving a rear garden open to a footpath and the back of the house exposed.
The customer calls in the evening concerned about opportunistic entry. We’d agree an approach over the phone, attend to assess the gap and the best line for a temporary barrier, then install a run of temporary fence panels with weighted bases and bracing where needed. If we find a vulnerable point (like a damaged rear door or a ground-floor smashed window), we’ll explain options and, if approved, carry out temporary boarding to reduce the risk of entry and weather damage.
Where the surface or access makes a perfect seal impossible, we’ll be upfront about that and design the most robust arrangement achievable on-site.
What you can do right now (while you’re waiting)
If your site is exposed, these steps can help reduce risk:
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If there’s danger, call emergency services first
If there’s a collapsed wall, live electrics, or structural instability, keep clear and call 999. -
Don’t put yourself at risk to “hold” a boundary
Avoid trying to prop broken panels in high winds or move debris on a roadway. -
Take photos (if safe)
Wide shots and close-ups help with insurance and contractors later. If you’ve been burgled, keep your police reference number. -
Remove easy opportunities
Bring ladders, bins, or loose items away from exposed areas where possible. -
Call us with the basics
Tell us what needs securing, approximate length of gap, whether there’s vehicle access, and if anyone is on-site.
For urgent help, call: 01442 502 589. If you’re dealing with a break-in, our burglary repairs guidance may also be useful.
Why choose Boarding Up Hemel Hempstead?
You need a contractor who turns up prepared, explains options clearly, and leaves the site genuinely safer than they found it.
- 10+ years trading in property security and emergency boarding work
- Fully insured for peace of mind
- DBS-checked technicians (important for occupied homes and sensitive sites)
- Clear communication, practical solutions, and straightforward documentation
If you’d like to understand likely cost factors before calling, see our pricing guidance (we don’t publish fixed prices because every site, access issue, and risk level is different).
Temporary fencing FAQs (Hemel Hempstead & HP area)
Do you cover my area in the HP postcodes?
Yes — we cover Hemel Hempstead and the surrounding HP postcode districts (HP1–HP27). If you’re unsure, call 01442 502 589 and we’ll confirm coverage and give a realistic ETA.
Can you help out of hours?
Yes. We handle urgent out of hours situations where you need to make safe quickly. For immediate help, use our emergency boarding up page or call 01442 502 589.
Is temporary fencing enough after a break-in?
Sometimes, but not always. Fencing controls the perimeter; it doesn’t secure broken doors/windows. After a burglary, it’s common to combine fencing with door boarding or window boarding to properly secure property.
Can you fence off just part of a site?
Yes — partial fencing is common, especially when only one area is unsafe (a collapsed boundary section, a damaged side access, or an exposed rear garden). We’ll recommend a layout that reduces gaps and weak points.
What if the ground is uneven or soft?
We can often still install temporary fencing, but stability depends on conditions. We’ll use bracing and sensible positioning and explain any limitations before proceeding.
Will you provide paperwork for my insurer or landlord?
We’re not loss adjusters, but we can provide the documentation insurers typically ask for: an itemised invoice, a clear work description, and (if requested) photos. See insurance claims help for practical guidance.
I need to board up a broken window as well — can you do both?
Yes. If you need to board up broken window openings (or a board up door job) at the same time as fencing, we can handle it and coordinate the work so the property is left secure. Start here: window boarding in Hemel Hempstead.
Get temporary fencing in Hemel Hempstead – call now
If your boundary is down, access is open, or you need an urgent “make safe”, we can help with temporary fencing across Hemel Hempstead and the HP area.
Need help now? Call 01442 502 589 or email info@boarding-up-hemel-hempstead.co.uk and we’ll talk you through the next steps.