Basic
$149 – $340 each
1/2 in. exterior plywood cut to the opening and screwed to the exterior frame
Rendering: BuildX
Boardup Window
Emergency board-up of one standard residential window opening with exterior plywood.
Rendering: BuildX
Emergency board-up of one standard residential window opening with exterior plywood.
Boardup Window typically costs $175 to $400 each (national average as of 2026). Most straightforward jobs start near $175 each. Final pricing depends on material quality, project scope, local labor rates, and site conditions. Use our free calculator below for a personalized estimate.
Quality Level
Estimated Total Cost
1 unit(s) • Standard Quality
National average — enter your ZIP for local prices.
Estimates are approximate and vary by location, project scope, and current market conditions. Contact a local contractor for an accurate quote.
$149 – $340 each
1/2 in. exterior plywood cut to the opening and screwed to the exterior frame
$175 – $400 each
5/8 in. exterior plywood cut to fit, screwed to framing at close spacing, edges trimmed tight
$219 – $500 each
3/4 in. exterior plywood with 2x4 strongbacks and through-bolts for security, cut for a tight fit
| Component | Category | Low | High | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $79 | $180 | each |
| Labor | labor | $61 | $140 | each |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $21 | $48 | each |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $14 | $32 | each |
Emergency board-up of one standard residential window opening with exterior plywood.
Typical boardup window pricing range each.
Starting price $175 each. National average as of 2026. This is a directional range. Final pricing depends on scope, materials, access, and local labor rates.
Estimates are approximate and vary by location, project scope, and current market conditions. Contact a local contractor for an accurate quote.
Circular saw cutting plywood to window size
Rendering: BuildX
Find a pro to do thisPlywood panel screwed over a window opening
Rendering: BuildX
Find a pro to do thisBoardup Window usually lands between $175 to $400 each. That range reflects current national calculator data after materials, labor, supplies, equipment, and disposal are rolled together. Your real quote will move based on quantity, site conditions, finish level, and contractor availability in your ZIP code.
Emergency board-up of one standard residential window opening with exterior plywood.
Material selections can move the budget faster than anything else, with current material allowances landing around $79 to $180 each.
Labor complexity is the next major swing factor, with installation or trade time currently averaging $61 to $140 each.
Smaller consumables still matter, because supplies are contributing about $21 to $48 each.
Specialty tools, access equipment, cleanup, and disposal can add another $14 to $32 each.
Scope changes, premium finishes, difficult access, demolition, and permit requirements can push the total toward the high end of the range. Cleaner access, standard finishes, and bundled work often keep the job closer to the low end.
Get multiple itemized bids, ask contractors to separate materials from labor, and confirm what is included before you compare totals. Scheduling during a slower season and bundling adjacent work can also reduce mobilization costs.
Keep specifications tight before work starts. Change orders are one of the fastest ways to blow past the original budget, especially when material lead times or specialty trades are involved.
DIY can make sense when you already own the tools, understand the prep requirements, and can tolerate schedule risk. Hiring a pro is usually the better move when mistakes would affect finish quality, code compliance, waterproofing, structural performance, or warranty coverage.
Use the calculator range of each as your baseline, then compare that against the time, tool rentals, material waste, and rework risk you would take on by doing the project yourself.
View local pricing for boardup window across 51 states.
Find contractors who list this service and ask for a written quote.
Cost guides for property owners. Contractor ID for the shops who do the work.
Most boardup window jobs start with site review, measurements, and material confirmation. From there the crew usually handles preparation, core installation or repair work, cleanup, and a final walkthrough to confirm the finished scope matches the quote.
Ask each contractor how they handle protection of adjacent finishes, debris removal, and change approvals. Those three points tend to separate a clean project from an expensive headache.