Break-In Repair in Port St. Lucie

What to Do Right After a Break-In

First: don't go inside if you think someone might still be there. Call 911 first. Your safety is priority one.

Second: once police clear the scene, call us at (772) 284-5142. We'll come immediately to secure your property. Board up broken windows. Replace smashed locks. Make sure no one else can get in.

Third: take photos of everything before we clean up. You'll need them for insurance and the police report.

We've handled hundreds of break-in repairs across Port St. Lucie since 2009. We know what needs to happen first and what can wait until tomorrow.

How Break-Ins Happen in Port St. Lucie

Kicked-In Doors (60% of Break-Ins)

Most burglars don't pick locks. They kick the door near the handle. Hard.

If your strike plate is held in with short screws (most are), the frame splits and the door pops open. Takes about 2 seconds.

We fix this by replacing the damaged frame, installing a heavy-duty strike plate with 3-inch screws that anchor into the wall stud, and upgrading to Grade 1 deadbolts.

Pried Sliding Glass Doors (20% of Break-Ins)

Sliding doors are easy targets. Pry bar in the frame, lift the door off the track, and you're in.

We repair the frame, install anti-lift devices, add foot-operated floor locks, and secure the track with screws.

Broken Windows (15% of Break-Ins)

Someone smashes a window near the door, reaches through, and unlocks it from inside.

We board up broken windows immediately (glass replacement comes later), install window locks on all ground-floor windows, and add security film if you want extra protection.

Garage Door Entry (5% of Break-Ins)

Burglars pull the emergency release cord from outside, open the garage, and enter through the door to your house.

We secure the garage-to-house door with a deadbolt and fix or disable the emergency release so it can't be triggered from outside.

What We Do When We Arrive

Step 1: Emergency securing. Board up broken windows. Install temporary locks on damaged doors. Make sure your property is secure right now.

Step 2: Document everything. Take photos of damage for your insurance claim. Note all entry points.

Step 3: Assess what needs repair vs. replacement. Can we repair the door frame or does it need to be replaced? Can locks be rekeyed or do they need replacement?

Step 4: Give you options. We explain what's damaged, what needs to happen, and what it'll cost. You decide whether to do basic repairs or upgrade security.

Step 5: Do permanent repairs. Replace locks, fix or replace door frames, install reinforced strike plates, add security upgrades.

Step 6: Provide documentation for insurance. Detailed invoice with photos, itemized repairs, before/after shots.

Common Break-In Damage We Repair

Kicked-In Door Frames

When someone kicks a door, the frame usually splits where the strike plate is mounted.

Minor damage: We repair the split, reinforce with wood filler or epoxy, install a heavy-duty strike plate with 3-inch screws.

Major damage: Replace the damaged section of frame. Sometimes the whole frame needs replacement.

Either way, we make it stronger than it was before the break-in.

Smashed Locks

Burglars sometimes try to pry or smash locks. Cylinders get damaged. Lock bodies get bent.

We replace damaged locks with Grade 1 high-security deadbolts. No point installing the same cheap lock that just got broken.

Pried Sliding Doors

Sliding doors that have been pried often have bent tracks and damaged frames.

We straighten or replace bent tracks, repair frame damage, install anti-lift pins, add foot locks, and secure the track so it can't be lifted again.

Broken Windows

We don't replace glass (that's a glazier's job), but we'll board up broken windows immediately with 3/4-inch plywood. Secure mounting. Weather-resistant.

We can coordinate with a glass company or you can handle that part. Either way, your property is secure until the glass gets replaced.

Should You Repair or Upgrade?

Here's the reality: burglars often return to homes they've hit before. They know your patterns now. They know what you have inside.

You can repair the damage and hope it doesn't happen again. Or you can upgrade to make your home way harder to break into.

Most of our Port St. Lucie clients choose to upgrade after a break-in. Here's why:

Upgrade Your Locks

If someone just kicked in your door with a Grade 3 deadbolt, don't replace it with another Grade 3. Upgrade to Grade 1.

Add brands like Schlage B60, Kwikset 980, or Medeco if you want the best. These are tested to withstand serious force.

Reinforce Your Door Frame

Install a door jamb armor kit. It's a metal wrap around your frame that distributes force across a larger area. Makes kick-ins almost impossible.

Add reinforced strike plates with 4 screws anchored into studs. Add hinge reinforcement with stud-mounted screws.

Costs about $100-200. Makes your door nearly kick-proof.

Add Security Systems

After a break-in, most people realize visible security deters burglars. We can install:

• Smart locks with alerts (know when doors are opened)
• Motion-sensor lights (burglars hate lights)
• Security cameras (visible deterrent + evidence)
• Alarm system integration

Homes with visible security systems are 300% less likely to be targeted.

How Much Does Break-In Repair Cost?

Depends on the damage. Here's what we typically charge:

Emergency service call (24/7): $100-150

Emergency board-up (per window/door): $75-200

Lock replacement: $100-300 per door (depends on lock quality)

Door frame repair: $150-400 (minor to moderate damage)

Door frame replacement: $300-700 (major damage)

Door reinforcement kit (jamb armor, strike plates, hinge screws): $100-250 per door

Sliding door repair & security upgrade: $200-500

Window board-up + security locks: $150-350

Full security upgrade (multiple doors, reinforcement, high-security locks): $800-2,500+

Most homeowner's insurance covers break-in repairs (subject to your deductible). We provide all documentation you need for claims.

Will Insurance Cover This?

Usually yes. Homeowner's and renter's insurance typically cover break-in damage and theft.

Here's what you need to do:

1. File a police report. Get a case number. Insurance requires this.

2. Document everything. Take photos of all damage before repairs. List stolen items.

3. Call your insurance company. Report the break-in within 24-48 hours.

4. Get repair estimates. We'll provide a detailed invoice with photos, parts list, and labor breakdown.

5. Save all receipts. Insurance needs proof of what was repaired and what it cost.

We've worked with every major insurance company. We know what they need for claims. We'll document everything properly.

How to Prevent Future Break-Ins

You can't make your home 100% burglar-proof, but you can make it way harder to break into. Here's what works:

Physical Security

• Grade 1 deadbolts on all exterior doors
• Reinforced door frames with jamb armor
• 3-inch strike plate screws into wall studs
• Solid core or steel doors (hollow doors kick in easily)
• Window locks on all ground-floor windows
• Trim bushes near doors and windows (eliminate hiding spots)

Visible Deterrents

• Motion-sensor lights at all entry points
• Security cameras (even fake ones deter some burglars)
• Alarm system yard signs (even if you don't have an alarm)
• Beware of Dog signs (burglars avoid dogs)

Behavioral Security

• Lock doors even when you're home
• Don't advertise valuables (close blinds at night)
• Don't post vacation plans on social media
• Use timers to turn lights on/off when you're away
• Know your neighbors (community watch helps)

Technology

• Smart locks (get alerts when doors open)
• Smart doorbells (see who's at your door from your phone)
• Security cameras (cloud storage for evidence)
• Alarm systems (monitored is better than unmonitored)

Common Questions About Break-In Repair

Should I call you or my insurance first?

Call us first to secure your property. Insurance companies require you to prevent further damage. That means boarding up windows and securing doors ASAP.

Then call insurance to report the claim. We'll provide documentation they need.

How fast can you respond after a break-in?

We treat break-ins as emergencies. Average response time is 15-30 minutes in Port St. Lucie, even if it's 2 AM.

We understand the urgency. You don't want to leave your home unsecured any longer than necessary.

Should I change all my locks after a break-in?

Yes. If keys were stolen, absolutely rekey or replace all locks immediately. Even if keys weren't taken, we recommend it.

Burglars sometimes case homes for weeks before breaking in. They may have obtained keys beforehand (from contractors, previous owners, etc.).

Can you make my home more secure than before?

Absolutely. Most homes have weak security that just meets minimum code. After a break-in, we upgrade to actual security.

Grade 1 locks, reinforced frames, stud-anchored strike plates. Your home will be way harder to break into than it was.

What if the damage is really bad?

If your door or frame is destroyed beyond repair, we'll tell you honestly. Sometimes replacement is the only option.

We can handle basic door replacement or coordinate with a carpenter for major work. Either way, we'll secure it tonight and fix it properly tomorrow.

Do you work with police?

We'll wait for police to clear the scene and document evidence before we start repairs. We don't want to disturb anything they need.

Once they're done, we secure the property. If police need access later for investigation, we can coordinate that.

Service Areas for Break-In Repair

We provide 24/7 emergency break-in repair throughout Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast:

• Port St. Lucie
• Saint Lucie West
• Tradition
• Fort Pierce
• Jensen Beach
• Stuart
• Palm City
• Port Salerno
• Rio

We'll Get You Through This

Break-ins are traumatic. The violation of your home creates fear and stress.

But you're not alone. We've helped hundreds of Port St. Lucie families recover from break-ins. We know what needs to happen and how to do it fast.

Tonight, we secure your property. Tomorrow, we make it stronger.

Call us now. Let's fix this.

Related Emergency Services

• 24/7 Emergency Locksmith - Complete emergency service
• High-Security Lock Installation - Upgrade to Grade 1 deadbolts
• Door Lock Repair - Fix damaged locks
• Residential Locksmith Services - Complete home security