Theft on Construction Sites

Construction industry leaders estimate they suffer $1 billion a year in losses due to theft. Unscrupulous employees or subcontractors may take tools or leftover materials. But, the bulk of these losses on construction sites comes from actual theft by a third-party.

A 2015 study by the National Equipment Register found that Texas had the most cases of equipment theft in the country. Houston was the top city for this criminal activity. Surely, these are not the lists where we want to be on top!

Motive and Opportunity

Contractors see shortages and delays on construction projects due to backorders and permitting backlogs. As the timeframe for completion drags out, machinery, equipment and materials may sit onsite for longer than usual. As a result, they become vulnerable to theft. The high cost and lead times to obtain items pushes some to find them through illegal means. From homeowners working on a remodel, to general contractors doing a major project, there is a real risk of losses.

Targeted Items

Thieves are targeting items in every category. With the high value of copper right now, cabling is a very hot item. Workers can easily remove hand tools and smaller motorized tools from the construction site without notice. For a home remodeling project, the fabricator may leave slabs or tile out on the driveway while working. Boxes of tiles or whole slabs have been known to disappear under this model.  Other materials like lumber, fixtures and even appliances from a new home build are stolen if not properly secured. One commercial property even saw the backhoe stolen overnight when left onsite. It seems nothing (big or small) is safe from these criminals.

Protecting your Construction Sites

There are a number of ways to protect a construction site and the materials or equipment stored there. Make it as difficult as possible for thieves to target the site.  This will deter the more opportunistic criminals. Some tips for keeping items safe:

• Add fencing with locks. Keep out trespassers with temporary fencing with a locked gate. While they may jump the fence or cut a hole, they will not be able to remove much from inside without an easy exit plan.
• Add video surveillance. Set up cameras with alerts when motion is detected. Or add video monitoring during the project. A third party checks the video anytime there is activity on the camera and will dispatch police if criminal activity is observed.
• Rent a storage building. Lock up equipment and materials in a rented storage container.
• Add inventory control processes. Create a log system where parts, tools and equipment are signed out and signed back in by employees and subcontractors.
• Order materials in real-time. For parts that are not on backorder, wait to order them until they are ready to be installed. The fewer items being kept at the construction sites, the less temptation for theft.
• Remove keys or controllers from heavy machinery. Backhoes, man-lifts and other machinery are tempting not just for theft but for vandalism or joyriding. Keep them in a secure location but also make sure they are inoperable.

We Can Help

Cultris Security can help secure your construction site with CCTV and video monitoring.  Call us at 281-506-8466 or visit us online for more information.