Theft Raises Your Costs, Lowers Your Profits
Theft at construction sites can cause massive cost overruns, replacement times can delay projects, and ultimately it can cost you your job. That’s why it’s critical that your security measures start long before you begin working on any individual project by implementing efficient and safe ways to protect your assets.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, construction site theft costs between 1 billion and 4 billion dollars a year in losses that include tools, materials, and equipment. Construction sites make excellent targets for thieves because many sites have little or no security measures in place to deter trespassers.
Construction site theft is a crime of opportunity where thieves often strike at night. An estimated 90 percent of all construction theft takes place between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday when equipment, tools, and materials are often left unattended and unprotected.
Your equipment, tools, materials, appliances and other investments are all at risk, but there are steps you can take to protect them.
Here are 5 ½ Steps You Can take Now to Help Prevent Losses:
1. Identify Assets and Property- All assets on a construction site should be identified, inventoried, and tracked as closely as possible. If you don’t have a record of everything you have on site, you may not even realize that something is missing until you really need it. Take a full inventory of the equipment that you have on site. This includes pictures of all equipment and tracking serial numbers, equipment makes, models and years. Also keep a full inventory of products that you have purchased to use in your project, when it was used, or when it will be used in the future.
2. Invest in a Complete Video Security Solution- When you consider the potential losses, likely project delay, and the possibility of losing your job, a complete video security solution like ConstructionSentry is a no-brainier. Instantly watch live and recorded video, in addition to high-res still images. Video analytics turn your construction cameras into a powerful alarm system by enabling it to detect unauthorized persons and vehicles on site after hours, or any time. A video push notification can be instantly sent to your cell phone, or to operators in monitoring centers, who can then dispatch law enforcement as appropriate.
3. Secure and Store Tools and Equipment When Not in Use- Storage sheds or fenced areas should be provided on the job site for the secure storage of tools and equipment. If you leave your tools and materials sitting out at the end of the day, you might as well put a sign that says “steal me” next to it. There are a lot of thefts at job sites where the site is vulnerable. If there’s lumber laying around or if tools are not locked up securely it’s an easy target.
4. Reduce Liability and Improve Site Safety- Give yourself a chance to correct any unsafe conditions ahead of time by monitoring your construction site with a video security solution that allows you to see everything from virtually anywhere. Check on your site from your phone or computer and make sure it’s safe from trespassers and look to see if your tools are properly secured. This ability to quickly access your site can help improve safety and reduce the chance of theft occurring.
5. Lighting the Job Site- Lighting can be an effective deterrent to theft and vandalism. A well lit job site makes it much more difficult for a thief to arrive and leave without being seen.
5. 1/2 Watch this video of an intruder being detected as he enters a construction site.
You don’t have to be a victim of construction site theft. Important measures such as these will greatly reduce your risk of on-site theft.
Click here to learn more about how ConstructionSentry can help secure your site.