My last few blogs were about the growing problem of copper theft, some of which occurs on construction sites. But if we put copper theft to one side, general theft on the construction site is also a serious problem and has to be solved.
The CBC recently reported that construction site theft was driving up home prices. Homebuilders for example, have estimated that new residential home vandalism and theft cost about $1,000 per home. And if heavy equipment is stolen, the replacement cost could be in the $100,000’s of dollars.
Construction equipment theft is a heavy burden on the industry as a whole, which is largely comprised of small businesses, contractors and developers. Insurance claims don’t usually cover the full costs involved, and inevitably the extra costs gets passed on to the purchaser.
If you’re a general contractor, project manager, or construction site superintendent, the last thing you need heading into an aggressive spring construction season is the loss of valuable tools, equipment, and materials - not to mention having your trailers and storage compounds rifled through and damaged.
You might think it’s enough to have a fenced, well-lit area, with secure locked gates - but it isn’t.