It’s one of the most frustrating things a contractor can experience. Sometimes it happens during lunch. Other times it’s at night. On a busy site—with multiple trades working at the same time—tools can even be stolen from right under your nose.
However it happens, it’s maddening. There are, however, a few steps you can take to thwart would-be job site tool thieves.
1. Light It Up
A dark construction job site is an invite to thieves. Install either regular lighting (if it’s appropriate for the site) or motion-activated lighting.
2. Install a Surveillance System or Cameras
This is obviously a bit of an investment, but if you’ve ever had $10,000 worth of construction tools stolen from a job site, you might be willing to pay more for peace-of-mind.
3. Time Deliveries
Many contractors simply don’t accept Friday deliveries if there’s any chance their pipes, siding, or windows will be sitting around all weekend. Although it can be difficult, it’s a good policy to try to time deliveries so that supplies are installed shortly after you receive them.
4. Be a Good Neighbor
Talk to your surrounding property owners and establish a relationship. If you’re dealing with an active job site, you can agree to look out for each other. If you’re working next to a residence or business, a gift card to a local restaurant can go a long way in creating good will—and an extra set of eyes on your site.
5. Put Up a Barrier
There are certainly occasions when the expense of an actual fence is the right solution, but technology has provided another option. Geofences work by creating a virtual perimeter around your construction job site. This allows you to track the entry and exit of people, equipment, and vehicles to your site.
6. Watch out for Your Big-Ticket Items
This is another way in which technology can lend a hand—and it’s easier than installing a geofence. Instead, you just put gps tracking devices on any high-dollar items that are left on site. You wouldn’t stick one on a hammer, obviously, but it could save you thousands of dollars if your Viking fridge or a Cat front-end loader turns up missing.
7. Get It Outta There
It might not be practical to haul a load of equipment all the way back to your shop, garage, or warehouse—or you simply might not have the space. Renting a self storage unit for contractors is an easy way to potentially solve a lot of problems. At StorageMart, we offer affordable self-storage units that are clean and well-lit. What’s more, they can be rented on a month-by-month basis.
According to the National Crime Information Center, construction theft costs contractors almost $1 billion each year. It may pay off in the long run to invest in solutions to keep your tools and supplies where they belong—with you.