Content from: Ken Manisco, Intelligent Estimates, Atlanta Georgia
Job site theft has always been a frustrating and costly element of home building but it really stings for builders during a slow housing market. It seems thieves will steal anything that isn’t nailed down and sometimes that doesn’t even deter them. Based on a survey completed by Builder Magazine, the top items stolen from job sites included copper wiring & pipes, lumber, appliances, A/C units, power tools and windows. Builders typically have numerous items on or near a job site that may be taken by thieves. Anything can be targeted but this list includes the most valuable items, items installed or stored outside and items that require little or no installation.
Each time something is taken from your job site it comes right out of your profit, twice. An item that is stolen has to be purchased again and sometimes reinstalled. Typically a job site theft causes a significant loss of time and many times thieves do damage removing items from the house. Most of the time the theft is too small to claim on your Builder’s Risk policy but big enough to hurt. So what can builders do to minimize theft?
Surveillance
The most extreme and costly solution, and most effective, is hire a security company to patrol your communities. This usually involves a marked security vehicle driving through your subdivisions and random times at night or during weekends. Also very costly and with a good bit of setup is job site video surveillance. The mere presence of video surveillance will often deter theft but sometimes only capture the criminal in the act without any good views to identify them.
Lock It Up
Locking up your job site is an easy way to deter theft. It may only slow thieves down but they may move on to another job site that isn’t locked. Locking all doors and windows at the end of each day keeps out unwanted visitors. Also stash any necessary materials or tools left in the house overnight out of sight from windows. Placing a job site lock box in a closet or hall way will enable you to lock up tools and small materials in one central place. During the early stages when the house cannot be locked up you may want to rent a security fence that surround the house. This limited access to the job site will not only help prevent theft but also unauthorized access which often leads to safety or liability concerns.
Just-In-Time Delivery
The best way to minimize theft is to practice just-in-time delivery. Don’t store materials on the job site. Deliver materials the day they are to be installed and don’t install items too soon. Be careful to schedule subs and deliveries so materials don’t sit on site over the weekend. Quiet job sites over the weekends invite thieves to come visit. If there isn’t anything to steal they won’t come out.
Subcontractor Partnering
Also keep close tabs on your subcontractors. Know who you are hiring and who will be working on your site. Loyal, long term subcontractors will tend to keep an eye on your jobs while you are not there. It is not their responsibility to manage your job, but if they feel you are watching their back they will watch yours.When the market turns slow we all need to find new ways to make money. Reducing job site theft should be an ongoing management priority but should become even more important when profits become slim.
Ken Manisco has been a homebuilder and construction consultant in the North Atlanta area for the last 12 years. Contact him at www.intelligent-estimates.com or 404-754-2100.
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