Tool theft is one of the biggest problems facing construction firms and tradespeople, with the majority admitting they have been a victim or know a victim of tool theft. Significant time and money is being wasted replacing tools, dealing with insurance companies, chasing up police reports and reorganising scheduled work.
While it’s difficult to fully prevent tool theft, we’ve put together 7 useful tips to help you deter thieves.
Follow our top tips to help prevent tool theft
Jump to:
- Key Construction Theft Statistics
- 1. Prevent tool theft from your van
- 2. Mark your tools against theft
- 3. Construction site security fencing
- 4. Secure equipment storage
- 5. Site security cameras
- 6. Site security checks
- 7. Security guards and dogs
- Why You Should Consider Tool Theft Insurance
4 Key Construction Theft Statistics
Here are the latest construction theft statistics from the CIOB and NFU Mutual:
- 92% of tradespeople have experienced theft or know a victim of tool theft
- The construction industry suffers a loss of more than £400 million a year due to theft
- Almost 3 in 10 construction businesses have had a vehicle stolen
- 23% of tool theft victims were a target of organised crime
Tool theft is a year-round issue however, the dark winter months increase the risk on construction sites. This, combined with lower staff levels over winter, can leave tradespeople and businesses more vulnerable, making preventative measures paramount.
Preventing tool and equipment theft is critical to keeping your projects on track and minimising losses. To protect your assets, here are practical security tips along with the typical costs associated with each measure.
1. Prevent tool theft from your van
One of the most vulnerable places for tool theft is from your van. Here are some proven methods to minimise the risk:
- Avoid storing tools in your van overnight: If possible, always remove tools from your van when it’s parked for long periods, especially overnight. Storing them inside a locked garage or storage area is a safer option.
- Cost: No additional cost if you have a secure storage space, or about £150–£300 for a heavy-duty lockbox.
- Keep equipment out of sight: If you must leave tools in your van, make sure they are hidden from view. Don’t leave equipment on display as it can tempt thieves.
- Cost: £0
- Install a van alarm or immobiliser for an added layer of protection.
- Cost: Basic van alarms range from £100–£300 while more advanced immobiliser systems may cost around £200–£500
- Park strategically: Parking against a wall or in a secure location can make it more difficult for thieves to access your vehicle.
- Cost: No cost if you have access to a secure or enclosed area, but if needed, renting secure parking facilities can cost between £50–£150 per month
Avoid storing tools in your van or at least keep them out of sight
2. Mark your tools against theft
Marking your tools can deter thieves and make it easier to recover stolen items. There are several ways to mark your tools effectively:
- Engraving or metal stamps: You can use engravers or stamps to mark your tools with your name or company details
- Cost: Engraving kits cost between £10–£50 and professional engraving services start at around £5–£20 per tool
- Spray paint or UV marking: Use bright-coloured spray paint or UV markers to make your tools easily identifiable.
- Cost: UV marking kits typically cost around £20–£40′
- Tracking devices: Small tracking devices, such as AirTags, can be attached to valuable tools to help track them if stolen.
- Cost: AirTags start at £29 per device, and professional GPS tracking systems for larger equipment may cost between £100–£500
- CESAR marking for construction vehicles: This system involves marking and registering your equipment in a national database
- Cost: CESAR marking costs around £150–£300 per vehicle
Marking your tools is a cost-effective way to recover stolen items
3. Construction site security fencing
Secure fencing is a critical part of preventing unauthorised access to construction sites:
- Heras fencing or construction hoarding: These provide a solid, secure perimeter around your site.
- Cost: Heras fencing costs around £7–£12 per panel per week to rent, while construction hoarding prices range from £30–£50 per metre.
- Heras fence covers: These covers prevent outsiders from seeing what’s inside your site.
- Cost: Heras fence covers start from £44 per cover
- Security turnstiles: Installing turnstiles helps control who enters and exits your construction site.
- Cost: Turnstile installation typically starts at £2,000–£5,000 depending on the level of technology used.
- Vehicle access control: Automated vehicle barriers and gates can restrict access to authorised vehicles only.
- Cost: Prices range from £1,000–£4,000 for installation and setup
Heras fence covers help hide your tools and machinery from potential tool thieves
4. Secure equipment storage
Properly storing equipment can reduce the likelihood of theft.
- Lockable storage: Shipping containers, lockboxes, or secure storage units provide a safe place for tools.
- Cost: Renting a lockable storage container starts at around £20–£50 per week, while buying one costs between £1,500–£3,000
- Anchor equipment to fixed points: Use heavy-duty chains and locks to secure equipment to immovable objects like eye bolts in concrete floors.
- Cost: Chains and locks cost around £50–£150, and installing a fixed anchor point costs £100–£300
- Avoid stockpiling high-value materials: Reducing the amount of valuable stock, such as copper or lead, on-site minimises the risk of material theft.
- Cost: This involves better planning rather than additional expense, though securely storing materials may cost about £50–£100 for lockable containers
Secure storage containers are a great way to prevent tool theft but do come at a cost
5. Site security cameras
Cameras act as both a deterrent and a tool for monitoring your site:
- Visible cameras: Installing visible security cameras at strategic points around the site will discourage thieves.
- Cost: Basic security cameras start at £100, while more advanced systems with night vision or motion sensors can cost upwards of £500
- Mobile cameras for large sites: Mobile security cameras can be moved around to monitor different areas.
- Cost: These can be rented for around £50–£200 per week, depending on the technology.
- Remote monitoring systems: Many modern cameras offer remote monitoring from your smartphone or computer.
- Cost: A subscription to remote monitoring services may cost between £20–£50 per month.
Use security cameras to deter tool thieves and monitor your construction site
6. Site security checks
Regular security checks ensure that all precautions are in place.
- Inspect locks and alarms: Ensure all site locks and alarms are functional before leaving.
- Cost: Periodic checks by site personnel involve no additional cost, though installing alarms may cost £100–£300 per unit.
- Adjust cameras and lighting: Ensure cameras are correctly positioned and that security lights are operational.
- Cost: LED security lights with motion sensors cost between £30–£100
Regularly checking your site security maintains your protection against tool theft
7. Security Guards and Dogs
For high-risk or high-value sites, hiring security personnel is an excellent investment.
- Security guards: Employing professional guards to monitor your site is an effective way to deter theft.
- Cost: Security guards typically cost around £15–£30 per hour, depending on location and experience.
- Security dogs: Using trained security dogs can be highly effective, especially for night-time security.
- Cost: Dog security services cost between £500–£1,000 per week.
Security guards or dogs are particularly effective for high-value construction sites
By implementing these measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of tool and equipment theft on your construction site. While some of these solutions require investment, the costs are minimal compared to the potential losses from theft.
Why You Should Consider Tool Theft Insurance
While implementing physical security measures like alarms, fencing, and security cameras is crucial in protecting your tools and equipment, these steps alone may not be enough to guarantee complete protection. Construction site thefts can still occur, and the financial consequences of losing expensive tools can be devastating for your business. This is where tool theft insurance comes in.
1. Protect Against High Replacement Costs
Tools like power drills, saws, and specialist equipment can be expensive to replace, especially if you own a large collection. If thieves steal tools from your van or construction site, insurance ensures you won’t have to pay out of pocket to replace them.
2. Cover for Loss or Damage
Tool theft insurance doesn’t just cover theft—it often covers damage caused by break-ins as well. If your van or construction site is broken into and equipment is damaged in the process, insurance will help pay for repairs and replacements. This is particularly important if you’re relying on vehicles with advanced security like alarms or immobilisers, which may themselves be damaged during a theft attempt.
3. Protection on and Off-Site
One key benefit of tool theft insurance is that it often covers your tools wherever they are—whether stored in a van, on a job site, or in transit. Even if you implement all the best security practices, your tools may still be vulnerable to theft in off-site situations. With insurance, your tools are protected, no matter where they’re stolen from.
4. Peace of Mind
Having tool theft insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that your livelihood is protected. If a major theft occurs on-site, insurance provides a safety net so your business can recover quickly. You won’t have to worry about costly delays or losing clients due to missing equipment.
5. Minimal Downtime
Time is money in the construction industry. If your tools are stolen, waiting to replace them can result in significant project delays, especially if the stolen items are specialised or difficult to replace. With tool theft insurance, you can file a claim and replace your stolen equipment faster, minimising downtime and keeping your projects on schedule.
6. Coverage for High-Value Items
If you store high-value items like copper, lead, or specialist equipment on-site, the financial loss from theft could be huge. Even with secure storage and marking systems like CESAR, thieves may still target these valuable materials. Insurance can provide an extra layer of protection for high-value items, making it easier to recover from a significant loss.
Recommended Provider: NFU Mutual
For comprehensive and reliable tool theft insurance, we recommend NFU Mutual. They offer customisable policies designed to meet the needs of tradespeople and construction professionals. NFU Mutual is known for its excellent customer service and tailored insurance solutions, ensuring you get the protection you need.
Tool and equipment theft is a costly and disruptive issue for tradespeople and construction brands, impacting productivity and project timelines. While it’s challenging to completely eliminate the risk, implementing these 7 tips can help you significantly reduce vulnerability to theft. By combining physical security measures with comprehensive insurance, you can safeguard your business, assets, and peace of mind.
If you’re looking to add privacy to your construction site, check out our range of Heras fence covers, debris netting or building wraps. If you need any advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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All artworks created in this article were created by our Graphic Designer, Calum Bray.
