16 Ways to Improve your House Security During Construction
KEY TAKEAWAYS
When your house is under construction, security becomes a central concern. There would be expensive equipment and materials on the premises. Unfortunately, it also makes for a great opportunity for thieves and vandals. So how can a house be secured when under construction?
There are several ways you can keep your house secure when under construction.
- First and foremost, form a security plan.
- Set up security measures around the site.
- Make sure the entire site is well-lit.
- Keep valuable items safe from theft or damage.
- Anything that needs to be delivered should be scheduled so you can keep a check when they come and go. There should be someone to supervise at all times.
- Use smart locks to monitor access.
- Employ surveillance equipment inside and outside the premises too.
- Use signs to warn off trespassers.
- Hire trained security guards.
- Have your site undergo a security risk assessment that will help you prepare a security plan.
We have put together some great tips from experts on how to secure your house during construction.
11. Due Diligence- Seek References
“The most important security measure that any homeowner can take before renovations is due diligence. We encourage all of our new customers to contact several past customers. Homeowners should do the same for the company they are thinking of hiring prior to any agreements. Be sure to seek references outside of those provided by the company for a more open dialogue. It is well worth the time to be at ease when inviting strangers into your home. Many companies require a key or garage code so that they may access the home in the early morning. You have to be certain that the company is trustworthy.”
Ralph Severson, Owner Flooring Masters
12. Designate an Off-limits, Locked Section
“Remodeling can be a stressful process without having to worry about theft. On all of our job sites, we designate certain areas which are locked from the public, whether it’s a closet, a spare bedroom, or an attic space. Homeowners can do the same; buying a keyed door lock to create an off-limits section of the home is the most economical deterrent you can do. If that’s not enough we recommend buying an indoor camera like the ring indoor camera and putting it out in the open. Any contractor won’t mind having it there, we assume we’re on video all day long anyway.”
Ben Neely, Riverbend Homes
13. CCTV Surveillance
“Install security cameras. This is one of the most basic and effective ways to safeguard your home from burglars. Security cameras monitor unwanted movement, detect suspicious presence, and send instant alerts in case of any emergency. According to statistics, nearly 88% of burglars won’t enter a place with security cameras. So, it makes sense to install them while your house is being constructed. Set up solid fencing to safeguard your construction site. This not only prevents unwanted intrusions but also makes your main site hard to access. Ideally, the site fencing should be high enough to discourage larcenists from climbing and difficult enough to breach underneath. Mark your property on the construction site. This is a brilliant step to safeguard your property from larceny. Security marking is important because it makes it increasingly difficult for larcenists to sell. Use barcodes, labels, and etching liquids to mark your items. This aids police in returning your items in case they are stolen.”
Martin Orefice, real estate expert and Founder of Rent To Own Labs
14. Motion Sensors
“I’ve been approached many times over security features for homes under construction, and this is the advice I give my clients. Install temporary motion sensors. Motion sensors don’t have to be expensive, and when they’re temporary, they’re usually extremely portable. Put several up at the beginning of your driveway and all over the construction site.”
Michael Dean, Co-Founder at Pool Research, a pool installation and general landscaping company
15. Temporary Motion-Activated Lights and Alarms
“Install temporary motion sensors. Make sure that these sensors don’t respond to false alarms like deer, possums, or other wildlife so that you don’t constantly have false alarms going off. Install motion-activated lights around the perimeter of the home. Good lighting has always been an easy way to keep intruders away from your home. By installing motion-activated lights, you not only save energy but also ensure that only the area where a person is trying to break in is lit so that you can easily identify where the intruder is. Lastly, another good way to secure your home during construction is to post “No Trespassing” signs at the job site.”
Zach Reece Owner and Chief Operating Officer at Colony Roofers
16. Bonus- Don’t Forget to Secure Your Home Legally!
“When someone says to secure a home, generally we think about physically securing it. However, it is also important to secure it legally and financially. The best way to do this is ensuring that all zoning and code requirements have been met. It also is important to ensure that you and your contractors have the proper permits and have signed an agreed-upon contract.”
Jonathan Cohen, Co-Founder at Cohen & Winters
