AiGuard
Construction site security solutions are more critical than ever, with theft costing U.S. companies over $1 billion annually in lost equipment, materials, and tools. Many firms assume, “It won’t happen to us,” or believe GPS tracking on heavy machinery ensures fast recovery. Others rely on insurance to cover losses, thinking it’s no big deal if items can’t be tracked. In fact, these are some of the most common misconceptions we hear from organizations that reach out to us for our free threat assessment offer.
The security solutions we offer for your construction site security or properties:
For insights on construction site security solutions, including details about our AiGuard™ and Guardian3™, a real client success story, and more on construction site theft, check out this previous issue of our newsletter.
We help keep properties secure with cutting-edge technology and integrated solutions that take into account your specific needs, concerns, and budget. Give us a call at 800-400-3167 or contact us through our website
Global Director of Operations
Every corner of a construction site holds valuable items, making it a prime target for thieves watching closely for the right moment to strike. They aim to steal and resell the most in-demand equipment from sites that lack proper protection. Below is a list of the most commonly stolen objects from construction sites.
These compact, high-value items are easy to grab and sell quickly on sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. Organized crime plays a major role in this market. Thieves often steal power tools not just from job sites but also from retail stores, handing them off to fences who resell them online at steep discounts. Store security cameras rarely deter them—but the voice of our trained monitors over security speakers absolutely does.
Watch this video of an intruder , who abruptly ended his unauthorized visit to the construction site within 15 seconds (most of which was spent trying to figure out how to get out as fast as possible).
Criminals—both individuals and syndicates—often target vacuums, chainsaws, and sanders because they’re easy to steal and sell quickly for a solid profit. Many believe law enforcement won’t bother pursuing such small items, making the risk feel minimal. Since these tools usually lack GPS or any tracking tech, once stolen, they’re quite literally gone.
Copper is KING, but metal roofing, lumber, and other raw materials are close behind in popularity. Thieves know copper is abundant, easy to grab, valuable, and nearly impossible to trace. The Department of Energy reports over $1 billion in copper theft annually, with much of it resold online for top dollar. Beyond the financial loss, stolen copper, cement, lumber, and roofing can delay construction projects by days or even weeks, depending on the scope and timeline.
Many essential building supplies often sit in unsecured areas after shifts, with no inventory tracking in place. Lumber, in particular, remains in high demand due to COVID-19 shortages and price hikes nearing 200%. In a recent Texas incident, thieves stole $10,000 worth of lumber in under 20 minutes.
Stealing large machines comes with higher risk—but even higher rewards. Bold criminals who target heavy equipment often go after loaders, tractors, and excavators. Loaders top the list, making up an estimated 18–30% of these thefts, followed by tractors at 10–20%, and excavators around 5%. Imagine arriving at your job site only to find that a $100,000+ earth mover has disappeared—that’s a nightmare no crew wants to face.
Towable items—like welders, generators, chippers, air compressors, and lighting—rank as the second most stolen type of construction equipment. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and the National Equipment Register (NER), towables account for roughly 20% of all equipment thefts.
These high-demand tools and materials are essential for getting the job done, so you can’t leave them off the site. The key is protecting them. A reliable security system helps deter criminals, but when intruders push forward, you need a stronger response—like ours. Our solution delivers a powerful audio warning through on-site speakers while alerting police and dispatching guards in real time.
To receive a free, on-site security threat assessment with one of our Specialists today, call us at (800) 400-3167
Michigan Central Station in Detroit operated from 1914 until it was left vacant in 1988. Ford bought the property in 2018 and has been transforming it into a large, multi-use campus ever since. The automaker’s autonomous vehicle unit already has office space there, and plans are in place for 5,000 more employees to join.
As a historic landmark and once a vital passenger train station, the site requires workers to handle any discovered relics with care. So far, crews have uncovered more than 200 items during the renovation, but one stood out—a Stroh’s Beer bottle, dated 7-19-13, found just last month. Inside was a rolled, weathered note reading, “Dan Hogan and Leo Smith stuck this greeting of Chicago July 1913.” We think the word “ceiling” is in there too, but it’s hard to say for sure. The date matches the original depot’s construction, adding a fascinating link to the past. Who knows what other treasures might surface as the project continues?
“Guardian really helps keep us aware of what’s going on with our job sites.
The protection service has done very well for us, and they are responsive if we ask them to send us pictures.”
Tommy Lam, Manager
Figure 8 Group, Inc.
Let Us Show You How We Can Mitigate Your Security Challenges!
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