SURVEY: JOBSITE THEFT IS NUMBER ONE CONCERN FOR CONTRACTORS

Contractors experience an estimated $1 billion (this excludes amounts that were not reported to insurance companies due to high deductibles) in annual losses, stemming from the lack of jobsite security.

The National Association of Home Builders recently reported that residential jobsite losses account for an annual 1%-2% increase in the cost of building a new home.

In gathering its research, DEWALT interviewed more than 200 end users on jobsites across the country as well as worked with an independent research company, which polled more than 1,500 construction end users and buyers.

In addition to identifying jobsite security and the resulting loss of productivity as the #1 concern, the study also identified the following key statistics, further illustrating today’s jobsite security problem:

•97% of construction industry professionals surveyed – end users, buyers, project managers, etc. – are concerned about jobsite security;

•Tool theft, material theft, and truck/van protection are the top three types of jobsite losses;

•For more than 60% of construction end users and jobsite security system purchasers surveyed, tool theft is the #1 concern and has the greatest financial and economic impact;

•Replacement cost, lost time and decreased personal productivity are the top three reasons for jobsite security concerns;

•More than 50% of those surveyed have had equipment stolen in the past 12 months;

•More than 75% of jobsite theft occurs at night and on weekends;

•77% of jobsites have experienced theft up to five times each year over the past three years;

•Professional construction theft rings are a major concern, as they are re-selling tools or tool and machinery parts to unsuspecting contractors.

For an executive summary or complete copy of DEWALT’s research findings, please contact Samantha Oehl

This eUpdate posting by: Steve@BuildingOnline.com