Summary:

• Construction site theft is a billion-dollar problem in the United States, with individual sites losing an average of $30,000 in equipment and materials. Recovery rates are extremely low—only 7% in the US and 5% in the UK.
• The problem is driven by two main factors: organized criminal groups targeting heavy machinery and construction tools and high metal prices (especially copper) due to demand from repairing electrical grids and building EVs and data centers.
• Recent examples highlight the scale of the problem, including $1 million in materials stolen across 39 sites in Denver area and multiple incidents of heavy equipment theft totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars across the country.
• Violence is also a concern—construction workers are vulnerable due to early start times and remote locations.
• The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 is funding numerous new construction projects across the country, which may further increase opportunities for theft.
• LiveView Technologies' surveillance cameras include features like solar power, thermal imaging, and real-time monitoring to protect construction sites.

LVT Delivers Comprehensive Construction Site Security

Asset protection leaders charged with combatting construction site theft of valuable equipment, materials, and their workers’ own tools face a two-pronged challenge: organized crime syndicates and the global architectural and structural metals market.

The former has an insatiable appetite for heavy machinery, as well as tools, building materials, and appliances, while the continuing Wall Street rally also means soaring metal prices, especially copper, on the black market as well. That’s because copper is a key component of modern electrical grids, electric vehicles, and the new data centers responsible for generating artificial intelligence programs and other emerging technologies. Add continuing economic pressures, from inflation to social safety nets, and thieves find that crime truly does pay.

While architects, builders, and construction project managers must factor theft into the overall cost projections and budgets, it’s not sustainable for business. Many are assessing cost-effective construction site security solutions, like surveillance cameras with AI integrations, to reduce violent incidents, theft, and vandalism.

Valuable Equipment Fuels Construction Site Theft

According to the National Equipment Register (NER), nearly $1 billion worth of construction equipment is stolen from construction sites in the United States every year.

Thieves target construction equipment because they can make a quick profit with low stakes. With each U.S. construction site losing an average of $30,000 of valuable equipment, from heavy machinery to power tools, theft is a high priority for asset protection leaders. Not only is it expensive to replace stolen equipment, but theft also makes a financial impact on project timelines and worker’s productivity.

The issue is also a considerable challenge in the United Kingdom. According to a survey from the Chartered Institute of Building, the global organization that represents building services engineers, 92% of tradespeople have experienced theft, and 21% report it happens weekly. Even more shocking is the recovery rate for stolen, unregistered machinery which is quite low, with only 7% (U.S.) and 5% (UK) returned to owners.

According to FBI crime data, nearly 13,000 thefts occurred at construction sites in 2023, more than those that occurred at convenience stores. Contractors often bear the brunt of the loss, because many stolen items fall under insurance deductibles—but allowances for theft can often appear within construction project scopes.

Many construction sites are located in rural or exurban areas, where response from law enforcement can take more time. This allows thieves to operate without concern for immediate intervention from police. Some recent thefts of valuable equipment and building materials include:

• Building materials worth $1 million across 39 construction sites around metropolitan Denver and along Colorado’s Front Range
• Multiple skid steers—used for digging and hauling—along with excavators, trailers, and other building materials totaling more than $1 million from multiple sites across rural areas of Maryland
• Air conditioning units worth $50,000 in California’s San Fernando Valley
• Excavators, skid steers, trailers, and tractors worth nearly $350,000 from several construction sites outside Lake Charles, Louisiana
• Tools from a site in Leavenworth, Washington
• Lumber worth $315,000 in another heist in the larger metro Denver area

Another issue? Violence against construction workers. They are also criminals’ lines of sight because construction sites are often in rural or remote areas, and workers have early start times. In 2024, two construction workers were held at gunpoint, stealing personal belongings and copper tubing from a construction site in Wilson's Mills, North Carolina (2020 population 2,534).

An Increase in Infrastructure Construction Projects

The 2021 U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending, with $550 billion earmarked for “new” investments and programs.

Some projects currently underway:

• The world’s largest manufacturer of central processing units and semiconductors building two state-of-the-art manufacturing plants north of Columbus, Ohio
• The Florida Department of Transportation is constructing additional panther-only bridge crossings for State Road 29 and the “Alligator Alley” stretch of I-75
• Fifteen clean energy improvement projects across rural or remote areas from Alaska to Maine awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy
• The Utah Department of Transportation’s avalanche mitigation project in Little Cottonwood Canyon

Between significant infrastructure upgrades, clean energy projects, like solar and wind, facilities, and strong construction start forecasts for most market segments in 2025, this supply of new construction projects is certain to fuel demand for criminal syndicates and thieves.

Surveillance Cameras Tailored for Remote Construction Sites

LiveView Technologies offers what construction companies need in a surveillance camera system:

• Proactive deterrence and reactive construction security measures
• Continuous live and remote monitoring capabilities
• Off-the-grid capabilities weather the toughest conditions
• Wireless and solar and battery-powered
• Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) capabilities
• Rapid deployment and relocation as necessary
• Easy to scale the network quickly
• Real-time alerts

“We have millions of dollars’ worth of equipment in a very remote location and limited access to utilities or power,” Wohali Managing Partner David Boyden said about the company’s construction site. “It is a high target for general malfeasance, so the fact that we have security that is solar-powered and completely mobile is awesome. And because of LiveView Technologies, we have had zero vandalism.”

When searching for an effective construction site security solution here are some key features to look for in a mobile surveillance camera system, like our LVT Unitâ:

• Flashing Lights: These lights act as a visual deterrent, making potential thieves aware that the site is monitored.
• Security Lights: Bright flood lights can keep your construction sites out of the shadows. LVTâ mobile security units offer advanced lighting solutions that can be programmed from the user-friendly app to automatically illuminate your property at sunset, ensuring consistent visibility throughout the night. The LVT appâ provides users with the flexibility to remotely control the lights and customize settings to meet specific needs. By effectively illuminating your construction site, you can significantly reduce the risk of theft and other illicit activities that thrive in darkness.
• Thermal Imaging: This technology can detect trespassers even in complete darkness, ensuring 24/7 surveillance and allowing you to stay one step ahead of intruders. LVT’s thermal cameras register heat from a distance and then send an alert to your system, letting you know that someone is approaching or entering your site.
• Completely Mobile: For construction companies, security needs often change as projects are completed and new ones begin. LVT mobile security cameras are flexible and adapt to shifting demands. It’s easy to relocate the mobile units and adjust them to fit the specific security parameters needed for different construction projects.

Deliver Construction Projects on Time with LVT

Our customers invest in LVT for a robust construction site security solution. Our mobile surveillance cameras help companies deter bad actors, defend properties, and prevent theft, ultimately mitigating costly delays and delivering projects on time and on budget.

Ready to learn why our customers trust LVT to protect construction sites around the globe? Contact our team today for a demo.