By building a security system into the new home, a builder can help in more ways.

• The occurrence of theft goes down and also the rate of vandalism.
• Insurance rates will be lower the whole term of the home ownership.
• Value is added to the home. A MLS listen makes the most of a built in security system. It is listed in features that a buyer is told about.
• The home becomes more marketable if there is protection for owners or of a vacant home.
• The profit of the first buyer purchase price is more than repaid at the time of sale.

One such system includes a 2-year homeowner security package. There are 2 years of fire protection and burglary protection included in the original sale. This is called a value added incentive to the homebuyer.

Also this built in construction feature will lower the chance of equipment and supplies being stolen. Construction site theft is about $1 billion dollars a year in the USA. This is a lot of hammers, drills, triple paned windows, roofing tiles etc. to be walking off a job site. Not to count the irritation of having to go buy additional supplies and equipment at the start of the day, to do the job.

Security home systems should include

• o Door contacts


• o Indoor siren


• o Motion sensor


• o Control panel


• o Key pad

One company advertising this package is Honeywell Home Security System. Other customers may want to add

• o Monitored smoke alarms
• o Low temperature sensor
• o Glass breaking sensors
• o Carbon monoxide detectors
• o High water sensors

If the builder or owner cannot be on the site 24/7, then this high tech equipment can be there to protect the site and profits and lower costs to build.

Not to mention that there is a 10% profit sharing/ commission offered to builders for these upgrades by the homeowner in 3 months of the purchase of the home.

If it is a remodeling job, there are some steps the owner can take to protect their valuables.

Protect your valuables

If remodeling in an area near where your valuables are kept, then these steps will be the best plan.

• Move items like a jewelry box out of sight. Move the change tray and tie tac out of sight. Never leave your walled in view of curious eyes. Perhaps the answer is a small safe for jewelry, coin collections, is the right choice.
• Protect your building materials such as tubs, fixtures, and appliances. These are on the top of the list since they can be carried off in the truck the workers arrived in. Lock the supplies not being used that particular day - into the garage or basement. Also at the end of the day, put tools and extension cords, saws, miter boxes and so forth, into the garage or shed.
• Make inventory each evening. Check to see if what is left is equal to what has not been used yet. This is difficult if the crew leaves before the owner gets home. Still you will know if something went home with them or someone passing by.
• Do not disconnect your burglar alarm while you are remodeling. It is smarter to cover the sensors with a plastic bag to protect them from sawdust, than for a fire not to be caught in time.
• Hire reputable workers. Make sure the contractor and his employees do not have complaints at the Better Business Bureau.
• Lock out uninvited guests after hours. Chains across the driveway or motion sensors always are cheaper than the loss of all the drywall in the garage etc.
• "Drop in" without notice. Watch to see that nothing misplaced or missing.
• Check your insurance before you begin to remodel. Check for theft insurance, personal injury insurance. No reason to have to pay more than the bid you signed. Injury insurance can help pay for that broken leg the employee got falling into the basement window well.
• Ask your neighbors to watch for strange cars at night, are there trucks being loads hauling off your bathroom fixtures? Do they hear music and signs of a party among the workers? Ask your neighbors to alert the police.

This is how to protect your home building or remodeling project from theft. The keys to remember is consider what are the possibilities.