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Industry Insight
for Property Owners
Construction Site Theft
$300M–$1B Annual estimated loss. U.S. annual losses from construction site thefts are estimated between $300 million to over $1 billion, depending on the source. WikipediaLVT A specialized 2025 report provides granular figures: -$1 billion lost annually in the U.S. Gitnux Average cost per incident: $2,500 30% of companies experience theft at least once a year Only 13% use security cameras; 25% have on-site security 53% struggle to recover stolen tools or equipment 85% of theft incidents go unreported 60% of thefts involve tools and equipment; copper and metal thefts rose 29% in 5 years. Gitnux
Unoccupied or Vacant Property Theft
Vacant U.S. buildings see an average of 30,200 structure fires annually, costing $710 million in property damage (2016 data). Distinguished Programs Vacant properties frequently suffer thefts of copper wiring, plumbing, piping, appliances—especially when maintenance is neglected.Burns & Wilcox Distinguished Programs Risks are elevated due to loitering, vandalism, and the development of fire hazards where nobody is present. Burns & Wilcoxmiller-insurance.com
Real Estate Crimes
30,000 Real estate professionals experiencing crime-related incidents each year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of violent crimes against real estate professionals is alarmingly higher than in many other professions. In 2023, several notable incidents involved real estate agents who were killed or injured on the job. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that approximately 2% of their 1.5 million members, or around 30,000 agents, were victims of crimes such as attacks, assaults, and robberies while showing properties. In 2020 alone, there were 48 fatal incidents involving real estate professionals in the United States. These figures underscore the industry's need for heightened awareness and preventive measures. These firsthand accounts reveal the frequency and boldness of thefts: “Thieves broke into one of our trucks … while our guy was loading his tools … This isn't limited to just this project … the thieves have become so brazen” Reddit “They ripped my new ecobee right off the wall … they stole all 6 of my locks … stole all my led rope lighting… that was about $1,300 alone.”Reddit These stories underscore how accessible construction and vacant sites are to thieves.
Vacant Property Venerability
National Rental Home Council surveyed owners of single-family rental homes and found: Philadelphia, Baltimore, and D.C. have significant numbers of vacant properties—e.g., Baltimore alone has nearly 13,000 as of early 2025—and these locales are deemed especially vulnerable to squatting, though exact squatting rates are unstated. SiteArmor Solutions Globally, squatting remains widespread, with the UN estimating about 1 billion squatters in informal settlements in 2003—though this mostly reflects informal, low-income housing in developing regions, rather than industrialized-country trends. Wikipedia.
Takeaways and Recommendations
Construction sites face major financial risks due to high-value, easily resellable materials and tools. Unoccupied properties are magnets for theft, vandalism, and accidental damage (fires, leaks). The lack of security is a common denominator—few sites use cameras or security staff. Mitigation strategies include: Installing surveillance cameras and alarms Hiring security personnel or increasing police patrols Securing perimeter fencing and improving lighting Posting visible warning signs Conducting regular inventory audits and threat assessments AMAROK Levelset Distinguished Programs