GITNUXREPORT 2025

Construction Site Theft Statistics

Enhanced security measures significantly cut construction site theft and losses.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Construction site theft accounts for approximately $1 billion in losses annually in the U.S.

Statistic 2

Construction theft can cause project delays that cost an average of $10,000 per day

Statistic 3

About 53% of theft victims reported difficulty in recovering stolen tools or equipment

Statistic 4

The average cost of replacing stolen tools and materials is approximately $2,500 per incident

Statistic 5

Only about 13% of construction companies use security cameras on-site

Statistic 6

Only 25% of construction companies have a dedicated security team on-site

Statistic 7

Use of smart locks and biometric access controls has increased by 40% in the last three years among construction firms

Statistic 8

GPS tracking on equipment reduces theft risk by 80%

Statistic 9

22% of construction companies are considering investment in anti-theft devices within the next year

Statistic 10

Nearly 60% of construction sites do not have any security alarm systems installed

Statistic 11

Construction workers aware of security measures are 28% less likely to become victims of theft

Statistic 12

Over 30% of construction companies report experiencing theft on their sites at least once a year

Statistic 13

Tools and equipment theft makes up about 60% of all construction site thefts

Statistic 14

85% of construction site thefts go unreported to authorities

Statistic 15

The use of surveillance cameras can reduce theft incidents by up to 50%

Statistic 16

Construction site theft peaks during weekends and overnight hours

Statistic 17

About 70% of thefts occur at night when sites are less monitored

Statistic 18

Theft of copper and metal materials from construction sites has increased by 29% over the past five years

Statistic 19

60% of construction companies report increased theft incidents during supply chain disruptions

Statistic 20

Implementing perimeter fencing can decrease theft incidents by up to 75%

Statistic 21

42% of construction sites lack sufficient lighting, which contributes to increased theft risk

Statistic 22

About 67% of theft incidents involve criminal organizations rather than opportunistic thieves

Statistic 23

Theft of scaffolding and temporary fencing accounts for about 15% of total construction site thefts

Statistic 24

The presence of security personnel on site has been shown to reduce theft by 66%

Statistic 25

55% of thefts happen at sites that lack proper signage indicating surveillance or security measures

Statistic 26

Approximately 40% of thefts occur during initial site setup or before the site is fully secured

Statistic 27

Construction companies that employ regular inventory audits report 30% fewer theft incidents

Statistic 28

The cost of insurance claims for theft-related damages in construction reached over $200 million annually worldwide

Statistic 29

Implementing access control systems lowers theft incidents by approximately 37%

Statistic 30

Construction sites with visible warning signs about surveillance are 42% less likely to experience theft

Statistic 31

78% of thefts occur in urban and suburban construction areas compared to rural sites

Statistic 32

50% of thefts are committed by internal personnel, such as employees or subcontractors

Statistic 33

Companies investing in security training for staff see a 33% reduction in theft incidents

Statistic 34

Theft incidents tend to decrease with the use of better site planning and scheduling, by around 20%

Statistic 35

The total number of reported construction theft incidents in the U.S. decreased by 15% from 2019 to 2022, indicating some improvement in security measures

Statistic 36

The most targeted items in construction theft are power tools (41%), followed by hand tools (23%), and small equipment (15%)

Statistic 37

The average value of tools stolen from a construction site is approximately $1,070 per incident

Statistic 38

The average recovery rate for stolen construction tools is approximately 15%, indicating most stolen items are not recovered

Statistic 39

Theft of high-value machinery like cranes and bulldozers is less common but can cost up to $1 million per incident

Slide 1 of 39

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Construction site theft accounts for approximately $1 billion in losses annually in the U.S.
Over 30% of construction companies report experiencing theft on their sites at least once a year
Tools and equipment theft makes up about 60% of all construction site thefts
The most targeted items in construction theft are power tools (41%), followed by hand tools (23%), and small equipment (15%)
The average value of tools stolen from a construction site is approximately $1,070 per incident
85% of construction site thefts go unreported to authorities
Only about 13% of construction companies use security cameras on-site
The use of surveillance cameras can reduce theft incidents by up to 50%
Construction site theft peaks during weekends and overnight hours
About 70% of thefts occur at night when sites are less monitored
Theft of copper and metal materials from construction sites has increased by 29% over the past five years
Construction theft can cause project delays that cost an average of $10,000 per day
Only 25% of construction companies have a dedicated security team on-site

Construction site theft costs the U.S. government and private companies over $1 billion annually, with more than 30% of firms experiencing at least one theft each year—highlighting an urgent need for smarter security measures to protect valuable tools, equipment, and materials.

Impact of Construction Theft on Projects and Costs

Construction site theft accounts for approximately $1 billion in losses annually in the U.S.
Construction theft can cause project delays that cost an average of $10,000 per day
About 53% of theft victims reported difficulty in recovering stolen tools or equipment
The average cost of replacing stolen tools and materials is approximately $2,500 per incident

Impact of Construction Theft on Projects and Costs Interpretation

Construction site theft, siphoning off a staggering $1 billion annually and delaying projects by $10,000 a day, underscores the urgent need for tougher security measures given that over half of victims struggle to recover stolen tools, averaging $2,500 per loss.

Security Measures and Technology Adoption

Only about 13% of construction companies use security cameras on-site
Only 25% of construction companies have a dedicated security team on-site
Use of smart locks and biometric access controls has increased by 40% in the last three years among construction firms
GPS tracking on equipment reduces theft risk by 80%
22% of construction companies are considering investment in anti-theft devices within the next year
Nearly 60% of construction sites do not have any security alarm systems installed
Construction workers aware of security measures are 28% less likely to become victims of theft

Security Measures and Technology Adoption Interpretation

Despite the rising adoption of advanced security measures like biometric access and GPS tracking, the stark reality remains that over half of construction sites lack basic alarm systems, highlighting a pressing need for more comprehensive and widespread security strategies to protect valuable assets.

Theft Incidence and Prevention Trends

Over 30% of construction companies report experiencing theft on their sites at least once a year
Tools and equipment theft makes up about 60% of all construction site thefts
85% of construction site thefts go unreported to authorities
The use of surveillance cameras can reduce theft incidents by up to 50%
Construction site theft peaks during weekends and overnight hours
About 70% of thefts occur at night when sites are less monitored
Theft of copper and metal materials from construction sites has increased by 29% over the past five years
60% of construction companies report increased theft incidents during supply chain disruptions
Implementing perimeter fencing can decrease theft incidents by up to 75%
42% of construction sites lack sufficient lighting, which contributes to increased theft risk
About 67% of theft incidents involve criminal organizations rather than opportunistic thieves
Theft of scaffolding and temporary fencing accounts for about 15% of total construction site thefts
The presence of security personnel on site has been shown to reduce theft by 66%
55% of thefts happen at sites that lack proper signage indicating surveillance or security measures
Approximately 40% of thefts occur during initial site setup or before the site is fully secured
Construction companies that employ regular inventory audits report 30% fewer theft incidents
The cost of insurance claims for theft-related damages in construction reached over $200 million annually worldwide
Implementing access control systems lowers theft incidents by approximately 37%
Construction sites with visible warning signs about surveillance are 42% less likely to experience theft
78% of thefts occur in urban and suburban construction areas compared to rural sites
50% of thefts are committed by internal personnel, such as employees or subcontractors
Companies investing in security training for staff see a 33% reduction in theft incidents
Theft incidents tend to decrease with the use of better site planning and scheduling, by around 20%
The total number of reported construction theft incidents in the U.S. decreased by 15% from 2019 to 2022, indicating some improvement in security measures

Theft Incidence and Prevention Trends Interpretation

Given that over 30% of construction firms face annual thefts—mainly at night and on weekends—yet 85% of these crimes go unreported and most involve organized crime stealing tools, copper, and fencing, implementing visible surveillance and robust security measures remains our best blueprint to reduce thefts by up to 75%, even as thieves exploit poorly lit sites and weak perimeter defenses.

Types and Value of Stolen Items

The most targeted items in construction theft are power tools (41%), followed by hand tools (23%), and small equipment (15%)
The average value of tools stolen from a construction site is approximately $1,070 per incident
The average recovery rate for stolen construction tools is approximately 15%, indicating most stolen items are not recovered
Theft of high-value machinery like cranes and bulldozers is less common but can cost up to $1 million per incident

Types and Value of Stolen Items Interpretation

Construction theft statistics reveal a tools' paradise for criminals, with power tools and hand tools often stolen for pocket change, yet the rare high-value machinery thefts threaten billion-dollar projects, underscoring the urgent need for construction site security.