Tastes and preferences for a property are subjective. You might want to change the appearance of your home occasionally. You could be extending a wall or expanding the kitchen. It means the remodeling contractors will have to open up your home and maybe take some of your belongings outside. Doing this will attract the burglars’ attention, but there are steps you can take to secure your property during the renovation period.
Subject the Contractor to a Background Check
Conducting an official background check might be expensive and time-consuming, but there are other ways more straightforward ways to ascertain the contractor’s credibility.
- Nothing beats an objective opinion of the contractor from friends and family. Ask them to refer to you a contractor they have worked with or one whose work they witnessed. When someone takes time to tell the story of a certain contractor, then you can be sure that the home remodeling contractor is qualified.
- Almost every professional these days is part of an association. Ask them which association they are registered with and request to see their documentation. These associations vet the professionals and are always ready to help if you have a work conflict with their members.
- A contractor is only as good as their team. Ensure their employees are capable and trustworthy. You can do this by looking through their employment process. A look at the equipment they use is also essential. They should have equipment like scaffolding, and if they do not, the contractor should refer you to a supplier with scaffolding for sale.
- The contractor should be at the forefront in protecting your property. They should be in a position to provide you with detailed plans on how they will secure your home.
Store the Most Valuable Items
Some renovations require that you bring down walls. Doing this exposes your property to thieves even more. However, there are ways to keep the items out of reach:
- If you have small and high-value items or cash, you should consider using a safe.
- If your house has a security-locked door in an area not affected by the renovation, you can move your items there.
- Items like expensive furniture and electronics cannot be stored in a safe or small lockable room. You will need to rent storage space or have a friend keep them for you.
Utilize Your Security System
If you have a security system in place, this is the best time to maximize it. However, demolition might interfere with the system. Therefore, you might need to have your security services provider rewire it to accommodate the ongoing construction. There are several security tips you can utilize:
- Consider installing motion sensors around the compound. Burglars cannot stand the attention that comes with triggering a motion detector.
- Some renovations require that you cut the power. By doing this, you will render the security system useless unless it has a backup power supply. You should let your security consultant install one in your compound just in case.
- Security cameras can also be beneficial in renovation sites. They not only catch burglars but also employees who might get tempted to steal client property.
Clear the Area After Work
The first stage in burglary is the thief learning about the existence of the items. When they cannot see it, they most likely will not come for it. You can ensure that the team clears the compound of any items that might attract attention after each day’s work. Talk it out with your contractor and make it a requirement. The items can be stored in a safe store or another location close to the site.
Ensure the Place Is Well Lit During the Night
A thief will most likely target dimly lit compounds for fear of detection. You should ensure the contractor installs bright lights all over the compound. To save on power costs, you can choose to install power sensor lights instead. They will light up upon detection of movement.
Remodeling is an opportunity to make your living space more appealing and also an opportunity for an intruder to break into your home. However, the list above should put you in a better position to secure your home during remodeling.
