An often overlooked aspect to renovating properties is keeping them safe from thieves. If security isn’t a line item in your budget up front, it’s likely that replacing valuable materials or appliances will be an expense down the road.
Depending on the neighborhood your project is in, there may be more “local interest” from the regulars who drive and walk by the house. Typically areas with lower priced houses or transitioning neighborhoods see more targeted theft activity, but no vacant house under construction is immune.
Some common items of interest for thieves include:
How would losing any of these items impact your budget and schedule for completing the project? Are you taking steps to secure your property? Are your contractors cooperating with it? How will you respond in the event that something is stolen?
Having a proactive security plan can save you $1,000’s in replacement costs and help keep your project on schedule. For this and more information on rehabbing with fewer headaches, check out the book!