What Homeowners Building Additions Should Know about Home Security

remodeling security

What Homeowners Building Additions Should Know about Home Security

What Homeowners Building Additions Should Know about Home Security

Remember the scene in Lethal Weapon 2 in which Danny Glover is having an addition put onto his house? An intruder got into the addition, planning on giving Glover a hard time. Glover “nailed him” with a nail gun left behind by the contractor. Scenes like this are entertaining when they’re in a movie, but they’re not so funny when they happen to us. We’ve put together a few home security tips for homeowners having additions planned, about to begin or in the works.

From an Intruder’s Perspective

No security company worth its salt will allow potential customers to get by without knowing how intruders see their properties. Protecting lives and property is the credo of all security companies. So most people understand that dark houses, overgrown grass, newspapers and mail piled up is like a movie marquee to an intruder. What most people don’t think of, however, is that a tarp-covered wall, scrap lumber, buckets holding solvent-soaked rags and other construction paraphernalia is just as bright a beacon to an intruder. He’ll snag left-out tools, if that’s the only thing he can grab.

Tip: Have the contractor and his crew clear the decks each day when work is done. Have any buckets of soaking rags removed to avoid combustion and fire. A clean work area discourages intruders and prevents disasters.

An Alarming Perspective

Most homes under remodel have tarp-covered areas, contractors coming and going, and unfinished walls or doors.  Intruders look for such easy signs of opportunity. It is recommended to alert the security company to the situation, so they can install either a new system to include the construction or adapt what you have. Other ideas are the following:

  • No one up to nefarious tricks wants to be in the spotlight. Placing lighting around the property gives intruders the shivers.
  • Motion sensors on spotlights do the same.
  • Security cameras at strategic points on the property are other innovations alarm companies use to protect your property during a home renovation. Notices that the premises are monitored will also scare intruders away.

Tip:  Temporary fencing and gates across the drive will give intruders a harder time getting into your property. 

From an Insurance Perspective

Insurance usually doesn’t cover home additions. The contractor should carry insurance and worker’s comp on himself and his crew. In order to have insurance cover your valuables, you must create circumstances in which they are secured. In other words, if an intruder gets under the tarp and makes off with the plasma screen TV and the jewelry, then you’re messed over. Putting your valuables in a secured storage facility, though, shows the responsibility insurance companies need to see. Before the first brick is taken out of a wall in order to put on an addition, secure your valuables.

Tip:  Intruders can carry off a small enough safe. They also know about the “vent” and “painting” safes. Make sure yours is heavy enough to give the intruder a hernia if he tries to lift it. Use storage units for larger items.

From a Contractor’s Perspective

Most contractors are good people doing a decent job. There’s that one, though, that smiles and talks to everyone in order that people remember him when the time comes for a job. Intruders with clipboards, looking ever so official, love these guys, because they get addresses.

Contractors don’t always do background checks on their subcontractors due to press of business. It only takes one guy, posing as a subcontractor with a hardhat and a tool belt, to be the fly in the soup. The contractor has dozens of things on his mind all at the same time, so doing background checks aren’t high on his list of things to do right now.

You, on the other hand, do have the time. It’s your house, your renovation, your property and important things that are at stake. You will make the time to make sure everyone involved is entirely above-board and legitimate. Not only that, no contractor will mind being checked out; his reputation is at stake. He wants you to find him clean and of good repute.

When you contact us for information on security matters during home renovations, remodels, or additions, we promise to grab the nail gun like Danny Glover’s contractor left lying around. We don’t want to get nailed. 

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