• The Hidden Cost of Equipment Theft

       Building sites are dens of high-value, portable plant—and thieves are aware. In excess of $1 million worth of stolen equipment was seized by Durham Regional Police from an array of building sites during 2023 alone, ranging from excavators and power tools to copper cable. For the majority of contractors, it’s not replacement cost quite so much—it’s project delay, insurance claims, and strained customer relationships as well.

A second incident is that of a Vaughan-based contractor that lost a backhoe and several generators overnight. Without mobile patrol or surveillance, they were not discovered until early morning when staff started coming in for work. The job lost nearly two weeks worth of time and thousands of dollars’ worth of lost productivity.

• Site Vandalism: Silent but Costly

       Apart from theft, construction sites are always under threat of vandalism–broken windows to ransacked scaffolding and warning signs. At one Hamilton-based residential building project in 2022, the work lost some $50,000 in damages due to repetitive trespassing and nighttime vandalism. Such activities not only amount to repair expenses but may even cause an increase in insurance premiums or policy cancellation.

Untended grounds are likely to draw trespassers, vandals, or even protesters. Without the presence of force, a minor incident can quickly get out of hand.

• Liability Risks: Who’s on the Hook After Hours

       If an employee is hurt on your worksite after hours—a trespasser or unauthorized employee—the mere fact that it occurred after hours will not automatically remove your liability. This is particularly so if your property is not sufficiently secured or watched. In Toronto in 2021, there was a case where a youth was hurt after trespassing at an open development site located in the downtown core. The developer was held liable even though there was a fence and postings.

Legal responsibility doesn’t stop when the workday ends—owners and developers are still accountable for site conditions 24/7. Contractors cannot rely on signs alone—active deterrence is key.

• The Value of Overnight Patrols

      This is where GuardsOn Canada Security makes a difference. Our mobile patrol units and on-site guards specialize in protecting construction projects throughout Ontario. From  Ottawa to Mississauga, we’ve partnered with builders to reduce loss and keep schedules on track.

One of our more recent clients—a mid-rise Ottawa condo project—reported no incidents after the deployment of evening patrols with real-time video monitoring. They had a total of more than $80,000 in combined losses from break-in and stolen materials prior to our deployment.

Our trained professionals don’t merely deter crime—but they actively signal risks, intruders, and upkeep problems in real time. It’s security, to be sure, but also peace of mind for developers and site managers.