Rehabbers and Flippers

A house under renovation is empty most of the day and all of the night, and it fills up with tools, new appliances, fixtures, wire and lumber. Travelers notes that materials and equipment are often delivered well before a building is closed in (its walls, roof, windows and doors in place), that stolen materials can be turned into cash quickly, and that the risk goes on long after the workday ends.

Check the insurance first

• Liberty Mutual says many homeowners policies won’t cover theft while a home is considered “under construction,” and may have lower limits for building materials.
• The Insurance Information Institute says many standard policies exclude or limit theft and vandalism once a home is deemed vacant, and names renovation as one reason a home sits empty.
• Builder’s risk insurance is a policy made for buildings under construction. Triple-I suggests calling your insurance agent before, or soon after, work begins.

Jobsite habits that help

• At the end of every day, lock every window and every other door with its own hardware, which must still open from inside.
• Keep high-value deliveries close to install day, and out of sight from the street.
• Keep the yard tidy and lights on timers so the house doesn’t look abandoned.
• Track every key and lockbox code: Keys, Lockboxes and Access.
• Check the frame, strike plate and hinges: How to Strengthen an Entry Door.