Tradespeople Losing Income Due to Theft
10 posts across 5 communities since Jul 2026; 40% from r/Construction.
“They may strip the copper wiring and pipes and sell them for scrap. [re: [Landlord US-CA] how do I get identity thieves out of my property?]”
“Both my vans were broken into early Friday morning and they took all my power tools, it was all Milwaukee. To replace it all is upwards of $6k. Looks like my insurance with cover the damage and stolen property. My question is, is there such a thing as a Milwaukee sales rep or…”
“I replaced three speed squares, four fastbacks, and two 35’ Stanley fat maxes this month and I’m getting pretty fed up with tool theft. This should do the trick.”
Tradespeople, particularly electricians and plumbers, are experiencing significant financial losses due to theft of tools and materials from job sites. This impacts their profitability and requires increased security measures.
SOURCES (10)
“They may strip the copper wiring and pipes and sell them for scrap. [re: [Landlord US-CA] how do I get identity thieves out of my property?]”
“I got my Makita battery and charger jacked the last hour of work on Friday, and realized as I was getting my stuff together to head out. At some point over the weekend someone broke into the storage chest and stole a variety of tools such as a Hiti shotgun, drill, complete tool belt set, backpack ect.(Thankfully my tool bags were in there, everything else comes home with me everyday) I have a very good feeling of who it might be and the funny thing is that dude took all his tools with him on Fri”
“Abandoned factory with old transformers stripped of copper by thieves, causing environmental risks due to oil leakage. submitted by /u/NeutroATerra [link] [comments]”
“Both my vans were broken into early Friday morning and they took all my power tools, it was all Milwaukee. To replace it all is upwards of $6k. Looks like my insurance with cover the damage and stolen property. My question is, is there such a thing as a Milwaukee sales rep or something similar? A better place to purchase all of this that isn’t Home Depot or Amazon. I’m in Los Angeles if that makes a difference. submitted by /u/Matbucha [link] [comments]”
“I replaced three speed squares, four fastbacks, and two 35’ Stanley fat maxes this month and I’m getting pretty fed up with tool theft. This should do the trick. submitted by /u/SkanteGandt [link] [comments]”
“So I own a small business and had some items stolen last night. Aprox value 9k Trailer Mower Grader blade Hand tools My policy has a 2k max per item limit I've never dealt with this before Is there any questions and info I need to bring up/fight with to get the most back and not get more screwed? Police have been notified and a report was made. submitted by /u/Minman857 [link] [comments]”
“Many years ago I built a garage in Denver. As I was installing the overhead door and still couldn’t open it I heard a car pull up and stop in the alley. Then I heard my plastic Dewalt case slide on the cement and a car door slam and tires squeal. All my cordless tools gone. Motherfuckers.”
“I'm doing a rough in for a friend building a custom home in outskirts of a rural town. The property isn't gated yet. I parked a locked up cargo (material) trailer on the backside of the house and left it for a couple of days over a weekend. When I came back the trailer had been ransacked. Oddly enough no power tools got stolen but every piece of copper in that trailer and a good amount of hand tools were stolen. In our contract it stated the GC or the property owner is responsible for si”