Security For Rehabs In Progress?
Hi,
I was wondering what some here have done to make a rehab/vacant building more sure while the project is underway.
I had the unpleasant experience of having a break in at my rehab, even though the building was secure (I thought) Anyway, it would cost about $400 to replace the tools.
Anyone who rehabs have some creative suggestions? Possibly a short term alarm system with police call. Or I thought perhaps I should "stage" the front room with an old lounge chair and table, mabye Pizza box to give it some flair. How about puting an old tv on a timer in an upstairs bedroom to bathe the room in blue tv glow from the outside?. None of this prevents a break in, but would give a much better appearance of someone being there.
Scott
First priority put good locks on the house - deadbolts. The eventual owners will appreciate it and, in the meantime, you will have a bit of security. Secure the entire house - it has to be done eventually - so do it when you can benefit too.
Last rehab, I kept a tool and supply room. The room was in need of the least work and I put a entry lock on the door. I kept it closed at all times. I had lookers coming through and people asking for work, but they never saw all the tools only what was out for a particular job.
Also, I take home the tools that I most love (o;
I think I may have found a portable, solution called LaserShield at LaserShield "."net
Looks like it will work for me.
Scott
Dewalt makes a job site security alarm system for about $1000. It is very customizeable, from motion detector mode to steel lines you can weave through tool triggers that becomes a motion sensing device. It can call you on your cell phone.
A tool trailer is a good option, buy a boot for the wheel, reinforce the doors with steel plates and get an alarm installed on it.
I put in an alarm system and sometimes I leave the system to the new owners at other times I take it on to the next property. . The place will need to have electricity.
It costs me $100 each time I move it.
Hi LinLin,
What brand/service do you use?
thanks,
Scott
I use ADT. For the rentals I leave them in and add the monitoring fee to the rent. For the ones I sell I check the neighbourhood to decide if I leave it in or not. In areas where it seems secure and low crime I remove it and ADT transfers it to a new site
They are the only ones I have found so far with that flexibility. [ Edited by linlin on Date 11/05/2006 ]
Hi LinLin,
Is the ADT product you use a full blown, hardwired system, or something like Home Depot sells for a few hundred?
Scott
It is a wireless system that links to central monitoring with motion sensors for the interior and the door and window sensors.
I had been using the system similar to the ones a Home Depot but the insurance company would not insure the unoccupied buildings anymore without central monitoring. Plus the ADT systems require registering with the local law which is a plus that the smaller systems do not have.
Numerous studies have shown that sellers usually get less for a house w/o a good realtor then with one - even after the RE commission.
I am not a realtor.