8th June, 2023

As a tradesman, such as a builder, plumber, or electrician, there’s no doubt that your work tools are an incredibly important part of your trade - without them you could be left unable to work and therefore out of pocket.

According to the Tradespeople Against Tool Theft white paper, it’s estimated that around 78% of UK tradespeople had their tools stolen at one point or another in 2022, costing them an average of £4,470 and a staggering £2.8 billion for the industry as a whole.

The paper also found that one in 10 had to take time off work or decline any new contracts due to not having the tools needed to complete the job, resulting in a loss of earnings.

Sadly, those who are self-employed are found to be 38% more likely to experience tool theft as they often store their tools within their own home, sometimes even inside their van parked on the driveway.

So, what can you do to help keep your tools safe?

First things first, don’t store them in your van - it’s estimated that a van is broken into every 23 minutes, which is approximately 23,000 each year. It’s often easier for thieves to break into your van – especially at night - than it is your house or a storage facility, as you’re less likely to be inside it at the time.

Thieves may break into your van even if they just see a bag that looks as though it has tools in it, and even if they’re unsuccessful in stealing anything there will still be damage to the vehicle that will cost you both time and money to fix.

Instead of storing your tools in a van, store them in your garage or another property such as a storage locker or warehouse. Breaking into a property is often more difficult and time consuming (given that the property is sufficiently secured) than breaking into a vehicle, and if it’s a business property such as a warehouse then it’s likely to have CCTV.

It’s also a good idea to invest in a good quality alarm system for wherever your tools are stored, including the likes of cameras, a loud alarm and motion sensor lighting. Not only should you invest in this, but make sure your thieves are aware through the use of things like warning posters and stickers – it might not stop them if they’re really determined, but for the most part it will act as a deterrent. Plus, if you make an insurance claim for tool theft then the insurer may refuse to pay out if you didn’t adequately secure your tools in the first place.

On the note of being properly secure, don’t leave your tools unattended in public. Be sure to always have sight of anything valuable that you don’t want stolen, and if that isn’t possible for whatever reason then lock the valuables away. Remember that if you can’t see your tools whilst in public, then a thief shouldn’t be able to see them either.

Whilst investing in security, consider also getting a GPS tracking device for your tools so that if they are stolen then you can try to follow their location. Also keep your tools inside a good quality tools box, whether it’s kept inside a van or property.

Tools are often stolen to be sold on and make the thief money, especially because many tradesmen will look to purchase their tools second-hand as they are cheaper. So, perhaps take a couple of extra minutes to write or scratch your name or initials into your tools. That way, if they are stolen and later potentially found, you’ll be able to identify whether they are in fact yours or not.

All of the above are great ways to try and prevent your tools from being stolen, but sometimes the worst will happen anyway. So, as an extra level of protection you may want to consider Tools in Transit cover, which could provide you with a financial pay-out in the event that your tools are accidentally damaged or stolen whilst being loaded, transported, or unloaded from your van.

Nobody wants to be left without the necessary tools to work and earn an income, so taking a few extra precautions now will undoubtedly save you a headache later down the line.


Written by: Shannan Errington

*Please note that the above information has been gathered through secondary research. The information provided is not based on our opinion. You should seek further guidance and information before making an informed decision.

Sources
https://www.installeronline.co.uk/four-in-five-tradespeople-experience-tool-theft-at-an-estimated-2-8-billion-cost-to-the-industry/
https://buy.vanmate.co/blogs/news/listen-up-van-owners