A renovation turns a secure house into a work site. Doors are propped open, windows are removed, scaffolding goes up, strangers arrive with keys, and expensive tools and materials sit in the driveway. Thieves notice dumpsters and delivery trucks, and they know that renovation sites are busy by day and empty at night. At the same time, you are hiring crews you may not know well. This guide explains how to protect your home and materials during a renovation: how to plan temporary cameras, how to manage contractor access, how to guard tools and materials, how to handle open walls and doors, what insurance and documentation to arrange and what the costs look like.
This is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Contracts, licensing and insurance requirements vary. Check with your contractor and insurer.
1. The Short Version
| Topic | Approach |
|---|---|
| Cameras | Temporary or permanent cameras on the entrance, driveway and staging area |
| Access | Unique codes or a lockbox, logged and removed at the end |
| Materials | Deliver on schedule; store inside or locked |
| Openings | Temporary doors, locks and covers on open walls |
| Documentation | Photos before, during and after |
| Insurance | Confirm builder's risk and contractor coverage |
| Contract | Say who is responsible for stolen materials |
2. Why Renovation Sites Are Targets
Copper, lumber, appliances, fixtures, power tools and cash-and-carry materials are easy to sell. A site with a dumpster and a pile of materials signals activity. Crews come and go, so unfamiliar faces do not look suspicious. Windows and doors may be temporarily open or unsecured. Neighbors assume the work crew is responsible. Our guide on how burglars choose a target explains how opportunity drives theft.
3. Decide Who Is Responsible
Before work starts, settle in the contract who is responsible for materials on site, tools and the security of the building at night. Many contractors carry insurance for their own tools, while homeowner's insurance may cover materials you purchased once they are on the property, depending on the policy. Ask your agent whether your policy changes when the house is under renovation or vacant, since some policies limit coverage in those cases. Get answers in writing.
4. Cameras for a Work Site
Cameras give you a record of who comes and goes and what is taken. Place a camera on the front entrance, one covering the driveway and staging area, and one on the rear. A temporary system can use wireless or cellular cameras with batteries or solar power if wiring is torn up. A permanent system installed before the work can be protected with temporary covers against dust. Tell the contractor about the cameras and where they are. Do not aim at crew members in a way that could cause disputes; focus on entrances and storage. Our local pages on security camera installation in Brooklyn and home camera installation in Nassau County describe typical setups.
5. Contractor Access
Do not hand out the same key to everyone. Use a smart lock or keypad with a unique code for each contractor and temporary codes for deliveries. A lockbox with a rotating code works too. Keep a log of who has access and when. Remove codes as trades finish. Collect keys at the end of the job and rekey if needed. Our guide on short-term and temporary access codes explains the approach.
6. Tools and Materials
Schedule deliveries for the day they are needed. Store small items, tools and valuable fixtures inside a locked room or a lockable job box. Cover and chain stacked materials. Keep ladders chained or inside. Ask the contractor to take tools home or lock them away each night. Photograph deliveries and keep receipts. Do not stage materials where they can be seen from the street if you can avoid it. Our guide on securing a detached garage and backyard shed covers storage in outbuildings.
7. Open Walls, Doors and Windows
During renovation, openings appear: removed doors, gaps in walls, missing windows, unfinished roofs. Insist on temporary doors with locks, plywood or secure covers over window openings and a locked-up house at night. Make sure the crew checks and locks everything before leaving. Install door and window sensors if the system allows, or use temporary alarm devices. Our guide on securing weak spots lists common entry points.
8. Dumpsters, Scaffolding and Ladders
Dumpsters can be used to climb or to discard stolen items. Place them away from windows when possible, and ask for lids or covers. Scaffolding gives access to upper floors; ask the contractor to secure it, remove ladders at night and light the area. A motion light and a camera aimed at the scaffold help. Check local permit and safety requirements for scaffolds and dumpsters.
9. Lighting and Night Checks
Add motion lights at the staging area and the entrance. Temporary work lights can be put on a timer. Check the site yourself at dusk, or ask a neighbor to watch and call you if they see activity at odd hours. Cameras with alerts for people on site after hours are especially useful. Our guide on lighting for night cameras explains placement.
10. Neighbors
Tell neighbors about the project, the timeline and who to call. They can notice and report unusual activity. Share your contact information and the contractor's. Keep the site tidy to avoid complaints. Good relations also help if noise or parking becomes an issue. If a neighbor has cameras, ask whether they would be willing to preserve footage if something happens.
11. Documentation
Take photos or videos of the property before work starts, at milestones and at the end. Keep records of deliveries, receipts and serial numbers for appliances and tools you own. If something is stolen, immediate documentation helps the police and your insurer. Footage from your cameras can show exactly when and how it happened. The New York State Department of Financial Services publishes consumer information on homeowners insurance at dfs.ny.gov.
12. If the House Is Vacant
Some families move out during renovation. A vacant house is a bigger target and may affect insurance. Notify your insurer, keep utilities on, use timers, have mail forwarded and have someone check the house regularly. Keep cameras online with alerts. In April 2026, according to a May 2026 report on longisland.com, Nassau County police said a North Valley Stream home was burglarized while the family was on vacation, and that investigators found the victim's cameras had been repositioned and covered, internet wiring cut and a signal jammer present. An empty house is a target, and local recording plus offline alerts matter.
13. Common Mistakes
- Giving one key to everyone.
- Leaving tools and materials in view.
- No contract language on theft.
- Not telling the insurer the house is vacant or under renovation.
- Leaving openings unsecured overnight.
- No cameras on the staging area.
- Not collecting keys at the end.
- No photo record.
14. Cost
Planning ranges in 2026: temporary two-camera wireless setup, $500 to $1,500; four-camera permanent system, $1,600 to $3,800; smart lock, $150 to $500; lockbox, $30 to $150; motion lighting, $100 to $500; temporary door sensors, $50 to $200 per opening. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
15. A Second Data Point
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). A renovation changes your own risk, regardless of the citywide trend. Treat the site as a temporary high-risk property.
16. Questions to Ask Your Installer
- Can you install cameras before the work starts?
- What is the best temporary option during demolition?
- How can I give contractors unique access?
- How will you protect equipment from dust?
- What alerts can I get after hours?
- What happens to the system when work ends?
See our local pages for security camera installation in Brooklyn, home camera installation in Nassau County, security camera installation in Jersey City and our services page.
Starting a renovation? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots, and plan for before, during and after.
17. A Hypothetical Project
A Brooklyn family gutting a kitchen and adding a rear extension has a contractor, an electrician and a plumber all working on site. The installer places a doorbell camera, a driveway camera and a rear camera before demolition, with dust covers. The smart lock gets separate codes for each trade. A lockable job box stays in the garage. Windows get plywood covers at night. Deliveries are scheduled, photographed and stored inside. At the end, codes are deleted and the family walks the house with the contractor, photographing the finished work.
18. After the Project
When the work is done, review your locks, codes and cameras. Remove temporary devices and accounts. Reinstall or adjust permanent cameras that were moved. Check new windows and doors for locks. Update your insurer if the home's value or contents changed. Photograph the finished space for your records. A renovation is a good moment to upgrade the security you will live with afterward.
More From Revolvis
Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:
- Keyless entry installation and smart lock installation
- Access control systems and commercial access control
- Video doorbells and intercoms
- Alarm system installation
- Complete unified security
Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.
Areas We Serve
Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.
- Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
- Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
- Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
- The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
- Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
- Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.
The full list is on the service areas page.
Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit
Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:
- The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
- Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
- Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
- How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
- Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.
Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I install cameras before a renovation? Yes if possible, with dust protection. Temporary cameras also work.
How should contractors get in? With unique codes or a lockbox, logged and removed at the end.
Who is responsible for stolen materials? It depends on the contract and insurance. Settle it in writing before work starts.
Does renovation affect my insurance? It can. Tell your agent, especially if the house will be vacant.
What should I do about open walls and windows? Cover and lock them every night.
Can I record contractors? Cover entrances and storage, tell them in advance and avoid audio.
Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.
Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.