JACKSON COUNTY, W.Va (WSAZ) -- Contractors are getting hammered, and we're not just talking about the higher cost of materials.

Throughout our region, theft is now a big problem on work sites and sometimes in their own backyards.

A company in Jackson County, West Virginia recently had about $70-thousand dollars worth of equipment stolen off of their lot, but its how that equipment was taken that's making it even tougher to bear.

The thieves stole a truck and trailer from Pete Gould and Sons, then used it to get away with several other pieces of equipment.

Mike Clowser with the Construction Association of West Virginia says equipment theft, and theft from job sites is on the rise because of the high price thieves can get for the materials.

Clowser said many contractors are now hiring security companies and installing surveillance cameras.