Query about workmen and keys

chunky_funkster

Hi all

Looking for some advice on the following:

I have a bunch of workmen doing some renovations to my house. Fortunately, I have been able to work from home for the last week and a half while they've been in but they have informed me this afternoon that the work will take another week due to unforseen problems (there have been quite a few).

I can't work from home any more this month and I have no hols left so I am stuck. They have suggested that I leave my house keys with them and they'll let themselves in and out next week but I am not sure that this is a good idea. In fact, it's put me in a bit of a panic if truth be told. They've been good while I've been around but I am a bit worried about checking that the work is being done as agreed if I am not there.

I must confess that this is a new situation for me, never having had anything done to a house before! I have only recently moved into the area so don't know my neighbours yet and have no relatives nearby that could hold the keys and let them in and out.

Am I being silly worrying and should I just give them the keys?

swagman

If you hand over the keys you are unlikely to be covered by your home insurer should there by any damage to the house or its contents, or any theft. Claims generally are unsuccessful unless there has been forced entry.

wallbash

If you let them in and then go out
seems the same as handing over the keys . Only you know ( if only for a short while ) the men .

If you don't hand over the keys , what happens ??

Me! a trusting soul :beer: would give them the keys.

allan673

i would put any valuables in a safe/hidden place???
i dont trust anyone i dont know however nice they seem.

27col

When I was doing house wiring in the distant past, I was always left with keys of houses that I worked in. Maybe it's because I had an honest face. It would have been very difficult to do the job without this facility. I would not have dreamed of looking in drawers or anything like that. If only because I was usually very busy trying to keep up with my schedule. If your workmen have been around for a while, then I would have thought that you might have got their measure by now, as to whether you can trust them.

Canucklehead

Good evening: the OH is usually given a set of keys...he has no interest in rummaging through peep's possessions, reading their post or nicking their valuables but most of his work is through personal recommendation. He is in the customer's home to work not commit petty crimes , trash the place and ruin his hard-earned reputation...trust goes both ways.

HTH

Canucklehead

dander

I completely understand your concern, but I've always been a trusting soul and left my keys with workmen when necessary and never had a problem.

fluffpot

People are always happy to give me their keys (and alarm codes!) and TBH they may get more work done with you out of the house (not being rude, just a fact)

If you're worried, you could get the yale lock changed afterwards - we do this every 5 years or so anyway just to be on the safe side...

Fluff

skiTTish

If you have hired a reputable company ,which i presume you have and not blindly hired cowboys then dont worry!!
No reputable firm is going to risk their whole business by half inching your nik naks !!

rachbc

we gave builders our keys - not in the position of being able to work form home for 6 weeks while loft was converted! Am pretty sure its the 'norm' to do.

john0612

I get keys all the time, the only thing i rummage for is the cups and biscuits but there normally left out lol.

as said above trust goes both ways.