Query about workmen and keys

suisidevw

Yup, we've given keys out before to leccies et al. No probs.

chunky_funkster

Thanks all for your input.

It's not that I think they are going to go rummaging (most of my posessions are still in storage after my move 3 weeks ago so there's not much to rummage about in) but more that I like to check everything is being done properly and giving them carte blanche to come and go at will worries me a tad in terms of things not getting done. We've had a few issues this week that have caused the overrun and that's why I am being a wimp.

Anyway, I've decided that they can have a key but that I will pop home at lunch to check up on things.

Cheers all :beer:

Des.

chunky_funkster

Canucklehead wrote: »

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

Sorry - I wasn't suggesting that they - or anyone else - were going to commit crimes or trash the place so how you arrived at that conclusion who knows. If you read my message again you'll see that I was worried about things not being done properly if I handed over a key and left them to it, as opposed to them stealing my valuables. I actually said -

'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'll leave it there tho. I've made my decision and I'm out to choose paint now.

Cheers,

Des.

chunky_funkster

skiTTish wrote: »

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 !!

I didn't hire 'em. They are subcontractors sent in by my builder while he does another job. You live and learn.

Cheers,

Des.

Rockporkchop

chunky_funkster wrote: »

I didn't hire 'em. They are subcontractors sent in by my builder while he does another job. You live and learn.

Oh dear. :mad: That wouldn't inspire me with confidence I'm afraid.

I hate leaving keys with tradesmen, or leaving them unattended. They never work as hard when you are out of the house.

We had someone in recently to repair our ceiling. I left him to it but returned ten mins later as I had forgotten the changing bag. I found him stretched out on my sofa doing The Sun crossword and eating toast.

I would definitely pop back unexpectedly OP, as often as you can.

elfen

If they were subcontracted by your builder, surely he knows them, and knows they have a good reputation? Most, if not all the private work my OH and his mates get (all are in some form of construction/building work) is through word of mouth either by each other or by other people. OH has been offered 2 other jobs on this, which he has kept in mind especially with his boss laying off over half the company. And anyone who did mess about soon left their circle, and they usually recommend within it.

In a time like this, is it likely the builders would try to risk their reputations?

dacouch

swagman wrote: »

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.

This is not that correct, most policies do not contain a wording that they only pay claims if there are signs of a violent or forcible entry.

Some policies do contain a requirement that you have to have certain door and window locks, if there is this type of wording on your policy then depending on the circumstances of any theft if you leave the keys with the workmen then they may or may not pay the claim.

Policies do contain an exclusion that they will not pay out if you have been "Reckless". In effect this means the Insurers would expect you to behave as if you do not have Insurance on the home. With regard to giving keys to workmen if it went to the Ombudsman following a theft claim being denied they would look at the policy wording and the circumnstances. If it was a builder that had gained the work by simply knocking on your door and you only had a mobile number this might be looked at as being "Reckless" if it was an established company and you had taken measures to ensure they are bonafide then it might not be regarded as "Reckless".

If you do leave the keys with the Builders it would be sensible to change the locks after the building work has been carried out.

A better solution might be to leave the key with a neighboor who unlocks the doors, pop in at regular intervals to check on them and then lock the house up when they leave.

The best thing for you to do would be to check with your Insurer, if they confirm you are covered it is best to ask for it in writing in case of any arguements at a later date or at the very least take a note of the persons name and the date / time of the call. Beaware that a lot of call centre staff do not fully understand the policies their company offers so may automatically tell you its not covered without realising it is so it might be worth speaking to a superviser

Damage caused by tradesmen is generally excluded by Home Policies anyway irrespective of whether the builders have the keys or not.

Canucklehead

Rockporkchop wrote: »

I hate leaving keys with tradesmen, or leaving them unattended. They never work as hard when you are out of the house
.

Good evening: if a customer has contracted the services of a tradesperson on a per job basis i.e. fixed price quote for the job of what benefit would it be to that tradesperson to slack off when you're not in the property Their time is their money not yours on fixed quote.

Canucklehead

Canucklehead

chunky_funkster wrote: »

Sorry - I wasn't suggesting that they - or anyone else - were going to commit crimes or trash the place so how you arrived at that conclusion who knows. If you read my message again you'll see that I was worried about things not being done properly if I handed over a key and left them to it, as opposed to them stealing my valuables. I actually said -

'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'll leave it there tho. I've made my decision and I'm out to choose paint now.

Cheers,

Des.

Good evening: I don't have a problem with my reading comprehension. My comments are not directed at you as an individual. Tbh.. it is often in the back of a tradeperson's mind whether he or she is going to 'ripped off' by a rogue customer (or a rogue builder when subcontracting)..it has happened a few to my OH a few times during his 30+ years in plumbing and heating...hence my comment about trust being a two way street. His standards don't change...all the work he does meets or exceeds Building Regs requirements. The problem is the cheapest price is the bottom line for some potential clients and personal recommendation is much further down the list

Consumers and trades need to protect their interests.

HTH

Canucklehead

borders_dude

Im a caretaker in a block of flats.

If some of the council tenants cant be in for a repair man they often leave keys with me. Thats because they trust me to supervise the repair men, delivery man etc; they trust me to let him in, keep and eye on him etc.

I wouldnt advise any of my residents to hand over their keys to workmen!!

I wouldnt want a stranger in my house all alone!