Workmen and house security

Torry_Quine

theoretica wrote: »

Well, I am not going to get married just so I can leave him in the house for 2-3 weeks watching rewiring and window restoration!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

phill99

PasturesNew wrote: »

but a builder in the house would just have a sneaky look at things because they saw them.... and maybe pocket something as it's small and unnoticeable.

What an absolutely unacceptable thing to say. That is a disgraceful comment. I and every other tradesman on here take real issue with this.

We are not thieves, nor interested in your bank statements or the contents of your bedroom furniture.

Yes there are dodgy builders. But so are there dodgy doctors, accountants, dentists and every other profession. The vast majority of builders are interested in building a decent reputation so they get more work, not whether you wear g strings or thongs.

Your comments are well out of order.

jellie

Definitely speak to previous customers, but then you should do this anyway, regardless of whether the tradesman is having keys to your house or not.

My builder had the keys and the alarm code. I didn't know him personally prior to the work being done, but he is well established locally so had a reputation to protect.

jellie

phill99 wrote: »

What an absolutely unacceptable thing to say. That is a disgraceful comment. I and every other tradesman on here take real issue with this.

We are not thieves, nor interested in your bank statements or the contents of your bedroom furniture.

Yes there are dodgy builders. But so are there dodgy doctors, accountants, dentists and every other profession. The vast majority of builders are interested in building a decent reputation so they get more work, not whether you wear g strings or thongs.

Your comments are well out of order.

I thought this when I first read it and I nearly replied, but I think it's been mis-typed and this has altered the intended message.

That's what I'm hoping because otherwise, it really is a dreadful thing to say.

theoretica

phill99 wrote: »

What an absolutely unacceptable thing to say. That is a disgraceful comment. I and every other tradesman on here take real issue with this.

We are not thieves, nor interested in your bank statements or the contents of your bedroom furniture.

Yes there are dodgy builders. But so are there dodgy doctors, accountants, dentists and every other profession. The vast majority of builders are interested in building a decent reputation so they get more work, not whether you wear g strings or thongs.

Your comments are well out of order.

I didn't read it as a slur on tradesmen, but a point about anyone dodgy wandering around anywhere. As I don't have diamond tiaras left out on my dressing table tradesman will have more to loose if I don't pay their bill than they could easily get by selling my stuff unless they backed a van up to the door. My concerns are mainly uncertainty as to normal practice and emotionally not really liking the idea having never done it before.

LEJC

The majority of workmen have been in hundreds of houses,so its unlikely that they havent seen the personol contents of peoples homes before...

Last year we renovated a property that was 20 miles from home so it was unrealistic for us to be there daily...an in actual fact I think that work progressed better on the days we were not there and they could just get on with it.

I would be very surprised if you've got a reputable firm working for you that you have any problems with them disturbing your personal posessions

A lot depends on the type of work you are having done...but in the case of something like an electrical rewire they will be every where and uncover areas of your house you've not seen for years when they pull up the floorboards!!!

dawn27

I've given keys to trademen before, the electrician who rewired the whole house and a decorator. They were referrals from friends who used them before so i was quite happy to leave them to get on with it without me being under their feet.

cyclonebri1

cattie wrote: »

Is there a neighbour who you could leave keys with as an alternative?

I tend to only use tradesmen that have come recommended & think I'd be wary of leaving keys directly with a tradesperson that didn't come by way of recommendation who I'd never used before.

Very good advice from phill99 as above though regarding speaking to past customers.

What I wouldn't want is the keys to be in the hands of a neighbour who then has access, and then of course gives it to the builder.

Who would you blame if something went wrong?:(

cyclonebri1

jellie wrote: »

I thought this when I first read it and I nearly replied, but I think it's been mis-typed and this has altered the intended message.

That's what I'm hoping because otherwise, it really is a dreadful thing to say.

I'm afraid I disagree. It is valid even if direct or extreme.

I don't think it's as black a picture as that but, the worst possible scenario has to be pointed out to the OP, she then makes the choice or judgement not us.

Yes, builders, teachers, labourers, doctors, there's a kinky 1 in every profession.

I only comment because I know females whose worst fear is the knicker drawer scenario, and please don't ask how I know.

Anyway, if all other options fail and you have to give the key to the builder just do as someone else said and use common sense.
Put stuff away, consider where they will be working and above all state the rules. Toilet access, which rooms they are allowed in and above all, make sure one person realises he is solely responsible for the operation.

I'm pretty sure that given an option every single builder/tradesman or woman would prefer not to have the house keys

broonbear

For years customers have been leaving me their house keys so I can carry out work. If I get a bad name for myself by looking round their house I don't get anymore work. Word of mouth is where most of my work comes from.