Would you leave your builders your keys?

MSE_Laura_F

MSE Scarlet recently had work done on her home. She left the builders her key so they could come and go while she was out.

Is this something you do, or very much wouldn't do? And does it make a big difference whereabouts in the UK you live?

JuzaMum

No. We had roofers in last year a saw one of them walk off with one of our tools. We did get it back. 

Carrot007

JuzaMum said:

No. We had roofers in last year a saw one of them walk off with one of our tools. We did get it back. 

And why were you tools anywhere near them? Just asking for confusion!

As to the question. If I wanted the work done. I have cameras around anyway, not that having none would put me off. However having cats I would need to be there which I am mostly anyway.

another_casualty

When I purchased my flat, I managed to find a builder who I trusted . 

In my case, I was renting up the road from where my flat was. I had to get everything sorted within 3 months ( painting, new carpet , furniture , new kitchen and bathroom etc) .
it made sense to give keys to the builder so he could do his business as and when , and I could just leave him to it and check the days he was there just to make sure all was ok etc

If I was having building work done , I'd make sure I was there or someone else was. 

I wouldn't  give builders key otherwise ..

Archie_Duke

If they need indoor access and no one from the home can be there, you’d have to give them keys, surely? Otherwise if they need to leave the site to get materials or simply leave before you come home, then the property would just be left insecure.

FreeBear

Contents insurance would be void. So no, I would never allow builders or any other tradesman to have keys. Would always ensure that someone I trust is on site.

The only exception would be if this were a new (to me) property and is empty of any possessions.

Bendy_House

When we had our extension built two years ago, we gave our trusted builder - a lovely cove - a set of keys. In fact, we let him stay over whenever he wanted, rather than him have to go home every evening, even tho' he lived just down the road. He's done a great job, and loves staying here. I'm hoping he'll let me back at some point.

TELLIT01

I wouldn't allow builders to have keys to my house if it was being lived in.  You generally don't really know them, and you certainly wouldn't know what subbies were in and out of the place.  I had a situation where a conservatory was being built and a specific date had been agreed for electrical work to be done, and I had arranged that day off.  They screwed up on dates and my next door neighbour agree to hold the key and let them in.  He stayed in the property until the work was completed and he locked up at the end.

twopenny

No. But with circumstances considered.
I gave the garden gate key to an exterior decorator who turned out to be a wrongun. First time I've had to fire someone. I just changed the padlocks but if it was to my house and I didn't 100% trust them I'd get the locks changed afterwards.

Jaybee_16

Had builders in to redo three ceilings, take two walls down and put up a wall. The thought of the amount of dust in a 1920 house was not something to consider so I gave the builder a set of keys and I went on holiday. Returned to see the mess and went away for another week. 

Never used them before but having discussions beforehand I trusted them. 

EssexExile

You have to find a builder you can trust otherwise you have to spend all day watching them.