Would you leave your builders your keys?

spo2

I agree with Doozer in that if I didn't trust them not to steal from me, then I wouldn't trust them to do work to my house.
It always surprises me when people limit tradesmen's access to their houses when they are getting work done (especially outside work). If they're there for a full day, and don't have access to your bathroom, where do you think they're doing it?

MaryNB

My kitchen fitter has had the keys to my house for 2 weeks while I'm working at an office. I could WFH but it's a very small house and he needs most of the living space to work. I can barely move due to all the boxes. It would be difficult for me to be on calls with client and noise going on in the background. He did work for my colleague and came highly recommended and he did a few days of work for me before. If it was someone who didn't come with a recommendation from someone I knew I'd be a bit more hesitant. 

There's nothing really worth stealing in my house - no cash and the only valuables are my phone and work laptop, both of which are with me. 

If they're doing small jobs and only in for half a day or so I'll WFH but it would have been a headache if I was WFH the last two weeks.

fenwick458

from a tradesman's point of view.. what does the homeowner think a tradesman is likely to steal or do that's really worth it for them? I earn a decent wage from being allowed work in peoples homes all day, most of the time they are out. If I were to steal something, word would get out eventually, and I wouldn't be able to get work anymore or make that money, so that's obviously a big loss and I wouldn't even consider it. so what one item is worth stealing that's worth more than the job/career?
where I'm from it's a small town so everybody knows everybody and If I didn't have a good reputation I would be screwed so that's my point of view. I agree with the theory that if you can't trust them then don't hire them, but also It's hard to know who to trust if you live in a big city for example.
thinks I can think of that should make it more likely for a homeowner to give up their keys to a tradesperson and trust them:
-knowing them, having met them more than once is even a start
-recommendations from people you know
-having received a written quote with all their details prior to work commencing.   if they have given you their name and address before and you've verified that they are a reputable company what are the chances of them trying to rip you off an disappear?

and then on the other side; if the person you are considering leaving you keys to in completely unknown to you or anyone you know, and they didn't give you a written quote and turn up in a unmarked white van or a car/taxi, and have never given you their name and address or company details, then don't give them your keys! 

Sebi_895

I've used a number of trades folk now for work in my house whilst we were at work (pre Covid days, mind them?) left keys with them and I found them to be very trustworthy indeed. Of course you always have reservations but with many trades folk their reputation matters and the last thing they want is someone reporting them as thieves. Maybe ask for references to be sure or have a quiet word stating I'm trusting you with my keys so don't let me down!

newatc

We have done this on a few occasions over the years and have never had a problem although we had already used the individuals before and had established a degree of trust.

Eldi_Dos

Being retired I quite often act as a keyholder if any of the younger members of the family are having work done and get the impression that trades people prefer that, having not to worry about making property secure and getting keys back to homeowner makes things easier for them.
One thing I have observed some of the younger lads on the job's have quite lax attitudes to security, wandering out to van on some pretext and then spend time checking their social media while front door is open and more mature trades people are getting on with job. If I was to give keys and access to people I would make a point of passing keys to more mature member of crew and set a few ground rules about security so that some passing scallywag cannot sneak in unseen.

MalMonroe

No.

And not because I'm afeared of theft but because somehow some men just cannot or do not think. (I know there are some women builders but they're not where I live and there are not enough of them, imho.)

Last time I gave out my keys and let builders loose in my flat while I was out working to earn enough money to pay their bill, they absolutely ruined the carpets, which then had to be replaced - they were insured (and so was I but why use my insurance for it?) - but the whole thing was a great big inconvenient fiasco and added more time to the actual work that had to be done. They were sorry ('oops, sorry love') yes but that didn't solve the problem.

Great big wet muddy boots and my light coloured carpets did not mix well. (Where were the dust sheets??) And I learned my lesson the hard way.

But if people don't feel safe leaving keys with builders, that's no big deal. Is it? Not everyone is to be trusted with house keys. Really.

greenface2

I have recently had my plumber change a radiator in my hallway . opened the door for him and then left him to it to crack on while I went to work . Left him a key . End of day we met up he did the rad as expected . I forgot he needed to bleed the rads in all rooms and rebalance all the system . All was well . he remimded me of the mon££y I left on the bed . My very large watch collection and Mrs greenfaces jewellery . Not the best thing to leave lying around but I trust him to just do what he is there for . The job I am on has a whiskey jar full of £1 & £2 coins . must be 500 . expensive records / rings and bits . She locked away things that are data protected ( manager of care company) because she was conditioned to do so but the rest wasn't an issue to her and us . I also trust my lads too . I have too

PollyWollyDoodle

What on earth do you do while they are doing the building work – huddle in one room with your hands over your ears? I’m currently getting quotes for a new kitchen and bathroom, I think I will have to move out for a few days until the bathroom is done.  I work from home, and it’s going to be impossible for me to do this while there is building work in the next room and work often involves me going out for several hours. 

I’m only getting quotes from firms that have been recommended to me.  As others have said, if you trust them enough to do the work, then surely you can trust them with your keys. 

MarcMCFC1986

Carrot007 said:

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.

Does it matter? They should be allowed to leave a pile of cash on the window sill, and it be safe.