Would you leave your builders your keys?

Rambosmum

Yes. 

We've had a very large extension, taken over a year - couldn't take that much time off work! 

Got specialist insurance for it.

scottishblondie

A tradesman that I was unfamiliar with absolutely not. My trusted builders, yes. We went away for a 3 day holiday mid build last year, and left them the keys. But they’ve done a lot of work for us and other family members and treated our homes with respect. They didn’t have any subcontractors involved so I wasn’t concerned. 

pinkteapot

fenwick458 said:

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?

Exactly what I came here to say. Filching a few bits they can flog for £100 on Facebook pales in comparison to what good tradespeople earn, and they only do well because of their reputation which would be in tatters if they were thieving. 

Do all those people who say 'no' to giving them keys also spend the whole day watching the trades in case they pocket something?

kimwp

MarcMCFC1986 said:

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.

Not a good idea, cats are notorious with piles of cash. I once left mine with a ten pound note and when I got back from work, she was walking around with a tiny crocodile skin handbag and the cash was nowhere to be seen.

mr_stripey

scottishblondie said:

A tradesman that I was unfamiliar with absolutely not. My trusted builders, yes. We went away for a 3 day holiday mid build last year, and left them the keys. But they’ve done a lot of work for us and other family members and treated our homes with respect. They didn’t have any subcontractors involved so I wasn’t concerned. 

I think this is it really. I live in a small town where most of the local tradespeople are know to everyone and I'd have no problem letting them have the run of the place. Like you, my builder has done work for me whilst we went on holiday which was great - he could crack on with the job and we weren't disrupted.

On the other hand my mate who is a plumber says he doesn't like it when customers he doesn't know leave him alone in the house as people have accused him in the past of stealing things (only later to find them)!

kateryan

God no - dont think insurance would cover them or you.

plumb1_2

I have got 2 sets of keys and alarm codes from home holders who are are away on holiday at the moment, as they prefer me to carry out the work while they are away.

I once was let into a property by the noisy neighbour next door, leaking overflow pipe in the loft.
I set the steps up and claimed into the loft to check the issue out, cws or heating tank.
Unbeknown to me he was stood behind me in the loft, thinking to myself I need my spare washer box and location of service valve. I turned around and knocked the guy flying, what the F .
I got down from the loft and when I saw his legs hanging down through the ceiling, sorry to say I had a 5 minute laughing fit, especially when he was calling out for his wife next door oh Mavis oh Mavis.
I knocked on next door explaining what happened and left um to it.And then phoned the customer.

Sistergold

I have done and will have to especially if it’s work which is going to take weeks to months. Will I now babysit them? I will probably get bored after a few days? 

daivid

So far the only trades I've had in have been friends/family friends so I've left keys if at work. If someone is doing work on your home (especially gas or electric) the biggest trust issue IMO is that the do it right and don't create a death trap, I'm not worrying about my change pot. I am considering an extension which would be a much bigger and longer job than anything previous, and don't know anyone for that type of job. I would still leave a key but may change the lock when done for piece of mind. Not knowing who the key had been passed round to (assistants, subcontractors…) would bug me, a bit like changing the lock in a new house when there is most likely no need.

I_Love_comps

No I would not give the keys to a tradesperson who I did not know.