An in-between phase

Blackcats

could you get a standard latch gate and put one of those manual keypad thingymajigs on it. The sort of thing you have outside office buildings where you tap in a secret code (well a secret between you and your neighbours). It's not a key safe, it's a key pad that magically releases a latch when you get the code right.
I think my level of technical expertise on thingymajigs and thingymabobs would serve me well on a self build 😂

KajiKita

I think @Blackcats might be meaning one of these …?

There are cheaper options but this looks like a decently weather proof one.

KK

doingitanyway

A nothing Sunday was what you needed

Blackcats

@KajiKita - yes! That's the thing. Glad you could interpret my technical description.

PennysIntoPounds

You have a stinking cold @foxgloves you're supposed to be doing absolutely nothing!

Ha I knew what you meant @Blackcats what with being of similar expert doodahs and wotsfaces level

Aw thank you for looking it up @KajiKita. I will bear that in mind as an option to suggest when this arises again, but really I want the postie to be able to get in and out without it being fort knox

As I said, I do have same security insecurities as her but if anyone was wanting to burgle the houses then they could just climb or break a gate. I hope 🙏 I'm right that there are not that many b*stards in the world, but there are plenty of tired or tipsy men who wouldn't dream of opening someone's gate for a wazz but would wander in if there was no gate not thinking, and cause us to be fearful about an intruder

Also I wonder if putting high security gates on a newly built property sends out the message that there's stuff worth nicking. The most valuable things we own are a cheap laptop and the Le Crudest dish 😂

Also, also, much as I'm a Londoner and don't want anyone coming to my gaff uninvited at all ever, if a neighbour needed help I'd want them to be able to ring on our doorbell rather than us seal ourselves off from our community like we think we're some big ting

It really was @doingitanyway. Feeling a tad guilty and apprehensive about all the things that still need doing, and now more quickly and rammed into a busy week (big client job coming up), but there is a point at which you have to acknowledge that you are heading for mental burnout. We did get a fair few more fittings and fixtures research and decisions done though so hopefully not too far behind. And I put on jeans to take things down to an Olioer so technically I have got dressed today (I was already wearing a top and comfies before anyone asks 😁)

foxgloves

Postie will defo need access when bringing all your competition wins, PiP.

badmemory

My take on this - a gate will keep most people out. I don't have one & next door does. I have had pizza remains put in my bottle bin etc next door never has. So I believe just having the gate will be enough deterrent for most people & locking systems won't keep out the others. Just don't oil the gate!

KajiKita

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81895324#Comment_81895324

We have a return spring on our front gate - makes a very distinctive sound so we always know when someone has used the gate.

KK

PennysIntoPounds

Excellent point @foxgloves 🥂

*researches how to put a creak in a gate * @badmemory @KajiKita 😁

beanielou

I don’t have a gate!