Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

I was wondering if most people leave workmen in their houses while they go out?

I don't like to leave them on their own, but I also hate being stuck in the house!!

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

Never.

They just had something on the news tonight about cable installers having criminal records. They are often not checked because they are sub-contracted out by the cable company. One woman was murdered and another brutally raped and they were home.

No more people in my house unless both DH and I are home.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

well we never have hired people since my DH does everything.
If we have the oil burner guy or cable guy, I stay home because its usually just a quick thing.
If you are having renovations done your contractor is probably licensed, insured & bonded(my DH is) so if they are going to be there a lot, I'd leave them.
My DH has done work in homes that he & his workers are left alone in for months.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

I have for flooring and larger jobs, but not small repairs.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

For small repairs, NO WAY

If it is a big job, Yes

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

We just had our walls plastered and we left them for about 4 days on their own, but we locked up most of our valuables.

I think things are slightly different in the UK, Rach. UK builders are more interested in tea than anything else!!! Plus, we only use builders who have been recommended to us by someone we know well.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

We know our contractor, so we have left him.


I don't like being alone with people I don't know though either. and I hATE paying them!

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

Yes - we leave our construction crew, painters and floor people in our house alone. However, they all work for a family member so I completely trust them. Usually I lock up my valuables though.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

never

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

We have only left this guy John who is the families contractor. He did our backsplash. He has been doing work for the family for years....

When I had my deck done and front door installed I was home....We had another company do the work
scott

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

Posted by usuk2004

We just had our walls plastered and we left them for about 4 days on their own, but we locked up most of our valuables.

I think things are slightly different in the UK, Rach. UK builders are more interested in tea than anything else!!! Plus, we only use builders who have been recommended to us by someone we know well.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

yes, when we first moved in we had some of the rooms painted, the walls fixed and some electrical work done. It took about a week and we knew them from where we lived before. They were our neighbors.

Otherwise, no way Jose

Message edited 11/9/2006 1:57:13 PM.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

Yes, for 2 days our shower was being re-tiled. They were employed by my landlord's contracting company though, and he confirmed he'd take responsibility for any damage or missing items.

I also left a piece of paper on the top of my bedroom door and office door so I would know if they were opened while we were gone. They weren't.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

Yes, because my uncle is a contractor and we used his company to renovate our entire house.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

Absolutely not. We had our BR done in June and DH stayed home with them. He was going to be doing yardwork but it rained just about everyday. There was one day that DH couldn't take off so I had to be there. But it was a demolition day so they were only there for a couple of hours.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

OMG never. I don't even answer the door when people come selling stuff. I think everyone is shady

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

Yes. I don't have the luxury of taking off a week of work to stay home and babysit contractors.

We try to hire reputable people that can be held liable and can be tracked down if we are going to have a big job done.

Plus our neighbors are great about watching our house.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

If you have said "never", how do you have things done in your home if you work? We are getting our kitchen done soon and I have no choice but to go to work. We do know the contractor well enough and really only trust him in our home while we are gone.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

The only time I have left a worker in my house is when he was a family friend. Otherwise, I would NEVER. You can never trust anyone to be left alone in your house. I have heard too many stories about things being stolen or they went through drwares and stuff.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

I did once and I was really nervous about it. However I work close by and was coming home on my lunch break a few hours later. I don't know if I will do it again.

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

i know this guy who has done all of the renovations for my house
him and his team has full acces to my home when doing the big projects.

i really had not other choice. i cant sit home with them all day- id freaking lose my job!

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???

NEVER and we have had our house gutted and all. Big or small NO ONE is left unattended in my home!! when they did the siding( we were home when they replaced the windows b/c they had to come in for that), roofing, pool and deck, cement in backyard and landscaping for that we did b/c they did their work outside!!! even when we had our fireplace redone- thje roof changing the bricks and whatever that piece is called the stainless steel part we were home for that.

we just had our entire staircase redone and my DH was home ( I was in the hospital recently for a week) and dummy forgot to put away my rings- engagement too but thankfully they did not go in our bedrooms- however if we werent home- Im sure that would be very enticing!!!!

Re: Do you leave workmen in your house alone???