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AIBU?

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Original poster

Builders asking to move car

66 replies

PPPMA · 24/08/2018 10:42

We have some builders next door who are doing some work on the neighbours house. They've just knocked and told me I need to move my partners car which is parked outside our house. My partner is not in and I haven't driven a manual car since my driving lessons (I drive an automatic). I don't feel comfortable even moving it and can't remember what I'm doing. WIBU to say I'm not moving it and they should have let us know beforehand? If I wasn't in they wouldn't have had a choice in the matter. Or should I ask one of them to move it for me even though none of us are insured and it's not their car to drive?

I'm nearly 30 weeks pregnant and do not trust myself driving a manual car even if it is just across the road...

OP posts:
AlexanderHamilton · 24/08/2018 11:11

If the car doesn't have an any driver policy then I really would not give them the keys.

AlexanderHamilton · 24/08/2018 11:12

Unless they have insurance which allows them to drive any car third party (& you are happy with that)

LemonBreeland · 24/08/2018 11:12

Don't give them the keys, tell them to cover it and if they damage it then it is their responsibility to pay for the damage.

ohreallyohreallyoh · 24/08/2018 11:13

They are trying to make sure there isn’t any damage to the car. It’s not an unreasonable request. You will piss off your neighbours if it means th builders can’t carry on with their work today. Ask them to move it for you - they will be happy to.

GoatWithACoat · 24/08/2018 11:15

You’d be mad to give them the key. They are not insured to drive it so what happens if they prang it? Or worse, hit someone causing injury?

RibbonAurora · 24/08/2018 11:17

Sorry you're feeling sick, OP, but honestly, I'd have just given the keys and had them move it right away. It's just not worth all the angst. You're right, they should have given notice, they should have said please but they didn't and the car needs moving and you need to get some rest. Sometimes it's better to be happy than right and in this case once it's moved, you're free to concentrate on feeling better.

rainbowstardrops · 24/08/2018 11:18

I wouldn't give them the keys to move it if they aren't insured!
Just say your partner isn't home and if they come back tomorrow to do the work then you'll make sure the car is moved.
If they insist on carrying on with the work today regardless then I'd be making it crystal clear that they'll be responsible for any damage to your car!
Could you ring their company and explain the situation?

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 24/08/2018 11:19

Just moving it across the road should only require 1st gear and reverse, so kind of the same as an auto

Apart from having to carefully control a clutch, of course, which somebody who is only used to an automatic may well find problematic and stressful.

GreatWesternValkyrie · 24/08/2018 11:19

If this silicone would get onto your cars and cause damage won’t it also get onto the windows of your house? Why aren’t they putting up some sort of sheeting/screening to minimise the risk of that? Or are they asking for your car to be moved in addition to doing that?

Pretty poor planning on their part not to have communicated this in advance or to have got your neighbour to discuss it with you in advance, especially if there is obviously no street parking outside. I’d be inclined to ask the neighbour to move it for you, if they prang it they can’t ignore the problem as easily as the builders could! Do you have any neighbours a few doors down who might be ok with you using their drive for a few hours?

Jaxhog · 24/08/2018 11:20

Tell them you don't have the keys, and that you need notice in future.

If they think they might damage the car, then they need to provide protection. Ditto your driveway. Ask for their insurance details in case you have to sue them for damages.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 24/08/2018 11:22

I can't believe people would give them the keys without knowing whether they are insured! I wouldn't take some random person's word that they were insured.

I would tell them that had they given you notice you would have made sure the car was moved but, as they didn't bother, they will need to cover it.

diddl · 24/08/2018 11:23

You need to move the car?

Well sorry, but if you can't, then they'll have to sort something else out, won't they?

Stressedoutmamma · 24/08/2018 11:24

how about saying sorry I can't move the car I'm not insured to and if you damage my husband's car you will be liable for repairs to the damage

Deshasafraisy · 24/08/2018 11:24

Give them the keys and let them sort it out.

THEsonofaBITCH · 24/08/2018 11:29

silicone is a polymer much heavier than air - it doesn't travel, its used in the human body as its inert once cured, it is used as a very expensive lubricant, its a sealant in most common form which again, doesn't travel so isn't going to damage surrounding areas - how is this an issue?

Racecardriver · 24/08/2018 11:30

Don't give them the keys. Just say no. They can do the silicone work another day or they can pay for any damage done to the car (although I really don't see why they can't just cover it with sheet plastic). By giving them the keys you are just facilitating their stupidity and the will continue to demand that people move their cars without notice until somebody teaches them a lesson in reasonable foresight.

TheMaddHugger · 24/08/2018 11:31

Im a tad Hmm at their demand. surely Silicone would damage more than just a car. what about your Driveway ?

OP you mentioned parking is bad, your car would probably be parked in a different street. With you needing to walk back.

Do these builders want to park in your DH's spot for their own convenience ?

I don't buy the silicone excuse

AdoreTheBeach · 24/08/2018 11:32

Some interesting points about how the silicone could get on your car in front of your house - so what about the rest of your property? That would suggest they need to put up protective barriers to avoid the silicone getting into your garden, into your house/drive/windows. Therefore it stands to reason as you can’t drive the car, nor are insured, that the builders can put something on your car to protect it.

I’ve just had some serious building works to my house. One thing required a giant crane to put a huge RSJ over our house. We needed the road clear of cars. It only was I told by the builders when that would be - a week in advance, I told all my neighbours AND the builder put a note through everyone’s door letting them know and apologising for any disruption. Neighbours brought me cones to ensure people parking for the station (and who wouldn’t have gotten the info) couldn’t park.

Your neighbours builders could have done the same if they need the road clear of cars. It’s not uncommon.

But it’s a today issue. Having the builder Cover your car seems best compromise (and the rest of your property too).

Do let them know you’re happy to help, you just need prior warning.

Could you imagine if you were off having your baby now, what would they have done? Or on holiday?

Getting the message to the builders now that they should let you know (and surely other neighbours too) in advance of any inconvenience would be a good thing to stop any last minute hiccups for them.

LittleRen · 24/08/2018 11:33

We had k rend on our house, it’s a silicone render - once it’s wet it sticks and could damage. It doesn’t say what they are doing, silicone is used in more then just simple sealant. At least they are doing the decent thing and telling you. I would ask them to move it, chances are they have third party cover... but really what are the chances of them damaging the car?? Very little.

angelnix · 24/08/2018 11:37

Just to clarify, you're not insured to drive the car, the builder is unlikely to be insured to drive the car and the car will need to be moved at least a short drive away? Driving with no insurance is illegal, what if they hit someone? I would say that I haven't got the keys, husband will be home at x time and can move the car then, or you can arrange for it to be moved by Tuesday morning.

Buddycav · 24/08/2018 11:40

Do not give them the keys, they are not insured to drive your car if anything happened you would not be covered.

rjay123 · 24/08/2018 11:45

Do not move the car, or allow the builders to move it.

Instead take photos of your car as is, in case the builders do cause damage.

StarShapedWindow · 24/08/2018 11:47

I don’t see why it’s the builders fault, why didn’t your neighbours warn you and ask you to move your car. It sounds like the builders are trying to protect your car, they’re aren’t being deliberately annoying.

hellsbellsmelons · 24/08/2018 11:59

Do as you were going to do.
Give them the keys and tell them that you can't move it and would they mind doing it.
Just watch them and take the key straight back.
Flippin' 'eck, it's not rocket science.

bingbongnoise · 24/08/2018 12:00

@PPPMA

Yeah, I am also in the 'what about the rest of your property' camp!

If silicone can do damage to your car, then what will it do to your (much more expensive) house?!

If it was me, I would be asking THAT question, and wanting to know what they are going to do to protect my property.

If you don't feel comfortable moving the car, then don't. Tell them that you don't have the keys. Do NOT give the keys to the builders!

@ohreallyohreallyoh

You will piss off your neighbours if it means the builders can’t carry on with their work today.

So what? This is not the OP's problem. I 'get' that it's not entirely the fault of the builders, but the issue is absolutely 0% the fault of the OP. She doesn't have to move the car, and is quite within her rights to say no, and make the excuse that she doesn't have the keys.

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