Do people leave builders in the house and give them a key?

[Lucyloo223]

I want to get some work done but it's going to take 2 weeks. I can't take 2 weeks off work. Do people just let builders have a key to come and go?

Yes, we do.

Yes we do too

They usually come early and leave early so sort of 8am-4pm sort of days. I usually let them in, quick chat then they let themselves out later. My door doesn't need keys to lock though. Mostly though I'd just work from home where possible.

Yes.

Yes, I do. I have a regular company that I use and I trust them.

I did for our extension. Builder came recommended. I'd met the owner several times and felt comfortable with it.
My dad was a decorator. Often had customer keys and regularly worked whilst people on holiday and kept an eye on the house.

Yes - but usually it’s because I know them through friends or acquaintances or they have been recommended to me!
I need some plastering doing soon and saw a van advertising plastering work etc in next road to me so called round and asked for a quote - he introduced me to the people whose house he was working on and they said they had used him before and he was honest and reliable

Yep.
Take anything of great value or things that could be damaged out of the house.

Yes

Yes

We did, they came and finished up our place whilst we were on holiday! They even organised cleaners too so we came back to a finished and spotless home (Although they'd already done work for us so it wasn't a new relationship, and I asked my friend nextdoor to keep an eye and ear out, too just in case).

Yes, and they should have liability insurance

You have to trust them. If you don't - then consider if you really want them working on your house? I do understand it's a strange feeling to hand a key over but it has to be a trust based relationship

Yes we do, though I try to wfh as much as possible in case there are any unexpected decisions to be made. Though that's not always ideal as it can be noisy.

Yes

We did for 2 weeks of work last year, we trusted them to lock up when done and I just came back on a couple of days to pick up the mail.

Yes - absolutely. We trust ours - very reliable. Ours finished off our extension when we were on holiday. We came back to a fitted utility room, and our washer and dryer plumbed in ready to go. They’d washed up the mugs etc they’d used and everything was stacked nearly on the side. We’d introduced them to the neighbours as they were going to be making good on their side once they were finished. No problems at all.

Yeah- I had a six month period where we had builders and bathroom fitters so I just fitted a key safe. I did hide any valuables out of the way, just as a precautions but no issues.

Yes. They come and go. Just hide your valuables. And your hoover.

Yep those skanky builders probably have more valuables and money than you.

Probably have to but it is a wise idea to have non copy keys and remove anything of any significant value or at least hide it.

Yes, I've known my tradies for a good while though! To test the waters with a newbie I do a small job initially for when we are around to see if we are comfortable with them. Only ever had 1 where we didn't feel comfortable with them so 'lost' their number

I gave ours the key and went on holiday.

Yes. I've left them keys and gone on holiday more than once.

They probably do ! Ours aren't skanky at all, we like them a lot. Still would hide family heirlooms etc one of our friends did have theft once and you never know whom they subcontract to.