Leaving contractors/people to do work in your home alone

[Milkchocodigestive]

Hi there! Just need some other views on this!

So we’re getting our carpet cleaned and refreshed after years of built up stains and my husband asked one of his colleagues (who does cleaning as a side hustle) to do it. The price was very reasonable and the colleague had come to our house to assess the carpet and see what tools he’d need. I was fine with it but then my husband forgot that he’d booked the guy to come in at a day when we’d all be out of the house and rescheduling would be a bit tight. Now, I don’t actually know the colleague myself and although I’m sure he’s lovely and all that based on my husband’s judgment, I’m still not 100% comfortable of having someone who’s essentially a virtual stranger (to me) left alone in my house to carry out work. It’s not that I’m assuming he’s capable of anything bad, it’s more to do with me wanting to protect my home and taking due diligence due to not truly knowing him. Also, trust should be earned in my opinion! So I asked my sister to house-sit whilst he carries out work. She’s not there to hover over him like a drone, more to just be a presence in the house. Part of me feels like it’s a bit too cautious but I think it’s just due diligence- right? Would you guys do the same?😀

Exactly! Pre covid we both worked full time in offices, and would never have been able to get anything done.

I've had some work done while I wasn't there. I do not recommend this.

The first time, we got the house rewired. My parents stayed over and were impressed. A good while later, I discovered that the Scottish Power workmen had removed a bit of flooring in the spare room and hadn't replaced it - they'd put the carpet back and placed some storage boxes over it.

The second time, I was aware of the problem immediately, but in no fit state to deal with it. DH had a stroke the day the last bit of work was to be done.

He was in the local acute stroke ward; I was at work (5 minutes away from the hospital.) He was out of danger by then.

The quote said 'plastering not included, but may not be needed'. I assumed (like an idiot) that I'd be told if plastering was needed and charged extra.

I got home to a new kitchen and walls like moon craters.

Surely you can see the huge difference in scenarios? OP’s entire family are currently living in the property and all their belongings are there. Your house is a demolition site and therefore it’s not likely all of your belongings are left unattended nor is it likely that you’re living through the mess. In a complete renovation, your house is a blank canvas as opposed to an established home. He’s only cleaning the carpet!

We've done it. We had our bathroom fitted whilst we were away for a month, and then had the whole house painted when we were away for two weeks last year. We live in a small cottage and it would just not have been feasible for us to be there whilst we had trades in, especially (in the bathroom case) as we only have one WC.

On both occasions we used trusted tradesmen who had been recommended by other trades in our village. Our local trades are very close knit, and it would soon get around if someone had done a bad job, or anything untoward had happened.

On a personal security note we took steps to make sure anything private or valuable was tucked away. My decent and sentimental jewellery and DH's watches were looked after by our friends who live in the village, and any important papers etc were put in a box in our loft room (and it would be a brave man to go searching up there. It's like the Room of Requirement in Harry Potter).

Our friends also have a key for our house and they popped round whilst we were away to make sure all was well. We will be doing the same for them whilst they have decorators in when they are away soon. Again, local trades are doing the work (actually it's the chap across the road from us) so it will soon get around if anything does go wrong.

@AlastheDaffodils I once asked my mum to stay in our house while we were doing some electric work. She caught one of the two guys emptying the dust bag of his vacuum in our hallway. Honestly, I don't have a simple answer to your question but I guess it may be a combo of tight project management and coordination, taking turns to take time off work, asking relatives to help etc but I would not leave people alone in my house especially on a big project. Might be just me though.

What are you on about? Most people dont have the luxury of moving out for a complete renovation. We had loft conversion, kitchen, bathroom, downstairs toilet, new flooring throughout and al decorating done while living in the house (2 adults and 2 children). It just meant decanting from room to room but we were still living there. We didn't have any choice.

I always have work down at home when I’m not in. Never massively thought too much into it to be honest. If it’s a short job like boiler service, had some people out to fix a wall then I would be in. If it’s a long job like when I had bathroom redone or rooms plastered I went to work

If anything did go wrong you wouldn’t be insured either

I’m confused

So you and the colleague were able to reschedule so that you were home.

and you “reluctantly” cancelled your sister

why? You are home 😵‍💫

There are four of us living in the house while this is going on. We move from room to rooms as different areas are started/completed. As @rainbowunicorn mentioned, most people can’t afford a rental on top of a mortgage and renovation costs.

We would always be in the house. You just never know. Many many years ago I had an who used to work in other people's houses. He and his mates all used to nick stuff, like a habit, mostly petty stuff but could have been of sentimental value. I was totally shocked as it was so out of character and they were all so chilled about it. One of the reasons why we split.

I’m quite chill about this, I gave our landscapers a key when we went away mid job so they could access the bathroom. Granted we have security cameras all around the outside of our house 😂 but I generally tend to see the good in people.

The cleaner colleague came yesterday and you were in.

So… what was with lining your sister up and then reluctantly having to cancel her?