Workmen in next week, I don't feel safe about leaving the house all day

[Petrovia]

Not sure what the right thing to do is.

We're having a new central heating boiler fitted next week along with a couple of new radiators and the system being cleaned out (only 3 rads currently work at all)

It's a popular local firm, but I don't know them personally - have only met the chap in charge who won't be doing the actual work. One of the blokes is an apprentice.

They advised me that it will be very cold so I might like to vacate the house while they do the work - but that's 3 days at least with a 19mo, and though I could go to mum's across town, I feel kind of weird leaving strange men alone in my house.

I'm afraid of them needing to take up floors or move things unexpectedly - the boss said he didn't know whether they might have trouble with bits of the job - so I'll want to move my things if so.

I'm also worried about them having access to basically everything we own, including jewellery, documents, cards etc. Or the doors being left open so that the whole street has access iyswim.

I want to be here but it is going to be really cold for 3 days without a boiler isn't it? And I'll be in their way etc etc etc.

What would you do? Am I being a control freak?

Could your dc not stay at your mums for the 3 days and you can pop back and forth? That's probably what I'd do. I wouldn't want to be there while they're working as it would wind me up everytime they took a lazy break but would want to make sure my possessions were safe.

Well, my mum will be at work for two of the three days so not really!

But I could take him there on the Tuesday.

Have got an electric heater to put in bedroom at night, but it is going to be freezing isn't it

I ahdn't thought about nights and so on.

We have got the winter slot because we're getitng a grant to have it done I think. I applied last April but nothing happened till now.

Don't know what to suggest then. Hope it all goes ok.

Thanks all the same x

I would just let them get on with it while you are not around.

I always do and never had any trouble - especially if it is a good local firm with a reputation to consider.

Most people are honest.

Leave a number and ask them to give you a ring if anything happens that you need to be there for.

yes they won't have time to be going through your things
and they will want to do a good job because presumably they won't be paid until it's done
Just go out the first day and if when you come home you're worried be there a bit more on the 2nd day
or get your other half to take leave so he can monitor the situation while oyu and ds stay with your mum

thankyou, I suppose I'm worried because I've had bad experiences with another company when we had heating put in in another place a few years ago. They stomped in, grunted at me, stuck their radio on really loud and ripped up the vinyl in the kitchen (it was new) and then took out various bits of floorboard and bunged it all back again so there was a massive crease in the vinyl (eventually got compensation to get it replaced) and the floor rocked when you walked on it.

I kind of feel rather afraid in the light of that!

I've already paid £400 upfront, they'll get the rest when it's done so I hope youre right.

The other firm was very well known but they use local contractors apparently which can mean it varies.

(posie hope the uniform is proving useful! Don't say who I am tho! )