Decorator and key to house
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I've decided to hang up my DIY spurs and get the experts in. I found a guy through ratedpeople and he came over and quoted. I have agreed that he can start work on Thursday, however I am a little worried about giving him the keys to my "castle" is this normal?
Am I being overly protective?
Cheers
Sunil
I've decided to hang up my DIY spurs and get the experts in. I found a guy through ratedpeople and he came over and quoted. I have agreed that he can start work on Thursday, however I am a little worried about giving him the keys to my "castle" is this normal?
Am I being overly protective?
Cheers
Sunil
If you have two locks on your door (say a yale latch and a chubb mortise) then give the decorator a key to the latch, and don't lock the mortise on days he is expected to be on site.
I'd also change the barrel once the work is completed too (doesn't cost much).... but then I was born paranoid.
I'd also change the barrel once the work is completed too (doesn't cost much).... but then I was born paranoid.
Hi,
I have a double glazing door (if that makes sense). I assume that the lock can be changed on that? To be honest I've not got that much to nick at the moment!
The guy has good references on ratedpeople. He does however live only 2 minutes from my house, so worried he might decided to snuggle up on these cold evenings as he has a key!!
Cheers
Sunil
I have a double glazing door (if that makes sense). I assume that the lock can be changed on that? To be honest I've not got that much to nick at the moment!
The guy has good references on ratedpeople. He does however live only 2 minutes from my house, so worried he might decided to snuggle up on these cold evenings as he has a key!!
Cheers
Sunil
No you are not.
I certainly would carry out checks from recommendations on him etc.
I once recall a carpet fitter being given the key to an elderly female pensioner’s house to fit a bedroom carpet, only later to be arrested and his home searched for a missing diamond ring. The ring was only later to be found at the pensioner’s home her relatives, but to be arrested, to have your children’s bedrooms searched by the bib, was a situation he never again wanted to find himself in. So I think it is an unfair position to put the decorator in, but what is the alternative.
I certainly would carry out checks from recommendations on him etc.
I once recall a carpet fitter being given the key to an elderly female pensioner’s house to fit a bedroom carpet, only later to be arrested and his home searched for a missing diamond ring. The ring was only later to be found at the pensioner’s home her relatives, but to be arrested, to have your children’s bedrooms searched by the bib, was a situation he never again wanted to find himself in. So I think it is an unfair position to put the decorator in, but what is the alternative.
Why do you think that because that you have got a turbo something or other the decorator would get "ideas". Most of the houses I go to with flash cars are rough and the owners do not want to spend any money on their house because they hve spent it on the car. I to have a turbo, a expert van and I also own a BMW but I do not get ideas when I go to price a job. I worry more about will this bloke with the turbo pay up or will I be chasing him for the money. At the end of the day it all comes down to trust on both sides.
I wonder if this decorator chap is going to his favourite forum and asking questions like;
1) Am I going to get tucked up for pinching something because this guy has given me keys to an empty house.
2) Am I going to get paid, given the house is empty and the guy not there...
He lives round the corner. He's hardly going to disappear to Barbados on a second hand TV and some surround sound gear.
He trusts you that you're going to pay him.
Give him the common courtesy in return that he's honest.
There's a time and a place to be careful, this is not one of them. I expect he would be absolutely insulted to thing you're taking your valuables elsewhere whilst he's in the house alone. Wouldn't you be?
10/10 for crime prevention, but 1/10 for instantly thinking the worst of people.
You should be ashamed of yourself!
On the other hand, don't be surprised if you come home and find a log in the toilet.
1) Am I going to get tucked up for pinching something because this guy has given me keys to an empty house.
2) Am I going to get paid, given the house is empty and the guy not there...
He lives round the corner. He's hardly going to disappear to Barbados on a second hand TV and some surround sound gear.
He trusts you that you're going to pay him.
Give him the common courtesy in return that he's honest.
There's a time and a place to be careful, this is not one of them. I expect he would be absolutely insulted to thing you're taking your valuables elsewhere whilst he's in the house alone. Wouldn't you be?
10/10 for crime prevention, but 1/10 for instantly thinking the worst of people.
You should be ashamed of yourself!
On the other hand, don't be surprised if you come home and find a log in the toilet.
maser_spyder said:
I wonder if this decorator chap is going to his favourite forum and asking questions like;
1) Am I going to get tucked up for pinching something because this guy has given me keys to an empty house.
2) Am I going to get paid, given the house is empty and the guy not there...
He lives round the corner. He's hardly going to disappear to Barbados on a second hand TV and some surround sound gear.
He trusts you that you're going to pay him.
Give him the common courtesy in return that he's honest.
There's a time and a place to be careful, this is not one of them. I expect he would be absolutely insulted to thing you're taking your valuables elsewhere whilst he's in the house alone. Wouldn't you be?
10/10 for crime prevention, but 1/10 for instantly thinking the worst of people.
You should be ashamed of yourself!
On the other hand, don't be surprised if you come home and find a log in the toilet.
It's called being careful mate, however perhaps I might leave him a log in the loo for when he starts just to let him know I'm on to him!! LOL 1) Am I going to get tucked up for pinching something because this guy has given me keys to an empty house.
2) Am I going to get paid, given the house is empty and the guy not there...
He lives round the corner. He's hardly going to disappear to Barbados on a second hand TV and some surround sound gear.
He trusts you that you're going to pay him.
Give him the common courtesy in return that he's honest.
There's a time and a place to be careful, this is not one of them. I expect he would be absolutely insulted to thing you're taking your valuables elsewhere whilst he's in the house alone. Wouldn't you be?
10/10 for crime prevention, but 1/10 for instantly thinking the worst of people.
You should be ashamed of yourself!
On the other hand, don't be surprised if you come home and find a log in the toilet.
maser_spyder said:
I wonder if this decorator chap is going to his favourite forum and asking questions like;
1) Am I going to get tucked up for pinching something because this guy has given me keys to an empty house.
2) Am I going to get paid, given the house is empty and the guy not there...
He lives round the corner. He's hardly going to disappear to Barbados on a second hand TV and some surround sound gear.
He trusts you that you're going to pay him.
Give him the common courtesy in return that he's honest.
There's a time and a place to be careful, this is not one of them. I expect he would be absolutely insulted to thing you're taking your valuables elsewhere whilst he's in the house alone. Wouldn't you be?
10/10 for crime prevention, but 1/10 for instantly thinking the worst of people.
You should be ashamed of yourself!
On the other hand, don't be surprised if you come home and find a log in the toilet.
Yeah right. I tend to be prepared for the worst. 1) Am I going to get tucked up for pinching something because this guy has given me keys to an empty house.
2) Am I going to get paid, given the house is empty and the guy not there...
He lives round the corner. He's hardly going to disappear to Barbados on a second hand TV and some surround sound gear.
He trusts you that you're going to pay him.
Give him the common courtesy in return that he's honest.
There's a time and a place to be careful, this is not one of them. I expect he would be absolutely insulted to thing you're taking your valuables elsewhere whilst he's in the house alone. Wouldn't you be?
10/10 for crime prevention, but 1/10 for instantly thinking the worst of people.
You should be ashamed of yourself!
On the other hand, don't be surprised if you come home and find a log in the toilet.
Always always always always think of the worst case scenario. And then assess the situation. Don't be daft and have 'faith' or trust in 'strangers.'
We get given he keys to houses all the time. It is a bit strange from one perspective as when we quote, we turn up in a van so all the customer has is a first name and a company name, which could be made up.
Then again we are honest chaps and I guess it shows.
I sometimes quote houses with occupants worth several million, and houses worth more. However I only feel the need to "case" the joint when they have a car with a "turbo" on the drive...
Then again we are honest chaps and I guess it shows.
I sometimes quote houses with occupants worth several million, and houses worth more. However I only feel the need to "case" the joint when they have a car with a "turbo" on the drive...
TheCarpetCleaner said:
We get given he keys to houses all the time. It is a bit strange from one perspective as when we quote, we turn up in a van so all the customer has is a first name and a company name, which could be made up.
Then again we are honest chaps and I guess it shows.
I sometimes quote houses with occupants worth several million, and houses worth more. However I only feel the need to "case" the joint when they have a car with a "turbo" on the drive...
As there ever been a time when you have felt uncomfortable being left alone in a house, or even alone with a child or adult female?Then again we are honest chaps and I guess it shows.
I sometimes quote houses with occupants worth several million, and houses worth more. However I only feel the need to "case" the joint when they have a car with a "turbo" on the drive...
Wings said:
TheCarpetCleaner said:
We get given he keys to houses all the time. It is a bit strange from one perspective as when we quote, we turn up in a van so all the customer has is a first name and a company name, which could be made up.
Then again we are honest chaps and I guess it shows.
I sometimes quote houses with occupants worth several million, and houses worth more. However I only feel the need to "case" the joint when they have a car with a "turbo" on the drive...
As there ever been a time when you have felt uncomfortable being left alone in a house, or even alone with a child or adult female?Then again we are honest chaps and I guess it shows.
I sometimes quote houses with occupants worth several million, and houses worth more. However I only feel the need to "case" the joint when they have a car with a "turbo" on the drive...
I would not work in the house if there was anyone under 18 present without an adult. Main reason being that if there was an emergency in the house, someone under 18 may not be able to handle it, and secondly I am not CRB checked, nor do I act as a babysitter.
We have had clients asking us to finish the job, and lock up when we leave, then leaave us a cheque before they go out. We only do this with repeat customers that we know, as you never know if they were renting it, were never coming back and left a dodgy cheque.
Risk and reward in every situation, we take it as it comes based on the area, what we know and who we are dealing with.
Thanks for the reply.
The reason I asked was that several years ago I was doing a lot of work with the local council, and the guy passing the business my way, asked me if I would fit some security window locks for a young single mum working in his office. Any way agreed to do the work, and agreed with the young lady a price, materials only.
Arrived on the day to fit the locks, started downstairs, lounge, dining room etc., get upstairs into the bedrooms, panties on bed with porn magazines opened on floor. Finished fitting window locks, requested cheque payment and retreated quickly from house. The young lady was very tasty, it appeared to be on a plate, and yet it also appeared to me, that any attempt would not only stop me from getting financially paid, but also used against me in evidence.
Immediately upon arrival at home, I told my wife of what had happen and of my suspicions, two weeks later this young lady had made an allegation of sexual assault against the council’s buyer, who was the person who had asked me if I would fit the window locks for her.
For the above reason, particularly renting out flats etc., I am extremely careful not to place myself in a position where any type of false allegation might be made against me.
The reason I asked was that several years ago I was doing a lot of work with the local council, and the guy passing the business my way, asked me if I would fit some security window locks for a young single mum working in his office. Any way agreed to do the work, and agreed with the young lady a price, materials only.
Arrived on the day to fit the locks, started downstairs, lounge, dining room etc., get upstairs into the bedrooms, panties on bed with porn magazines opened on floor. Finished fitting window locks, requested cheque payment and retreated quickly from house. The young lady was very tasty, it appeared to be on a plate, and yet it also appeared to me, that any attempt would not only stop me from getting financially paid, but also used against me in evidence.
Immediately upon arrival at home, I told my wife of what had happen and of my suspicions, two weeks later this young lady had made an allegation of sexual assault against the council’s buyer, who was the person who had asked me if I would fit the window locks for her.
For the above reason, particularly renting out flats etc., I am extremely careful not to place myself in a position where any type of false allegation might be made against me.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff