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contractors when you aren't home
This is our first house and our first reno (obviously). We had hoped he could finish it before our move in date, but that didn't happen and it looks like by the time he's done, there will wind up being like a 10 day overlap when we are living there and they are working. We both work FT out of the home - so the contractor dude is there all day without us being there. Is that weird? Last week when we basically had everything still in boxes and nothing moved in at all (except some kitchen items), i didn't have a problem really. Now that we are settled - i kind of started getting paranoid that this guy is in our house all day. And he kind of knows our schedule.
I like this guy - he's a licensed contractor and he has a legit business and was recommended by a friend. But still... am I being paranoid?
Re: contractors when you aren't home
I agree with this.
Then again where I live, everyone knows everyone and the schedule of everyone's cousin anyways.
There is a parade of contractors in and out of my house/farm on the regular. I wouldn't get anything done if I had to stare at them all day. But I usually know them or know someone who does know them so they are easily traceable.
That and I feel if you're going to run away with my credit card and checkbook..pay the bill first...or you won't get too far.
I do like to be around for questions if they have any..but work is a fact of life and I can't always do much about that.
I guessing don't know how else anything would get done. I'm thinking down the road to our kitchen reno which will take much longer than a couple of weeks. How else to do that?
I understand your feelings completely. I am not o.k with people being in my home without one of us being here. Since we always have something going on (since the day we built it) our solution, I work PT. Although my unpaid job is coordinating contractors and workers:)
Obviously, it's not feasible for most families to have a spouse work PT or quit working and stay home to supervise contractors. DH and I both work FT and we've had contractors in our house without us there and haven't had any issues. We both have some flexibility in our jobs though so we try to rotate through leaving a little late, coming home early, stopping by at lunch, etc. every couple of days unannounced so the contractors don't get too comfortable. If that's not feasible for you, maybe you could ask family in the area to stop by occasionally to check in. If not, maybe a neighbor who stays at home or works from home could try to keep an eye out for you. Since you're only talking about a 10 day time period, another option is to put anything that you think may be at risk of being stolen in a storage unit or at a family member's house until the renovations are done.
Also, we give contractors our garage code and always change it once the work is complete so we don't have to worry about them knowing our schedule and coming back. We also check our windows each day to make sure they are still locked. I read an article once about shady contractors asking to use your bathroom, etc. then unlocking the window while in there and using that as a entry point to rob you later.
I wouldn't hire anyone to work on my home whom I wouldn't trust to be there when I'm not. It's par for the course, contractors normally prefer you not being there so they can actually work without you "being in the way".
Besides, I'm sure he want his 10% retainage and any other payment installments more than he wants your use flat screen tv.
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Chasing a Rainbow: The Chart/The Fruit
I agree with this. We are in the same situation right now. We have a contractor working on our home to renovate our bathroom before we move in at the end of this month. Once we move in he will continue with other renovations such as installing new hardwood floors and renovating our kitchen and dining room. I trust him, he was a referal from a friend and has renovated and built many homes in our area. He would not ruin a good reputation.
Sadie the Dog
Our Kitchen & Bath Reno Blog
Doesn't bother me. In all my homes I have at one time or another had contractors in the house while I have been gone. And my house cleaners have a key and come when I'm often not home.
If I didn't trust them then I wouldn't have them doing the job. If there was a criminal issue I would call police and handle it.
I wouldn't leave my nice jewelry on the table top... but other than that I would be okay with it.
I knew a gal who had contractors remodeling her garage into an apartment while she went to Europe for a month. When she came back they had put a window on the wrong wall and put a wall up where she didn't want it!
opps!