What would you do? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

SuburbanZombie · 07-21-2011, 11:38 AM

We hired a general contractor to do some work that I knew I would never get around to (or do properly, but that's another story).
I had left the back door open so they could get to the downstairs bathroom and left a cooler with some water bottles for them. (its in the 90's today).
I left for work before she did so she called before leaving for work herself and asked what to do about the back door. I said leave it open for them as I should be home before they finish.
She didn't like the idea and argued it before just saying fine and hanging up.
Now, a bit of background. She has never met either of the workers before. The GC is the husband of a woman I not only have worked with for the past 5 years, but got her her current job and trained her. I had met her husband (the GC) a couple times previously. His helper is the younger son of my former boss.

Would you have left the house unlocked for them or am I being too trusting?

mixedmedia · 07-21-2011, 11:43 AM

I would have left it open for them.
I dunno if that is too trusting.

genuinegirly · 07-21-2011, 11:44 AM

It's not so much a matter of not trusting the people you are planning to have stop by your house, but rather the fact that anyone could walk in between the time your wife leaves and they arrive.

Also, it's good form to be present to answer any questions that come up when people are working on your house.

The_Jazz · 07-21-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genuinegirly

It's not so much a matter of not trusting the people you are planning to have stop by your house, but rather the fact that anyone could walk in between the time your wife leaves and they arrive.

Also, it's good form to be present to answer any questions that come up when people are working on your house.

This.

dlish · 07-21-2011, 01:09 PM

Jazz, from an insurance POV, would he be covered if he a policy that covered theft?

hunnychile · 07-21-2011, 01:25 PM

I spend at least 3 to 5 hours a day looking for a job. Any job.

And yes, I have a college degree and know many software programs.
'How about you all?

The_Jazz · 07-21-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlish

Jazz, from an insurance POV, would he be covered if he a policy that covered theft?

Yes. He not being reckless since he knows the two contractors, and they'd be the primary suspects. If they didn't do it, then it's someone that was going around trying unlocked doors. You're not required to lock your doors by your insurance carrier.

---------- Post added at 04:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:29 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunnychile

I spend at least 3 to 5 hours a day looking for a job. Any job.

And yes, I have a college degree and know many software programs.
'How about you all?

Uh, nonsequitor much?

Poetry · 07-21-2011, 02:03 PM

I would've locked it. I'm paranoid. Not just of them, but of neighborhood and people they may have hired.

Also, whenever we've hired contractors in the past, they've just peed in the hedges whether we left the house open or not. Never did find any crap though...

Ourcrazymodern? · 07-21-2011, 03:42 PM

I'd've left it open. However, I've even come to recognize myself as too trusting. Your wife is probably right, in any case.

SuburbanZombie · 07-21-2011, 04:22 PM

They were already there working when we left. He has both my cell numbers for questions.

The neighborhood is safe. Might be the location/town. Might be the 3 private shooting ranges in the neighborhood.

thesurgeon · 07-21-2011, 04:57 PM

Best check your insurance policy's terms for leaving doors open, in the case of theft it's important to know that your policy may be subject to minimum security arrangements. This means you are responsible for ensuring everything possible is done to make your home as secure as possible. Leaving a door or window open where a thief can enter, leaving your door unlocked or with keys in the lock or even leaving keys where they can be found (under a mat etc) could lead to your claim being invalid, so read your policy carefully, to make sure you know in which situations you are covered.

kramus · 07-21-2011, 06:13 PM

I'd leave a spare key in the BBQ (or whatever other easy to get spot you have) in the yard, and tell the contractor to let himself in/lock up when done. If all the conversation already has taken place then the contractors just get on with it.

ASU2003 · 07-21-2011, 06:32 PM

If there isn't a valid work related reason to get into the house, I would say to lock it up. What if they need some supplies and make a run to the store? Would they lock your house up?

You can give them a key, if you know them and are nice to let them use the restroom or take drink breaks indoors.

---------- Post added at 10:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 PM ----------

If there isn't a valid work related reason to get into the house, I would say to lock it up. What if they need some supplies and make a run to the store? Would they lock your house up?

You can give them a key, if you know them and are nice to let them use the restroom or take drink breaks indoors.

Ourcrazymodern? · 07-22-2011, 05:22 PM

If you're worried about it, you probably should be. Folks don't trust like they used to.

chinese crested · 07-23-2011, 12:21 AM

Kramus - a sensible option. Just leaving the door unlocked, you would have been leaving them with the responsibility of guarding your house - and what if they needed to go off and pick something up for the job. Just because one partner is nice, doesnt mean the other is does it. I think your wife was right to be cautious.

07-21-2011, 11:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
SuburbanZombie Upright Location: Suburban Bliss	What would you do? We hired a general contractor to do some work that I knew I would never get around to (or do properly, but that's another story). I had left the back door open so they could get to the downstairs bathroom and left a cooler with some water bottles for them. (its in the 90's today). I left for work before she did so she called before leaving for work herself and asked what to do about the back door. I said leave it open for them as I should be home before they finish. She didn't like the idea and argued it before just saying fine and hanging up. Now, a bit of background. She has never met either of the workers before. The GC is the husband of a woman I not only have worked with for the past 5 years, but got her her current job and trained her. I had met her husband (the GC) a couple times previously. His helper is the younger son of my former boss. Would you have left the house unlocked for them or am I being too trusting?

07-21-2011, 11:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
mixedmedia has all her shots. Location: Florida	I would have left it open for them. I dunno if that is too trusting. __________________ Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

07-21-2011, 11:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	It's not so much a matter of not trusting the people you are planning to have stop by your house, but rather the fact that anyone could walk in between the time your wife leaves and they arrive. Also, it's good form to be present to answer any questions that come up when people are working on your house. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

07-21-2011, 01:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
dlish Currently sour but formerly Dlishs Super Moderator Location: Australia/UAE	Jazz, from an insurance POV, would he be covered if he a policy that covered theft? __________________ An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay? - Filthy

07-21-2011, 01:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
hunnychile Alien Anthropologist Location: Between Boredom and Nirvana	I spend at least 3 to 5 hours a day looking for a job. Any job. And yes, I have a college degree and know many software programs. 'How about you all? __________________ "I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

07-21-2011, 02:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
Poetry Crazy Location: Los Angeles, CA	I would've locked it. I'm paranoid. Not just of them, but of neighborhood and people they may have hired. Also, whenever we've hired contractors in the past, they've just peed in the hedges whether we left the house open or not. Never did find any crap though... __________________ "You know what? Fuck the moon! He controls our water and our women. I've had enough!"

07-21-2011, 03:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ourcrazymodern? still, wondering. Location: South Minneapolis, somewhere near the gorgeous gorge	I'd've left it open. However, I've even come to recognize myself as too trusting. Your wife is probably right, in any case. __________________ BE JUST AND FEAR NOT

07-21-2011, 04:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
SuburbanZombie Upright Location: Suburban Bliss	They were already there working when we left. He has both my cell numbers for questions. The neighborhood is safe. Might be the location/town. Might be the 3 private shooting ranges in the neighborhood.

07-21-2011, 04:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
thesurgeon Upright	Best check your insurance policy's terms for leaving doors open, in the case of theft it's important to know that your policy may be subject to minimum security arrangements. This means you are responsible for ensuring everything possible is done to make your home as secure as possible. Leaving a door or window open where a thief can enter, leaving your door unlocked or with keys in the lock or even leaving keys where they can be found (under a mat etc) could lead to your claim being invalid, so read your policy carefully, to make sure you know in which situations you are covered.

07-21-2011, 06:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
kramus loving the curves Location: my Lady's manor	I'd leave a spare key in the BBQ (or whatever other easy to get spot you have) in the yard, and tell the contractor to let himself in/lock up when done. If all the conversation already has taken place then the contractors just get on with it. __________________ And now to disengage the clutch of the forebrain ... I'm going with this - if you like artwork visit http://markfineart.ca

07-21-2011, 06:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	If there isn't a valid work related reason to get into the house, I would say to lock it up. What if they need some supplies and make a run to the store? Would they lock your house up? You can give them a key, if you know them and are nice to let them use the restroom or take drink breaks indoors. ---------- Post added at 10:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 PM ---------- If there isn't a valid work related reason to get into the house, I would say to lock it up. What if they need some supplies and make a run to the store? Would they lock your house up? You can give them a key, if you know them and are nice to let them use the restroom or take drink breaks indoors.

07-22-2011, 05:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
Ourcrazymodern? still, wondering. Location: South Minneapolis, somewhere near the gorgeous gorge	If you're worried about it, you probably should be. Folks don't trust like they used to. __________________ BE JUST AND FEAR NOT

07-23-2011, 12:21 AM	#15 (permalink)
chinese crested Insane Location: hampshire	Kramus - a sensible option. Just leaving the door unlocked, you would have been leaving them with the responsibility of guarding your house - and what if they needed to go off and pick something up for the job. Just because one partner is nice, doesnt mean the other is does it. I think your wife was right to be cautious.