Clients house key problem.

[masona]

Any trademan's out there been given the house key when the clients are working away from home ?

I'm finding it very awkward and mostly turn a lot of them down on this offer. I can't seem to find a way round it or am'I being stupid ? Me thinking if anything missing, you're the first one they be looking at whatever the problem is.....

 

[Meblin]

Ask for references of work they have done and ask if they left the keys and are they reliable, etc..

Meblin

 

[breezer]

its actually a very big no no,

as you mentioned if something goes missing, but from health and saftey point of view, if you are on your own and have an accident who will help? if some one else there they can at least call for help

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

Scuse me for being dumb.

Are you the client or tradesman???

 

[masona]

Me being the trademan and the client given me the key to a empty house.

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

I thought you were a petrol sniffing keyboard banger???

Have you been missing the trade?

Don't have a problem with this myself, but then I know most of my customers.

With boats, the customers aren't usually present, so keys are held (and logged) by the marina office.

This can cause problems, as more than one person can work on the boat before the owner see's the boat. I've experienced this (whilst employed) and the owner claimed that there was some damage (very slight), but of course who did it? No one claimed responsibility, so no resolution and slight resentment all round.

You've gotta judge for yourself whether you trust the customer not to stitch you up. But I consider it as a great compliment if am trusted with the keys to someones castle.

 

[oilman]

Most business is done with a large amount of trust. If you can't accept the trust, go and be an employee. I have worked in places on my own, and left the key when I have finished (only a day at a time). The ones who leave me there are generally very pleasant people. Some pepole won't leave you alone, that's their privilege.

As for heatth and safety and must have someone else there, get real. Do you have a following vehicle when you are driving alone late at night miles from anywhere? Where's the greatest risk? If you don't trust yourself to work on your own from a safety point of view, why should you be a liability for some other poor soul who's going to suffer sorting you out afterwards. YOU HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT YOU DO. Things occasionally happen to me, but rarely. Life is dangerous, death is the only certainty.

Anyway, back to the point, some people I'll accept a key from, the others probably won't offer. In the same way, I'll let some people have a key, some I won't. Some of the houses are lowly dwellings, some are MANSIONS!!

 

[securespark]

Yes, I agree. I have 1000+ clients on my dbase and have been going since 1996. I have had no problems whatsoever with any accusations of damage or theft at all. Often work alone, and if I'm in loft or under floor void, I take my mobile in case I get stuck.

Mind you, it doesn't always help. One of my customers had a nightmare scenario: her plumber (who was single) went in to do some work while they were abroad for four weeks. He was in the under-floor space when he suffered a fatal heart attack (at 39....)

When my customer came back, the place was teeming with flies, then they found the badly decomposed body, near the hatch.The police were there for a good few hours sorting stuff out......Wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

 

[fitter]

I would agree with oilman here.

Also things can get lost or misplaced even when the householder is there.

In the whole scheme of things, in working for the public, holding their keys(which I do on over half my jobs) is the least of my worries.

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

Yes, I agree. I have 1000+ clients on my dbase and have been going since 1996.

Mmmmm...... Data protection act? Anyone???

 

[masona]

Most business is done with a large amount of trust.

100% agreed with you but it's always in the back of my mine and there's nothing you can do about it.

I went to a empty property to repairs a faulty window and there was a large amount of cash on the side board, I have no idea how much was there but I get a sneaky feeling they was testing me out to see if they can trust me or not. I maybe wrong but you tend to feel uncomfortable.

 

[oilman]

Mmmmm...... Data protection act? Anyone???

Well that's a disapointment, I thought you were a reasonable guy. I never suspected you'd bring up this sort of garbage.

I'd certainly agree with Masona about the cash. I think I'd be a bit concerned too. I think I'd get intouch with the owners if possible and ask them what they were thinking of. If they're testing you, they're not trusting you.

 

[masona]

Thanks Oilman, I decided not to go back there without causing any bad feeling, I maybe totally wrong but can't help feeling this way.

 

[securespark]

MMJ & oilman.

I was registered with the Data Protection Register in Wilmslow from when I put my customers on dbase until about 1 year/18m ago when they slackened the rules. I had to reapply for status as a company handling data, but am no longer obliged to register as such.

Don't worry! I do everything above board....surprised you think I don't.

You have to think of all the angles. Like if you own a shop and you have the radio/music on, you have to pay an annual fee to the PRS.

Bet you didn't know that!

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

Mmmmm...... Data protection act? Anyone???

Well that's a disapointment, I thought you were a reasonable guy. I never suspected you'd bring up this sort of garbage.

I was only being sarcastic... It seemed funny when I typed it, Never crossed my mind that Secure might actually adhere to it! I'll get me coat...

I'd certainly agree with Masona about the cash. I think I'd be a bit concerned too. I think I'd get intouch with the owners if possible and ask them what they were thinking of. If they're testing you, they're not trusting you.

They may have been testing you, they may not. You'll never know, but one thing you can be sure of is the stupidity of some people!

My father inlaw used to keep a small bag of change in his cars ashtray for car parking etc. and one day after collecting his car from the garage after a service, (on arriving at a pay & display) he discovered it had been taken! So for the sake of about £3 the (independent) garage lost the custom of both his cars!

Now this wasn't money left in plain view for all to see, this was tucked away, so the perpetrator must have rifled through the car and found it.