Construction Workers in your house during addition construction

[tmw]

I realize this is pretty far off topic, but we are having an addition being constructed on our house, and that inevitably brings construction workers into the house. This can make some people uncomfortable. Of course, it's also impossible to do all the work without entering the house.

Does anyone have guidance on the rules for having construction workers in my house during a home addition, including getting clear identification of all workers and using the facilities?

And yes, I do plan on changing the locks when the work is complete.

Thanks!
Tim

[Forum Troll]

Find a contractor that is licensed, bonded and insured, and you probably wont have a problem.

[zzyzzx]

I would either watch them like the proverbial hawk, and hide anything valuable.

[tmw]

I don't see watching them as an option, as I'll be at work during the day while they are there--unless I install some type of security camera. Would you go that far? Unfortunately, the dog isn't much of a deterrent, as he enjoys some attention and won't tell me what happened.

[Noahtuck]

Yeah, the original post seemed a little paranoid when i first read it...

Find a contractor that is licensed, bonded and insured, and you probably wont have a problem.

And has good references....

Should not be a problem.

Over the last 30 years i have worked in 100's of homes, companies, factory's, ect. as a contractor & subcontractor & have never had a problem, but then i never stole or broke anything either 8)


EDIT:
I remember seeing a website where you can go to check what other people have posted about certain companies/contractors/workers, ect.

(somethings)list ??
Some chick's name, i can't recall off hand...

[freebird73717]

EDIT:
I remember seeing a website where you can go to check what other people have posted about certain companies/contractors/workers, ect.

(somethings)list ??
Some chick's name, i can't recall off hand...

Could this be what you are referring to?
http://www.angieslist.com/angieslist/

I've never used it before so I cant say about it.

I agree with Forum Troll. Get a legit contractor and you shouldn't have problems. Also any contractor worth his/her weight would have no problems providing references.

Luckily I don't have this problem. My father and brother are in the construction business!

[stiltman]

After working many years in construction, I would NEVER allow workers in my house unsupervised. The contractor may have a perfect record, but it only takes one of the workers that works for the contractor to be bad.

I would hire an unemployed FRIEND to watch my house if I can't be there myself.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

Don't forget to look them up on the Better Business Bureau site. You can get lots of info on a contractor there.

[thecoalman]

Use a reputable company and it shouldn't be an issue. Any good business owner is going to take such things quite seriously. I'd fire someone on the spot if they were found to have invaded the privacy of someone or stole something from them and would help with prosecution if it was warranted. I always made anyone working for me aware of that. I or one of my employees used to have to enter homes all the time where no one was present. I used to know where the hidden keys were and all kinds of things for lot of regular customers. I could have started a one person crime wave if I wanted. I only ever had one incident where a homeowner made any accusations and it was against myself when I first started out working for my Uncle. Apparently he had a knife stuck in the ceiling right near where I was working, I must of bumped it and it fell into the coal. He later found it and called with an apology.

[lordsmurf]

Same here:
I would NEVER allow workers in my house unsupervised.

Hire somebody to watch the place, if you must.

[Noahtuck]

Yeah, i guess i am kind of biased seeing as there is nothing in my home that would need repair that i could not do myself, and the fact that i have been in hundreds of homes and know i am trustable..

But i know the world is full of unreputable people....

Am i saying this right or am i just buzzed ??

[tmw]

The constuction business seems fairly unpredictable based on the feedback, like you never know what will happen.

I have a friend who does the type of construction I'm looking for, but he's too far away to help. When I googled his company, the best match I found was a registered sex offender listing my friend's company as the employer

I used to have Angie's List, and I don't recommend it. It didn't cover even the moderate size companies, and felt more random than anything.

Thanks for the input, and for now they have access to one side of the basement (with little in it), and I'm putting a deadbolt between that and the rest of the house, and we latch the outer door at night when they shouldn't be here.

Tim

[zzyzzx]

Same here:
I would NEVER allow workers in my house unsupervised.

Hire somebody to watch the place, if you must.

I agree 100%. I thought that this was common sense.