Kinda OT----Please help!

[littleprissboutique]

Hi all!

Where do I start. Well we are leaving for Disney next weekend. Here is my problem.

We our expecting number two, and are in the process of adding on to our home. When we talked to our contractor we requested that they not start until we got back from our trip. He then told us they have a couple of new homes to start in the spring and wanted to start right away. Well, they started on our home this past week. Hammering away as I type.

He is now wanting to work on my house while we are gone - 600 miles away.

Here are my concerns.

He says he will be here ever min with the sub contractors when we are gone. He has not been with them this past week??? How am I to know if he really is or not?

I really dont feel comfortable with people I dont know and never met in my house. Here is the kicker --- they will know we are not home!!

My hubby thinks I am nuts, and says take all of our valuable to the inlaws. I am just worried about my house burning down, a contractor peeing on my floor! , or them forgetting to lock my doors and a robber taking everything we have.

I dont have anyone to house sit - they will all be on the trip with us.

So, what is your alls input??? Am I nuts, or have a justified case?

 

[AlleyKat]

OMG...liabilities abound in this scenario.

DO NOT let ANYONE set foot on your property when you are gone!

Have a trusted neighbor keep an eye on your house. Instruct them to call the police if anyone pulls into your driveway.

Contractor or not, anyone caught on your property will be trespassing.

It would be in your best interest to let the police know your situation beforehand.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I would never ever let a contractor work on my house while I'm out of town. What is they do something that they're not supposed to do and by the time you come back, it would be too late or too expensive to fix. I would have not even let them start the job. Too many horror stories regarding contractors. I know there are good ones out there, but you just never know. I would pay him for what he's done and find someone who will work while your there. Was there a contract? Was there a start date on the contract? Ask him nicely to reschedule.

 

[java]

Nope no way would I let contractors in my house when I was not home. When we did our kitchen over we hired a well sought after contractor. He came highly referenced- years of experience ect. The guys were all great. Except one...Now I can't prove who it was but shortly after they started I started getting creepy calls at around 3 every morning. Back in the day when you could hide your # so I had no way of knowing who it was. Would only talk if I picked up. We finally left the machine on to pick up automatically - but creepy. So I would not trust anyone in my house alone. especially knowing that you are out of town.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I'm a contractor. Its not usually the contractors you have to worry about, but MORE their helpers. Thats why (like Mr Incredible to Syndrome) I WORK ALONE!

Some of the crappiest work Ive ever seen was done by good contractors' new helpers.
Also as a contractor myself I can say some of these guys are BAD NEWS. Of course I'm not, and MOST arent, but I do know a few crackheads in this area who do residential repairs.
I had my 38 yard concrete drive poured while on my last Disney trip, but the man in charge was my X-brother in law. I knew it was a safe deal. Everything worked out GREAT! No downtime due to an uncured driveway. By the time I got back it was safe to drive on.
If you dont know them. I agree with everyone else.

 

[kaw1218]

I don't recommend it. We had an addition built 2 years ago. we left for about 2 hours for lunch....the 'fit hit the shan' I tell ya.
definately a liability. and there were glitches in the architectural drawings, big mess. and on top of it all, one of the 'trusted' sub contractors stole my digital camera.(and there was no reason for them to even be in the house!)

 

[daisyduck123]

Can you ask your in-laws to stay at your house while your away?

 

[littleprissboutique]

Thanks guys. I dont know what to do.

Everyone will be on the trip - Inlaws, my family, the whole clan.

I am so urg...

 

[Us3]

I’d say trust your instincts. If you don’t feel comfortable, then don’t let them start. They work for you, and you are paying them…they should start when YOU are ready for them. JMO

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I wouldn't let them work on the house if your not there. There are so many things that could go wrong. Just the fact that you won't be able to oversee any of the work that he's going to be doing would be enough for me.

 

[dis-happy]

My friend had a big addition put onto the family house. The family was in and out during the process and they had a ton of things stolen from the bad subs (son's wallet, dvd player, camera, and more). I really wouldn't in your shoes. Do you know anybody that can stay? Someone from church, a college student, someone one of your friends' knows well? The other thing that happens when work is being done is that things come up during the process and the homeowner should be there to make the final decision. You may really regret not being there.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I dont think anyone has mentioned this, but it seems simplier to me to just postpone the trip. It will be slow season there for the next month.

 

[tarheel618]

No way. All these people will know that no one is at home and you have no idea who they will tell.

 

[littleprissboutique]

Yeah, I am terrified now because they do now we wont be home next week.

We can not postpone the trip. Done been paid for and we are flying. We have decided to tell our contractor that they will just have to get 4 days behind. I do not want to go to FL and not enjoy my vacation due to worry. I am going to have the police dept ( Chief is a really good friend of ours ) to keep an eye out for our home and at night. I am also going to have my mother in laws neighbor drive by our house ever day to see what is going on. We will be gone Sat - Thurs, but only 4 working days.

If they can work on the outside without needing inside my home that is fine, but I am still taking all my valuables to the inlaws house.!

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Good for you!
I think you made a wise choice. Just my opinion.

 

[java]

Oh and an added thought. What if they make a mistake while you are gone then continue on post the mistake to the point that it is unfixable. When our kitchen was being done I realized the guys were installing the tile upside down-- If I had not been home that would have been a big expense down the tubes.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Ive seen hot water ran to the toilet several times. Ive also seen (even more) the hot water ran to the icemaker. A lot of the old timers believe that hot water freezes faster than cold water.

 

[NotSoNewMommy]

So glad to hear you decided not to let them work on the house while you aren't home. I was thinking in my head the whole time NO WAY!!! Enjoy your trip!