Home Improvement Contractor - Licensed Contractors

Is it wise to leave door key to paint contractor?

I'm having my new house painted by paint contractor and the whole job will take about 5-6 days. What is typically the common practice here: do I leave the door key with the contractor for the whole week so he can get in/out, OR do I open the door for him in the morning and lock it when the day is done? I don't currently live in the new place so having to drive back and forth to open/close the door for the painters is kind of a hassle. But if I leave the key with him I'm worried he'll make a duplicate of it or something. What to do? Please advise. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. Never leave a key. If you can't be there find someone who can be there for you. Since youre not living there yet the other option would be to change all the locks once he is finished and before you move in.
2. No do not leave a key. Hire a Personal Concierge to stay at the house and wait if you don't have a friend or relative to do it. There will be a fee per hour, but atleast you can rest easy. My business does this in Kansas City. Just do a search on whitepages.com or superpages.com and try to find one. www.yourlistisourlist.com
3. My husband is a painting contractor and it's typical that people give him keys for the duration of the job. If you hire a reputable contractor you shouldn't have to worry. Make sure he is licensed (you can always check online) and don't feel bad about asking for references - and then check those references.You having to drive back and forth to open and lock the house is not only a hassle for you, but for them as well, since they may not be able to adhere to your exact schedule.
4. NO ABSOLUTLEY NOT! he could do anything never leave a key to anyone you don't trust or is you good friend, that is honest
5. I would go to Walmart and buy a $10 lock and install it. Give him the key and then when he is done, change back. Never give anyone your keys with your housekey on it. And certainly never give anyone any of your keys. If something were to happen, the first question the police ask is who has keys or who has had keys and then they give you that look. . .
6. Even if you know and trust your contractor,who know about the employees he has running in and out. DON'T LEAVE A KEY or anything else that you don't want stolen.