Workmen in your home - how do you handle if you are a woman alone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Also, most men aren't rapists or murderers.

No, but most rapists and murderers are men...

[Anonymous]

I work from home so I'm always around when repairs are being done. I make sure all of our stuff is out of the way in the area work is being done so by default, there won't be valuables around. I stay out of the way at my computer and just let them do their thing but let them know I'm around if they have any questions or need anything.

Agree with the PPs that if I don't trust you to be alone with my stuff, I'm not going to hire you anyways. Right now we are renting but I trust the maintenance guy my landlord employs and the contractors they've hired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm home with a workman who is installing some things in the bedrooms.

I feel a little weird to be standing over him watching - my husband does this well "so, tell me about that tool - is that a socket-wrench-hammer-thingy? Are those bracket-nails-thingies secure?" and he can observe the work being done and avoid leaving the worker alone in our house, but I feel weird to stand and watch and force small talk.

Also, wonder if anyone questions the safety of being a woman alone at home with workmen. I had 2 moments where I felt really nervous and nothing happened, but by the time I felt nervous, the man was in my home, doing the work; one of the times, I left the front door wide open and hung out in the foyer... Nothing happened either of those times...

good lord, your husband must drive these guys crazy!!

+1. "Why yes, sir, this is a socket-wrench-hammer-thingy. I can see why you needed to hire me."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Also, most men aren't rapists or murderers.

No, but most rapists and murderers are men...

And women...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's a rando?

I figure people can get the job done quicker if they are left alone. I'd personally be annoyed if someone was trying to chit chat if I had to concentrate. Just go to another room but be within earshot if he has to communicate something to you or wander by from time to time and see if he's making progress. If I thought he was about done, I'd try to be out in the open to hear the results and sign off on anything. If they are employed by a company, I kind of doubt they would do anything to you because you could report them. If it's a solo handyman or something, that's a different story.

Rando = random person "off the street"

[Anonymous]

Op - I am sure these guys just want to work for living just you and I... Don't treat them like criminals.

[Anonymous]

Sit down and read a book. They know the deal.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you hot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you hot?

Sizzling...

[Anonymous]

I am single mom. I don't just ignore them completely but do stick around for the first 10 -15 minutes because if they are going to find an additional issue it's usually then.

I always make sure that I am in the doorway or facing that way and do not get blocked in a room. I make sure to walk up the stairs after the workman and walk down after him. I leave the front door open (we have a storm door) for visibility. I always have my phone on me.

I have actually hired both companies as well as random people of craigslist to do work and never had a problem with any. You can get a general sense of people and how you feel. If you feel uncomfortable, ask them to leave - make up a story an emergency, whatever it takes. If you feel in danger leave the house right away (take pets with you if need be), don't worry about them being in left at your house alone, your stuff isn't as valuable as your life, go to a neighbor or walk to a visible location and call the police.

[Anonymous]

I never hire some rando. I use Angie's List.

[Anonymous]

I have so much second hand embarrassment for your husband right now.

I only hire referrals from friends. Only. I'd never hire a "rando" because quality is very important to me. I'm often alone in the house with workmen and I always feel safe because they come highly recommended from friends. You and your husband sound weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm home with a workman who is installing some things in the bedrooms.

I feel a little weird to be standing over him watching - my husband does this well "so, tell me about that tool - is that a socket-wrench-hammer-thingy? Are those bracket-nails-thingies secure?" and he can observe the work being done and avoid leaving the worker alone in our house, but I feel weird to stand and watch and force small talk.

Also, wonder if anyone questions the safety of being a woman alone at home with workmen. I had 2 moments where I felt really nervous and nothing happened, but by the time I felt nervous, the man was in my home, doing the work; one of the times, I left the front door wide open and hung out in the foyer... Nothing happened either of those times...

good lord, your husband must drive these guys crazy!!

Yeah, they want to be able to do their work in peace? I can see chatting here or there, but offer them some water and then stay out of the way.

[Anonymous]

I'm a contractor. I do high end custom homes and renovations. I understand that many women can feel uncomfortable with certain men in their homes. I tell my female clients that if they get a "vibe' or a feeling about any of my guys or subs to please let me know and I will ensure that either I don't send that worker to their house or I ensure that I will be at the house at the same time. I think as men we need to be more sensitive to how women can be made to feel threatened just buy a guy being a little off. I am also very vigilant with home with teenage daughters.

It cuts both ways though. I have a client that recently would not open the door for one of my regular guys. He has been at the house for the past six months, is very hard working, but he is latino. He knocked on the door to drop off some materials at the end of the day, coming from another job. He got to the house around 6pm. She looked at him through the window but would not let him in the house. This client is definitely a little off when it comes to her perception of safety so I try to be understanding. That said, I am very fond and have immense respect for my guy and I could tell that he felt wounded and hurt by the client not letting him in the house. Its a large, lucrative job that I am now considering not finishing. I understand the client's hangs up, I get it. But when you cross the line and disrespect a hard working young man, and maybe because his skin is brown, well then I'm not sure I want to work for you - no matter how much money you have.

Hire very carefully, be street smart. But remember it cuts both ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a contractor. I do high end custom homes and renovations. I understand that many women can feel uncomfortable with certain men in their homes. I tell my female clients that if they get a "vibe' or a feeling about any of my guys or subs to please let me know and I will ensure that either I don't send that worker to their house or I ensure that I will be at the house at the same time. I think as men we need to be more sensitive to how women can be made to feel threatened just buy a guy being a little off. I am also very vigilant with home with teenage daughters.

It cuts both ways though. I have a client that recently would not open the door for one of my regular guys. He has been at the house for the past six months, is very hard working, but he is latino. He knocked on the door to drop off some materials at the end of the day, coming from another job. He got to the house around 6pm. She looked at him through the window but would not let him in the house. This client is definitely a little off when it comes to her perception of safety so I try to be understanding. That said, I am very fond and have immense respect for my guy and I could tell that he felt wounded and hurt by the client not letting him in the house. Its a large, lucrative job that I am now considering not finishing. I understand the client's hangs up, I get it. But when you cross the line and disrespect a hard working young man, and maybe because his skin is brown, well then I'm not sure I want to work for you - no matter how much money you have.

Hire very carefully, be street smart. But remember it cuts both ways.

Did you call in advance and let her know? I do not always open the door if I do not know someone is coming. Neighbor kids know to yell if it is an emergency and they need me. Or, I could be sleeping in the back bedroom and not hear as I need to sleep a lot. We are in a remodel and our electrician has sent his helper, who is a nice guy, but asks me in advanced. If they have a key, they call or text and if I do not anwser they yell up. They know we have crazy family stuff and part of it is a safety issue. That would be crappy to not finish over an late evening drop off you probably did not coordinate.