Lately I’ve had a lot of residential customers wanting to give me their garage door codes or leave keys behind for me to get into their home while they’re at work, on vacation, etc. I’m a little uncomfortable with this. I’m honest to a fault (and certainly not concerned with hidden video cameras :)) but you never know… Yes, I’m bonded and insured. Am I worrying about nothing?
Many garage codes / spare keys left over the years and not a single problem has come up.
Although I did a bid once while this lady was home and her son was as well. I did not enter the house except to stand in the doorway at the end with her son while she came to look at the estimate. I got a call a few hours later and she was asking me a bunch of questions about something that was missing. I was kind of offended but she did have people there installing a hot tub and they looked like day workers.
Yes.
The only thing to worry about, Who was in the house before you or after you?
There is definately a risk. It is not uncommon for a customer of mine to leave and have us lock up on our way out. It is very difficult to prove theft unless you have solid evidence (a confession or caught on camera or a pawn shop record of what was pawned and who pawned it). My company has been accused 3 times over the 19 years in the wc business. ALL 3 times were cleared of any wrondoing. Items were misplaced in all three incidents. I am more cautious when other companies are present while we do interior work. If a thief is around when several workers are present on the job, he/she could take something. You may see this sort of thing happen more often these days with a poor economy. Think ahead. Do everthing possible to keep from getting set up!!!
good luck…you’re putting your self in a hard place
Its tuff call. I do it all the time with people I know. The first time cleaning I require them there to get a feel for the client. After that I will go in and do the work then lock up. I have had my share of video cameras but I don’t steal so it was not an issue. It only made the clients trust me more and I get great referals from them. I would say that if it makes YOU feel uneasy don’t do it.
Good topic. I just completed a house where the guy questioned me about a rare Breitling watch going missing. It could of been me or two other guys, I told the guy to phone the police - I also pointed out I don’t even wear a watch, I don’t like body furniture. Not to say that eliminates me, but I hate being put in that position, even to think the owner would think it was me.
Anybody have other ideas for some kind of “policy” when working in a house with valubles? I know someone mentioned to tell the owner to lock up all valuables in a previous post. But there must be some better ideas?
I’ve never had an issue. Never been accused, nothing ever gone missing from a home…
I wouldn’t suggest a policy, since it puts the idea in their head that something might disappear…
Perhaps I worded it wrong. Perhaps not a policy, but another way of making sure this never happens again & being asked?
It will happen to any window cleaner at sometime - it’s just a case of when. Be it money, a watch, mobile phone, wallet… Its usually the home owner mislaying stuff, but I can guarantee everyone who works in this game will be on the receiving end at some point.
I’d never take a responsibility of holding on to a key or knowing the code. I don’t want lawsuits. I had a family member cleaning houses and a customer accused her of stealing a necklace, she made huuuge deal out of it, court and what not, it turned out the customer misplaced the necklace and forgot about it.
I do it only with an established customer, thats just me…they obviously trust you which is good…
I never would do that on the first time. I do require my customers to be there the first time I do things. This way they know what to expect from me and me from them. Just an issue with everyone being on the same page. Customers appreciate this. 
Yeah, I can see that for sure
I have many keys to people’s million dollar homes. Never have had an issue in over 5 years. As a matter of fact i have begun to offer a home checkup service this year. (I mainly service weekend homes for the wealthy.)
I go in and make sure everything is in good working order. Ceiling fans are working, toliets are flushing, make sure there are no surprises for the weekend homeowner when they come to enjoy their stay. I have also bundled a window cleaning service with this where I clean their lake front home windows.
I can’t fault anyone who feels the need to cover his back in some way. I would think a policy should be presented with the best interests of both parties as key, not just how the window cleaner won’t be accused of something.
I guess I’m pretty trusting when a customer trusts me. On many occasions I’ve been told where a key is or a code during the first ever conversation, even before meeting the person or doing any work.
Some years ago an employee and I had just serviced a regular customer and 2 days later I heard on the radio that she had been robbed of $5,000 worth of jewelry. I was waiting for a visit by the police, but it never happened. She never treated me any differently and we still go there 4 times a year (tomorrow as a matter of fact).
I have learned a few lessons though. One employee that I hired out of desperation and eventually fired for being seriously undependable, was shot in the back a few days after being fired for trying to break into a bar. He served time. There was no way I would ever hire him back to bring him into my customer’s homes. I should have gone with my better judgment to begin with.
One other time, again out of desperation, I let a former employee who had his own WC business, help me on a big house, along with his 2 fly-by-night “employees”. The woman of the house reported jewelry stolen from the part of the house they cleaned. Of course, all 3 denied having stolen anything. She graciously just asked that I don’t bring extras in like that anymore.
So, one major thing is to trust yourself and every last one of your employees.
That’s where I make my stand.
I never will do the insides if they are not there, ever. I was in prison for armed robbery, and I heard SO many stories of petty things that couldve been avoided. This is one of those times. It may be different in other parts of the country but in big cities its all the same. Small towns where everyone knows each other dont think its an issue.
Another rule I have, I will never be in a house with a minor EVER EVER EVER!!!
Plus, I find that when they ask me and I say no I wont do it, it puts them at ease and helps them trust me more. Also, if I dont know them, they are there to make sure I dont have to come back for a stupid fingerprint, or a spot between panes that they feel may be my fault.
Nothing will probably happen, but what if something did happen. What if the house was robbed. Everyone who had access to the house would be under suspicion. Not that big a deal, but just being a suspect even just for questioning will make your rep look muddy in your customers’ eyes.
Just my opinion.
I can totally see where you are coming from here. Let me throw this out there. Lets say you have been doing jim bobs house for 5 years every 4-6 months. you are on a first name basis and you know his kids and they know personal info about you. lets say you have 5 or 6 windows inside left and they need to run out. will you stay and lock up when you leave if they trust you to do so?
New customers I can understand this policy but does the concern of caution still remain with long term clients?
Not something I’ve run across yet. Excellent point nevertheless.
hers another thing…lets say you are inside cleaning and the client has to leave for about 15 mins to pick the kids up for school and will be back. do you stay inside or go out side till they return?
