Do you leave workmen in your house?

Definitely! I'd go insane if I had to stay in the house whilst works were taking place. If the job is a quick hour then I'd stay but plastering and the like I'd leave them to it.

God yeah! Our plasterers let themselves in whilst we were on holiday. They just text me to let me know when it was finished. Came home to a lovely smooth kitchen! We've had builders, plumbers, electricians, window fitters in unaccompanied. It's not a problem.

We're lucky in that we have a network of good builders that we trust and we give them the keys/alarm code etc.

I'd be a bit worried leaving someone if I didn't know them well.

No we wouldn't if the works are inside the house - if it's outside then yes, and one time we weren't there when our windows were being painted (but the doors were locked). We've never had big jobs that last that long though - a day or two max so I'm always able to take the time off.

My brother does though, when he has had lengthy work done. However he works and lives in a small village and knows the workmen well. We on the other hand live in a large town and don't know any of the workmen we have! I also work for the police which may have instilled paranoia ?