Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 15, 2016 6:39 pm This is the first time Hubby and I have built and we weren't aware that while the builders install keyed locks they don't lock them (keyed locks). We assumed they were locked like the doors and as a result didn't think to lock them. Four days after handover thieves had easy entry to our house and stole our hotplate. Is it common knowledge that builders don't utilise the keyed window locks? Re: Security - New Builds 2Apr 15, 2016 6:49 pm Once you had handover, the security of the property became entirely your responsibility. I wasn't overly conceded with what the builder did or didn't do during the build because, while they had possession of the site, they were liable. I did know how our locks worked and ensured the house was secure once it was ours though. I don't think you can lay any responsibility on your builder for the theft four days after handover. Re: Security - New Builds 3Apr 15, 2016 7:03 pm Thanks for your reply... I'm just interested to know whether it's common knowledge that the windows aren't locked at handover. I assumed they were (because doors are required to be locked) but apparently no builder locks windows. Re: Security - New Builds 4Apr 15, 2016 7:18 pm I would usually expect the windows to be closed and latched, but probably without the key locks locked. But given how often building sites get left with windows or doors open, it wouldn't surprise me if they left one open. Re: Security - New Builds 5Apr 15, 2016 10:08 pm I wouldn't expect the windows to be locked either (closed and latched, yes). Also from what I understand from what happened at our settlement, it's the office that has the permanent keys to the house (front door, windows, sliding doors, etc), it's only the wood doors (internal & external garage & front door) that are fitted with "builders locks" that have the "universal" key until your own, permanent key is used. Think of how many houses a site supervisor looks after, it would be an absolute nightmare if they had to carry a key for the windows and sliding doors for every house. We were handed a MASSIVE envelope of keys at handover, and in the case of our sliding doors the keys were sent from the manufacturer to our builder with dozens of others with no ID on them so they had to go through and figure out which keys belonged to which house. It was apparently a bit of a nightmare. We built the Rathdowne with Simonds Express in Western Melbourne Site start Oct. 2015 Keys Jan. 25th, 2015 My build thread -here- Re: Security - New Builds 6Apr 15, 2016 10:28 pm All our windows and doors are always locked when the site is closed. Custom knockdown rebuild Newcastle NSW viewtopic.php?t=78271 Re: Security - New Builds 7Apr 15, 2016 10:54 pm Leksie5000 All our windows and doors are always locked when the site is closed. Custom knockdown rebuild Newcastle NSW viewtopic.php?t=78271 Someone actually goes around and locks -with a key- every single window that gets opened each day? Really? We have 10 lockable windows in our house, 3 sliding doors, and 3 other lockable doors. Because of the extra keys (only 3 doors accept the builders key) it would be absolutely impossible for this to happen at our place and I'd say most places. That would mean either every single different tradie would have to have keys for all the windows and doors for all the houses they service OR our poor SS would have to drive around to each house he looked after with a massive key ring and lock up each window/door every single day (AND go and unlock them each morning so the tradies could get some fresh air). No way, it's a logistical nightmare. So unless your builder is the sole person on the job or you personally are locking up each night and unlocking each morning it just wouldn't happen. (No question windows should be closed and latched as well as sliding doors and lockable outside doors locked with a key every single day but like I said it's basically an impossibility for windows to be "dead locked" every single day). We built the Rathdowne with Simonds Express in Western Melbourne Site start Oct. 2015 Keys Jan. 25th, 2015 My build thread -here- Security - New Builds 8Apr 16, 2016 2:29 am Megera Leksie5000 All our windows and doors are always locked when the site is closed. Custom knockdown rebuild Newcastle NSW viewtopic.php?t=78271 Someone actually goes around and locks -with a key- every single window that gets opened each day? Really? We have 10 lockable windows in our house, 3 sliding doors, and 3 other lockable doors. Because of the extra keys (only 3 doors accept the builders key) it would be absolutely impossible for this to happen at our place and I'd say most places. That would mean either every single different tradie would have to have keys for all the windows and doors for all the houses they service OR our poor SS would have to drive around to each house he looked after with a massive key ring and lock up each window/door every single day (AND go and unlock them each morning so the tradies could get some fresh air). No way, it's a logistical nightmare. So unless your builder is the sole person on the job or you personally are locking up each night and unlocking each morning it just wouldn't happen. (No question windows should be closed and latched as well as sliding doors and lockable outside doors locked with a key every single day but like I said it's basically an impossibility for windows to be "dead locked" every single day). Yeah and there's plenty of windows. No need to carry keys, there's a key safe. No need for lots of confusing keys, all the windows are keyed the same.. Trades just use the key safe and tidy behind them as they go.. Windows that don't need to be opened aren't opened and there isn't any lock. If they're in the main room they just open the stacker doors. It's open plan so not that hard. Our builder is a very by the book master builder and calls them out if they don't do the right thing.. Trades and other people eg engineers often comment his sites are the tidiest they see, never much of any rubbish anywhere as they are told to put their stuff in the bin! And use the wiz bin if it will blow away lol. He never lifts a finger in curfew hours, etc etc. Re: Security - New Builds 9Apr 16, 2016 9:03 am Leksie5000 Megera Leksie5000 All our windows and doors are always locked when the site is closed. Custom knockdown rebuild Newcastle NSW viewtopic.php?t=78271 Someone actually goes around and locks -with a key- every single window that gets opened each day? Really? We have 10 lockable windows in our house, 3 sliding doors, and 3 other lockable doors. Because of the extra keys (only 3 doors accept the builders key) it would be absolutely impossible for this to happen at our place and I'd say most places. That would mean either every single different tradie would have to have keys for all the windows and doors for all the houses they service OR our poor SS would have to drive around to each house he looked after with a massive key ring and lock up each window/door every single day (AND go and unlock them each morning so the tradies could get some fresh air). No way, it's a logistical nightmare. So unless your builder is the sole person on the job or you personally are locking up each night and unlocking each morning it just wouldn't happen. (No question windows should be closed and latched as well as sliding doors and lockable outside doors locked with a key every single day but like I said it's basically an impossibility for windows to be "dead locked" every single day). Yeah and there's plenty of windows. No need to carry keys, there's a key safe. No need for lots of confusing keys, all the windows are keyed the same.. Trades just use the key safe and tidy behind them as they go.. Windows that don't need to be opened aren't opened and there isn't any lock. If they're in the main room they just open the stacker doors. It's open plan so not that hard. Our builder is a very by the book master builder and calls them out if they don't do the right thing.. Trades and other people eg engineers often comment his sites are the tidiest they see, never much of any rubbish anywhere as they are told to put their stuff in the bin! And use the wiz bin if it will blow away lol. He never lifts a finger in curfew hours, etc etc. Maybe that's the difference between small/custom builders and volume builders. Even with a key safe I couldn't see it working well over that many sites. Our site was also kept really clean, I was always really impressed whenever we were on site that there wasn't any rubbish around (next door is another matter ). We built the Rathdowne with Simonds Express in Western Melbourne Site start Oct. 2015 Keys Jan. 25th, 2015 My build thread -here- Re: Security - New Builds 10Apr 16, 2016 12:34 pm Our supervisor did have a set of our house keys because he left us two spares in the kitchen drawer (I had to double check the number when we were broken into to make sure the burglars hadn't taken any)... considering he did have our actual house keys I can't imagine it would have been too difficult to have one for the window locks and just lock them the once at the final inspection we had at the house same day as handover? It's already happened now so we've just fixed it up and learned our lesson for next time. There is just so much theft at building sites.. so frustrating! 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