How can I secure valuables and limit access while contractors work in my home?

Quick answer

Secure valuables by removing them from the home or locking them in a heavy, anchored safe; restrict access with smart locks and unique, time-limited codes; lock non-work rooms with keyed interior knobs; create a defined “contractor zone” using temporary barriers; document what you’ve stored; and set expectations in writing. Change codes and verify doors/windows daily.

Why this matters

Even reputable crews include subs and deliveries you may not know. Clear access rules, physical barriers, and locked storage reduce temptation, confusion, and accidental wander. The goal is to make the work area efficient while the rest of your home stays private and protected.

Step-by-step plan

1–2 weeks before work starts

• Vet the company: confirm license, bond, and certificate of insurance naming you as additional insured. Ask who will be onsite daily.
• Decide what leaves the house:
  • Jewelry, small electronics, passports, checkbooks, spare keys, meds. Move to a bank box or a trusted off-site location.
• Inventory and document:
  • Photos or video of rooms and valuables; keep serial numbers for electronics.
• Upgrade access control:
  • Exterior: Install a smart deadbolt and issue a unique contractor code with working hours (e.g., 7am–5pm). Keep your primary code private.
  • Interior: Replace knobs on non-work rooms with keyed entry knobs or add hasp + padlock to closets/cabinets that hold valuables.
• Define the contractor zone:
  • Use temporary dust barriers and signage to mark no-go rooms.
• Optional monitoring:
  • Place visible cameras in common areas (not bathrooms/bedrooms). Disable audio if your local law requires two-party consent.

Day before

• Remove or lock away small valuables and prescriptions.
• Lock non-work rooms; place simple “No Access” signs.
• Create and test contractor door code; verify it opens only the needed door.
• Walk the site with the lead: review areas, bathrooms they may use, and what’s off-limits.

During the job

• Keep exterior doors used by the crew unlocked only during working hours.
• Do a quick end-of-day check: exterior doors/windows latched, codes still active as planned, non-work rooms locked.
• Secure garage remotes and vehicle keys.

After completion

• Delete contractor codes and rekey if you handed out physical keys.
• Final walkthrough with the lead. Confirm windows/attic/side gates are secured.

Tools and materials

• Smart deadbolt (Schlage Encode, Kwikset Halo, Yale Assure): $120–$250; 30–60 min DIY install.
• Interior keyed entry knobs or levers for non-work rooms: $20–$40 each; 10–20 min/door.
• Closet/cabinet hasp + padlock (use through-bolts, not short screws): $20–$40 per door.
• Small fire-resistant safe for documents/meds (SentrySafe/First Alert): $70–$150. Medium safe for valuables: $300–$800; anchor to floor.
• Portable lockbox for keys (realtor-style): $30–$50.
• Security cable lock for laptops/camera gear: $15–$40.
• Indoor cameras with local or cloud storage (Wyze Cam v3, Ring Indoor): $35–$100.
• Dust barrier system (ZipWall) to define work zones: $120–$250.

Technical note for swapping door hardware:

Standard interior door bore: 2-1/8"
Backset: 2-3/8" (most interiors) or 2-3/4"
Latch hole (edge): 1"
Door thickness: 1-3/8" typical interior


Practical examples

• Kitchen remodel: Install a smart deadbolt on the side door the crew uses and give a 7am–5pm code. Lock office and bedroom doors with keyed knobs. Use a ZipWall to isolate the hallway. Store laptops in a locked closet with a hasp + padlock.
• Whole-house flooring: Move jewelry and meds off-site; anchor a mid-size safe for documents you need to access. Cameras cover front entry and living room (no audio). Set separate codes for GC and flooring sub; delete codes as each phase ends.

Safety and legal considerations

• Keep egress paths clear: don’t lock doors needed for fire escape. Don’t block the electrical panel, gas shutoff, or water main.
• Cameras: Avoid bedrooms/bathrooms. Check local audio-recording laws; visible notice to workers is a good practice.
• Hasps on hollow-core doors: use through-bolts with large washers to resist prying, or upgrade the door slab if you need real security.
• Pets: Board, crate, or confine safely away from the work area to avoid escapes and bites.

Tips for best results

• Issue unique, expiring codes for each company and phase. Delete codes promptly.
• Put access rules in the contract: areas permitted, working hours, bathrooms designated, and a no-photo policy inside the home.
• Ask the GC to provide a job box for their tools so they don’t “borrow” a garage or office for storage.
• Use “No Access” signs and painter’s tape across hallways as visual reminders.
• Don’t leave tip envelopes or cash where crews work; pay electronically or off-site.
• Notify a neighbor of the schedule so they can call you if they see off-hours activity.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sharing your permanent home code or handing out master keys.
• Leaving spare keys under a mat, in a planter, or on the kitchen hook.
• Forgetting windows: workers may open them for dust control and leave them unlocked.
• Keeping prescriptions in the bathroom used by the crew.
• Posting project dates on public social media during the job.

When to call a pro

• Locksmith: Rekeying locks, installing keypad deadbolts, or adding interior keyed knobs quickly and cleanly.
• Security installer: Whole-home camera setup, NVR configuration, and network segmentation so cams don’t slow your Wi‑Fi.
• Safe specialist: Moving/anchoring a 200+ lb safe without damaging floors.

With a few targeted hardware upgrades, clear ground rules, and daily habits, you’ll protect your belongings and maintain privacy while giving contractors the access they need to do quality work.