hiring local help

JenB Active member

Member since 29 November 2011

JenBActive member09 January 2012 11:43:44

hello everyone. I am considering buying a house in Marrakesh and at least initially I would live there only part time--so I would be leaving the house empty for several months at a time. How difficult would it be to find someone local to be a caretaker for the property while I am away? This would be someone who would just generally keep an eye on things, collect delivered mail, make sure everything is secure or notify me if there is a problem. Do people make these arrangements often with locals, when they will be absent periodically? Can you find reliable people for this?

If I leave the house unattended for some months, what is the risk of this being noticed and someone breaking in to steal things?

Also, I may want to hire someone to do light housekeeping on a weekly basis (when I am around) and cook a few meals during the week. Where can I find someone reliable to do this job, and how much does it generally cost?

Lastly, if I need to hire labor to do renovations, where is a good place to locate good skilled labor (plastering, plumbing and electrical work, etc.) and where does one find materials for do-it-yourself projects?

Thank you for your advice!

Jen

Harmonie ViP

Member since 13 June 2011

HarmonieViP09 January 2012 11:57:35

19273

Hello Jen, I invite you to post your adverts in Marrakech classifieds > Jobs section, this may help.

Harmonie.

Moroccan1 Serial expat

Member since 05 August 2011

Moroccan1Serial expat09 January 2012 12:25:55

389

hey dear !! just put an announce that u need a guard !! alot of people do that to find a Guard to their villa or u contact some company majoring in security 'll give u one , If I leave the house unattended for some months don't worry cuzz also moroccan people leave their house for month or 2 but thet find their house as they leave it no steal no break cuzz the builing of the house there is hard to steal and to enter it just lock the windows and doors good but to conformt u'rself put a gurad !!! u'r nighboor 'll help u to find one just ask them !!

shak4969 Contributor

Member since 28 February 2011

shak4969Contributor09 January 2012 13:14:36

179

JenB,

finding locals to take care of your house while you're away is not a problem at all. everyone does so. leaving the house unattended months at a time is not good bet. all of your questions are easy to answer and solve, I think they are secondary, but I do understand your wondering about these things. The most important thing is did you find the house you wanna buy? real estate in Marrakesh can cost an arm and a leg, depending on the location. Are you still shopping around?

JenB Active member

Member since 29 November 2011

JenBActive member11 January 2012 11:59:49

Thank you...I have found several houses I am interested in buying, but nothing is final. I know that questions about security while away may seem trivial, but I would rather know up front what the issues and options are going to be before I commit to a major purchase, you know? The information here is very helpful, thanks to everyone who has replied to my post!

Jen