Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Alis girls]

Am I the only female who hates having them in the house? Our plumber and builder are fine but the dishwasher man is a grump who obviously hates women. However today a different dishwasher man came - not very chatty just huffed and puffed stared down the hose for some reason I couldnt quite fathom possibly looking for inspiration - good luck with that mate - clean out of it in this house. Anyway left him huffing and a puffing on the kitchen floor watched by the cat I hope he can fix as I hate washing dishes and have becomes very lazy since having a dishwasher despite OH pointing out we were the last to get one. :lifes too short for washing dishes and its ruins your hands.

[Cat tails]

Always offer loads of coffee and biscuits to workmen is my policy! They work better on loads of coffee I guess.

[Alis girls]

I always offer tea and coffee. Didnt help that the cat was watching him closely - he loves long things to play with and I could see the pipe disappearing fast.

[mullethunter]

I hate having anyone I don't know in the house. Just makes me feel awkward.

[gavclojak]

Oh Ali I feel your pain, I had the most heinous dishwasher repair guy last year, he was an absolute #%^%# the minute he walked through the door he had a bad attitude.....

[Luvachicken]

We have washing up gloves in our house.

No space for a dishwasher or a tumble dryer

 

I agree cups of tea, biscuits etc should be offered but I always think they should at least do a bit of work first, unless its boiling hot or freezing cold.

[Valkyrie]

When the builders did our stairs they were fab. Really pleased with the result, but as it was so hot I bought ice creams and lollies. That went down really well. Also gave them orange juice and lemonade as a cooler.

But there have been dreadful people here on and off and one I just couldn't wait for him and his son-in-law to get out even if the job was unfinished. And then there have been some jewels that I'd be happy to have back.

[chickencam]

I know what you mean, we have done pretty well recently but we are a very private family so having anyone in the house for me is hard. That includes my own family

 

I am feeling apprehensive about having DS and his girlfriend here for a week next week. I have only met her a few times and her mother made DS so welcome when he went to America last year, so I feel that I need to make an effort.

[Valkyrie]

Probably the other way round here - they can't wait to escape the crazy woman that isn't let out much!

 

Edited to add Chickencam - just be yourself. Don't try too hard, go with the flow and then you will ease into company.

[percy049]

If they're hot its fine

[Cinnamon]

Point of view from the other side....The Husband is someone who has to work in peoples houses, & sometimes (but not too often) he is made to feel awkward & not wanted, like he is an intruder.

Makes it hard for him to do his job if people .... like where he is working at the moment....refuse to clear out rooms so he can crack on & do the work he has been hired to do

Mostly people are nice to him & make him cups of tea, which he loves. Once a wonderful lady gave him a 3 course meal every day!

 

He is one of the good guys too, & is easy company to have around the house, but some people seem to take an instant dislike to anyone being on their territory & even seem to think he is only there to rip them off

Edited March 14, 2015 by Guest

[Littlebitoginger]

We had a green oak framed room built last year (still on going) and had some fabulous trades people.......and a couple not so.

Sadly the joiners who built the frame would arrive at 9am - cuppa. 10am down tools, pull out some garden chairs and have a late breakfast 11am cuppa, this too involved sitting down. 1pm lunch, another sit down for 20 mins half hour. Around 3.30pm they were winding it down and packing up and gone by 4pm. We ended up having a word with them and it all sadly became a bit awkward.

 

After ten months of every trade going stomping through our house, getting through their body weight in tea and munchies, I was very glad when they all left!

[Charlottechicken]

I'm another one who isn't comfy having workmen around . However, we are well into sorting out the new house (country cottage ) and we've had a few lovely and helpful local tradesmen in so far for day jobs, tree felling, stump grinding, fencing and shed base laying, and all have been offered hourly tea breaks with biscuits or cake, as the work is really heavy going. It really seems to break down barriers and help the atmosphere

 

Not sure I will be offering hourly tea and coffee to the builder when they start the garage conversion though

[chickencam]

Although I am uncomfortable with people in the house I am always friendly and offer tea and biscuits, I have found that most tradespeople drink tea not coffe and fake one sugar. One of the guys who fitted our windows 18months ago said this was because it saved confusion if they all had the same. They were a great bunch and worked very hard and got the job done neatly and super quick. Whereas the two guys who did the carpet in the hall stairs and landing last year were grumpy and dismissive and charged a small fortune.

[Alis girls]

Gavclojak we must have the same DW man. Yesterdays wasnt bad. The usual one directs all questions to OH and has shares in Finish. So glad wasnt him. I have never had a "fit" workman in the house - always grumpy, tubby and look like a coronary waiting to happen

[patsylabrador]

I'd rather have workmen in the house than relatives to be honest. They're there to do a job, they don't need entertaining and they're often very funny and love to gossip about other householders. They are as keen to leave as I am keen for them to go so there is no awkward ' you're expecting another meal before you leave?' type moment.

[Egluntyne]

Ditto to Patsylabrador's post. They are there to do a job,and not everyone can chat and work at the same time.

[Olly]

Thank you for the above - that's quite refreshing! Like others, I feel a bit uncomfortable having a stranger in the house (family and friends are welcome though! ) I usually provide tea and biscuits and leave them to their own devices, in fact if I can I arrange to go out. In future I'll do that with a clear conscience and not worry that I'm being rude!

[Cinnamon]

My Husband LOVES being left alone in a house to do his job, with the owner showing him where the kettle is

He reckons he works twice as fast than when he has a customer peering over his shoulder asking him why he is doing what he is doing, & has he ever thought about doing it another way

 

He likes chatting, but not too much - he prefers working!

 

He is on a nightmare job at the moment. He has been contracted out for the work & the builder didn't tell him that the house owner is a a: hoarder & b: the most boring man on the planet who never shuts up.

 

Poor Brian comes home at night annoyed & wanting LOTS of sympathy & peace & quiet

[chickencam]

Sounds like my brother in law

[Cinnamon]

Sounds like my brother in law

 

 

LOL!

(he doesn't live in Bucks does he?)

[chickencam]

Nope fortunately I can be pretty sure that it isn't him. They have had some interesting comments from tradespeople in the past, just getting across a room in their house is a challenge.