Was the boiler man out of order?

He said he'd never had any complaints - as tiredoldwoman says, his clients are just glad he turned up;

It wouldn't bother me either . I would have just been delighted that he'd turned as promised ! Then given the worktop a bleachy wash .

I agree thatbags and penstemmon.
It wouldn't bother me.
Our boilerman is due this pm - due to a recurrent problem with our old boiler. I'll have to ask him what he thinks

It would take less than a minute to spray & wipe a kitchen surface..no harm done!

Not harsh at all, just plain sense. Hard surfaces are easy to clean.

I'd probably be miffed about a footprint on a bed sheet too. Was there only a sheet on the bed? No blankets/duvets/bedspreads? How weird.

That is harsh thatbags I would be annoyed too if that happened to me . It reminds me of going to Butlins when our children were young. A light did not work and the man they sent to change the bulb stood on a bed to change it and left a great big footprint on the sheet. We complained about that.

Kitchen surfaces don't need to be sterile anyway. It's a kitchen, not an operating theatre.

Same here, pen. All you need is a bit of soap and hot water (actually, I think cold water works too). Do you actually prepare food directly on your kitchen work surfaces? Even if you do, work surfaces are washable, same as chopping boards.

Where was he supposed to stand to reach the boiler? The counter would be less safe with a towel on it too—the towel could slip and he could fall.

Just clean the dirt up, for goodness' sake!

Oh!I would not have been v bothered! I do it all the time to change a light bulb, sort out the blind when it gets stuck. Find this obsession with cleanliness &germs unhealthy!

Northamptonshire was part of another conversation at that time and Corby looked quite right but Corgi is of course the correct title for registration of fitters. Sorry.

My first thought was that his boots might scratch the worktop. It can always be cleaned - scratches are generally a permanent issue.

I agree with Joannenewton - he was out of order but keep it in proportion - one wipe over with dettol is enough! However I would complain to his company - he should know not to do that!

My boiler man always climbs on the worktop as it's the only way to reach the boiler. BUT he always puts a sheet down first. Complaint to the company required but keep it in perspective - one go with dettol is enough!

Of course he was out of order. I'm sure he or his employed would not have wanted the bill for a new workshop had he scratched it.

Yes, radicalnan I can relate to that. I had to wipe over the boiler after the man had installed the 'smartmeter'. I provided a folding step for him to use so he didn't have to stand on the worktop.
Also the so-called 'smartmeter' lost the signal after about ten days so that was a load of b@!l*:£s wasn't it?

I recently requested a quote for a new bathroom installation.

When the chap turned up he pulled out a pair of blue plastic bags to put over his outdoor shoes before he proceeded upstairs.

I was genuinely surprised and pleased to say the least.

I have never encountered this behaviour before.
I wish all tradesmen would do the same.

If someone had trampled all over my worktop, I could not have kept quiet.

Was too fussy. I wouldn't have even batted an eyelid and I'm as houseproud as the next person. Mind you, I have lived through lots of house renovations, so am probably immune to the faux pas(?) of the trades!

Definitely should have asked for something to stand on (old towelm of sheet even paper ! especially on a kitchen worktop ! but if he didn't damage anything all you can do it give it a deep clean ...and possibly keep an old sheet folded away in a kitchen cupboard in case it ever happens again !

Here I find the opposite ....workmen come to the door in muddy boots and apologise and ask if they should remove them ...no, not a problem I say ..I have white tiles in the house and all they need is a quick Dettol spray and floor cleaner from my spray mop or the steam mop and hey presto ! as clean as before ...I think my cats are far worse ...you never know what they have been putting their feet in !!!! I tell them to wipe their paws on the mat but they take no notice !

If you have carpet that must be worse ,,,,, !

Completely out of order, i would be horrified and out with the dettol too. I was amazed recently when plumbers from two different companies didn't wash thier hands after fixing our loo. Basic hygiene i think.

No it wasn't right, but I'd have disinfected the unit once then forgot about it! He could ve done worse! Anyway, paper/plastic overshoes are dirt cheap so keep a pack in and ask workmen to use them .

The workmen employed by the local council are usually pretty good, but a while ago a man came to do a repair in the bathroom. I heard him sawing a piece of wood, and after he left I found that he had laid the wood over the new wooden toilet seat and had sawn into the lid. I wasn't too pleased as the seat was a decorated one and was white, so the saw mark really showed up. The council offered to give me a new plastic seat!

It's Gas Safe these days, CardiffJaguar, not Gorgi.

An ignorant man? who took advantage of you and I doubt he would,if he was married, done that in his own house.
You have every right to complain and I would have a quiet
word with his company and make it clear to them and why you do not want that engineer in your property again.
I have had the same engineer for my central heating boiler for the last ten years. The company email me two weeks before the service is due and I have always made it clear who I want.I would go as far as changing the date if my regular engineer is not available Better the devil you know.

To do that work he has to be Corby registered and that is not acceptable. You should report him to them.

I always give them plastic overshoes ..... Though they look at me like I'm stark raving mad!