Does anyone else just hate having workmen in the house?

I always offer them drinks but they generally refuse and just crack on with the job. I just go on with whatever Im doing. They just call me when they're ready to leave.

I never "watch" tradespeople unless they are demonstrating something I have to learn - like how to interpret the display on the boiler. My nephew fixes computers and he says he hates people standing over him unless he needs some input to ascertain what the fault it. He more or less had to rebuild one of my desktops a few weeks ago and I just went to bed for an hour. Did that while the electrician fitted a new consumer unit because the power was off.

Oh yes me. Never used to mind it when younger but now I hate it it. We have decorators starting today two men for two days so not too long but their doing the hall stairs and landing, kitchen and downstairs loo so that puts the whole house out of use really. Where going out for lunch 😀

Oh I just hate having workmen around the house. Just had most of downstairs done latter part of last year, except the lounge, which was pretty good. Lo and behold, I then noticed just before Xmas a brown patch on the lounge ceiling, (leak from upstairs shower) - got the shower sorted, but decided to leave the lounge till later, say the Summer. The thought of the ensuing work to remove everything from the glass case etc etc etc just gives me a nervous breakdown. I don’t use the lounge very often so I think I’ll just ignore the patch 😫

Ah, I see. I've never heard of that. Is it usual with small domestic projects? It's worth bearing in mind for future, not that we have anything big planned. Thanks.

No Later Than.

Is it Not Later Than ? Just guessing - sorry Norah..

To be fair, the job is finished, and he is doing me a favour by adding extra shelves. It's still annoying to be messed around though. What's an NLT date, please?

Doodledog

I am waiting for the carpenter to fit three new shelves - one long one for books, and two to go in a cupboard to store CDs . He was supposed to be coming today, so we moved hundreds of CDs out of a cupboard onto the dining room table, and I didn't sort out more books to go out to a charity collection that happened this morning. He didn't come. That's the sort of thing that I find maddening. We now have nowhere to eat tonight, and it will be a month before I can arrange another collection for the books. In my experience builders etc don't consider (or don't care about) the inconvenience of last minute changes of plan. It's just work for them, but it's home for their clients.

FWIW, we have all contracts written with a NLT date.

We don't put up with tardy behaviour and bad excuses. If a real reason is put forward we allow changes, otherwise we apply the contractual fees regarding timeliness. Good business.

I am waiting for the carpenter to fit three new shelves - one long one for books, and two to go in a cupboard to store CDs . He was supposed to be coming today, so we moved hundreds of CDs out of a cupboard onto the dining room table, and I didn't sort out more books to go out to a charity collection that happened this morning. He didn't come. That's the sort of thing that I find maddening. We now have nowhere to eat tonight, and it will be a month before I can arrange another collection for the books. In my experience builders etc don't consider (or don't care about) the inconvenience of last minute changes of plan. It's just work for them, but it's home for their clients.

I hate it so much that I only have work done that’s strictly necessary.
My DD says I need a new kitchen, but I remember the fitting in the early 80s and I can’t face that again even though it’s looking tired (new flooring and blinds though!)

nadateturbe

You all seem very happy with your tradesmen. I must be unfortunate.

Oh, we have had the same decorator for a number of years last year he decided to turn up when we had GC staying so we went out for walks and trips.
We came back to a total mess, the GC found his glasses and said"? has left his glasses", I couldn't help myself and responded by saying "I wish he had, had the bloody things on". 50p in their swear box.

Yes, I hate it too, it feels as if there's an invader in the house. I've a plumber coming round next week to work in the kitchen and as I'm the first job of the day I'm hoping he'll be gone by lunchtime. I'll stay in the sitting room with my knitting, out of the way.

He was such a nice man that I tried not to mind! Made a lovely job of the tiling too.

Oh Aveline that’s reminded me of the tuneless whistling kitchen fitter!! It was like nails down a blackboard.

Our last lot included included a not very talented but undaunted singer! He was hilarious.

Quokka

Builders are well aware of how people feel about them in the house a builder friend told me. ‘They just want the job done and us gone!’ Can’t be nice for them.

Well the job can’t be done unless they are on site so spare a thought for their feelings too.

I always have tea, coffee, biscuits for builders, husbands employees. Workers are spared nattering on - whilst I'm doing in a different space.

Rosalyn69

I hate it but my husband insists on making them coffee and engaging them in conversation. Nightmare.

😂 just what DP does too.Especially chat about motorbikes and cars.
I don’t mind too much, having workmen in for jobs as I know that way it’ll be done well at least and results worth it.

Builders are well aware of how people feel about them in the house a builder friend told me. ‘They just want the job done and us gone!’ Can’t be nice for them.

Well the job can’t be done unless they are on site so spare a thought for their feelings too.

As wehave lived in our current home, in a village, for 25 years and try to only use builders advertising in the parish magazine or another local freeby, we are always employing people who live in the village. One used to live opposite us.

The main company we use was just starting out when we moved here. It is now a big local building contractor and we have known a lot of the tradesmen for years.

DH had his heart attack 3 days after our Kitchen refit started, when all the old units were out and the fitter had started knocking down a wall. Too much done to put it on hold. Our fitter lives just down the road and he was a tower of strength. I had to leave him most afternoons to get to the hospital to visit - it is 15 miles away. He was meticulous about locking up. We have since had himback to do further work in our utility room and he is due back to do some work on a bathroom.

I don't like it either and I feel worse the older I get. I hate having salesmen here too - seen quite a few of those lately and all were pushy and obnoxious.

I don't prefer anyone to be in our home apart from family.

We typically do for ourselves, except the actual physical building of extensions, mansard roof to loft, windows along backside, adding conservatory. We stay home while work is done. We've renovated what were 4 daughter bedrooms into 2 offices and 2 sitting rooms, plenty of space for each of us to get away.

When we had our extension built we had workmen on the premises for twelve weeks and the noise and mess was horrendous. When the workmen left each afternoon DH would get the Henry out and vacuum everywhere and would then wash down all hard surfaces. It was a thankless task for him but it meant that we had a few hours in the evening without having to look at dirt.

I’ve a brilliant decorator, thanks to DD1. She has him in when she’s away on holiday, makes it easier with DGS1 around. I did get him to do too much at once last year, but lesson learned and just the lounge and outside booked for ‘23. The decorator in my last house, who I knew quite well, once rang me and said he was holding off painting DD2’s bedroom as the paint she’d chosen was a luminous pink and he ‘knew’ I wouldn’t like it - he was right!
I’m fine with my choice of gas and electric engineers, both are very helpful. Struggling with a chap who has been coming to replace posts in the garden fence - I’ll give him another chance, as he’s a recommendation. I’m really not bothered about the ‘invasion’ - it’s worth it for the end results, although can’t say I’m sad to see the job finished!

We have been lucky with most of our workmen as they have been quite quick but we have not had anything major done in the last five years.
DH normally hovers as he likes to supervise and / or learn.
Decorator is due in May and it is a friend of my son, a lovely guy. I have decided, hang the expense, I am going to put furniture into storage as we have no room in other rooms. Not sure how DH will cope with it all but it is so overdue and will be lovely when it is done.

We’ve got to know a local reliable team of skilled workers. They are great and I provide drinks and bacon sandwiches at 11am. I have a chat and then try to keep out of the way in my tiny house unless they want another drink when offered.

The downside is the not knowing when they’ll finish and the expense especially with emergencies.