Just being a grouch because I have a workman in my house.

Thanks everyone for your input. You have improved my mood. Not quite such a grouch now.

CariadAgain

Sounds like he's picking laissez-faire vibes from you - ie that he can get away with doing what he pleases - given you won't even go to the loo whilst he's there. You're acting like you are his servant in effect - doing things to please him. It's the other way round - time to take charge....

That made me smile, mostly wryly because I think you are absolutely right. I have just visited the loo while he was busy drilling outside. Will give my inner wimp a talking to.

REKA

British Gas do not need a person present when working. As long as you're there when they arrive and leave it is fine to go out.

Well actually they do. It is in the info they sent me in advance…I guess for their own protection.

Sounds like he's picking laissez-faire vibes from you - ie that he can get away with doing what he pleases - given you won't even go to the loo whilst he's there. You're acting like you are his servant in effect - doing things to please him. It's the other way round - time to take charge....

JenniferEccles

How are you getting on Flippingheck?
Are things there any better?

Thank you! Just sitting it out in front of the TV. I have asked for the radio to be turned down and he did that with a smile. I can’t close the doors because of the cover place to protect my floors. I just need to tell myself not to be so easily disturbed.

British Gas do not need a person present when working. As long as you're there when they arrive and leave it is fine to go out.

Doodledog

I understand how you feel, Flippinheck. I find it very unsettling when tradespeople are in the house. I try to focus on the fact that I will have a new 'thing' when they leave, but I am unable to relax until they've finished and gone. I am fully aware that they don't care what I am doing, but I still feel watched, and hate basic things like using the loo with strangers around.

I'm another who would ask him to turn the radio down though. Why do they all play radios so loudly?

Oh yes! The loo thing! Testing my bladder capacity as I type.

How are you getting on Flippingheck?
Are things there any better?

Tizliz

I completely understand. After a survey which took 4 hours where he clambered all over the house, we have decided against having an air pump installed. It is too much upheaval - other things like the cost and the little saving were taken into account - 3 or 4 workers all over the house, several wardrobes to be emptied. Dogs to be kept calm. We decided to stay as we are.

Hopefully it will all have been worth it when your work is finished and cleared up

How I remember the assessment for having solar panels and air pump a couple of years ago. I thought the agent was hunkering down for the night! Plus he wanted us to commit there and then, which I refused to do. Off he went grudgingly and wasn’t best pleased when we decided to not proceed…….in fact, he was very rude to us! Obviously cost him a handsome commission!

I agree, I don’t like having workmen in either, in fact I don’t like any of the process of finding the right people to do things for me. The biggest issue I think is that I can’t settle to do anything while they are in the house, and I have to supervise the dog constantly because he always wants to get involved, and he makes a real nuisance of himself. I try to save up mind numbing tasks like filing, or cleaning out cupboards so I’m on hand, and can leave them immediately if needed. It’s always lovely when it’s done though.

I never pay by the hour. I ask for an an itemised quote for the whole job
And btw butterandjam - your ‘calmly’ suggestion, was far from calm, in my opinion. It did make me smile though 😂

Poor you, OP.
You sound like me (versus workmen and on a good day!)
You’ve asked how to cope. Well, firstly you remember that it’s your house, your rules, followed by you’re the customer and you’re paying. It’s only fair and reasonable that some rules need to be pointed out ( and at the start.) I so agree it’s horrible feeling uncomfortable in your own home : you expect to have to tolerate some work-related noise and inconvenience for the time that was estimated. However, radios, mobile phones, outer doors left open and in the middle of winter, mess and tools everywhere? With just one workman? What’s that about? Simply lack of any thought or awareness or, worse, disrespect.

You say he’s quite nice but clearly you need a word. IF he can’t work without entertainment, why isn’t he using earbuds so that he doesn’t take over space beyond his ears. You need your outer doors closed and certainly not back and front left open, again no thought about you. He needs to have any ‘mess’ limited to where he’s working. He needs to make or take personal calls outside or in his van. None of these things are unreasonable ‘rules’ when you need to tolerate temporary disruption in your home, but would probably go a long way towards making you feel better.

The worst feeling is when you struggle to look forward to the completed job and ‘something new’ ……which is never cheap…..because it’s already been spoilt by the behaviour of those doing the work. If you feel you can’t say anything to him, hopefully for any future house or garden invasion, you’ll make your feelings clear before any work starts. And remember, your poor cat needs your support! 🙀

mum2three

I don't think workmen should be allowed to have personal calls on the job. When someone is being paid by the hour, they shouldn't be taking time out to chat.

There are very few trades people now who are paid by the hour.

I sympathise with you. I live alone and enjoy my own company so I don't like workmen in the house. I particularly dislike them using my toilet! I know they can't help it and I grit my teeth but it annoys me. The one exception is the man who does all my painting and decorating. Hes a friend of the family and so I don't mind him. However I still go out when get working, if I can.

25Avalon

Having any building works done my mil used to say “you are happy to see them come and happy to see them go.”

A house on our boundary is about to be demolished and a new one built over the next 18 months. I am dreading it. Already they cut through the gas main and blocked the driveway. Be thankful your job is only taking a couple of days and think how pleased you will be when it’s done.

I had a new gas boiler installed last summer and the team were polite, tidy and quiet. Very professional. I'd expect nothing less.

He knows he's taking the piss, just put a stop to it.

Calmly say " Bob, this is my home. While you're working in it I prefer you don't leave the outside doors open, play your radio or make personal calls".

Not surprised you're upset.

I'd shut those doors right now if I were you - especially given it's winter right now. Though I'd shut them anyway - because of security concerns. I make a semi-jokey comment to any here that I'm from a city and lived in the city centre - so I'm still conscious of security concerns.

I reckon I do my bit in being available when they are due to be here and offering drinks as applicable. But I expect them to do their bit and not endanger the security or temperature of my home any more than can be helped.

That personal call lasting 25 minutes is "taking the michael". I don't expect them taking calls other than for a reason to do with my job - and not to do with their own personal life. I think me obviously ensuring my doors are shut as soon as possible after they've come through sets a tone of "Do not put me out any more than you can reasonably help". The most I'd think of is them - maybe - taking a genuinely unexpected urgent type personal call not lasting more than a couple of minutes (5 minutes at the most). Obviously that would apply even more if there wasn't a fixed price for the job and it was done on a "them counting the hours they were with me" basis.

I'd also "ask" for them to turn their radio down if I needed silence (eg because I was watching tv). What do they expect you to do whilst you're having to be there supervising them?!!!! TV requires silence, reading requires silence, etc.
I've got a very expressive face I'm told - so knowing me I'd glare at the radio and they couldnt miss knowing I had - so I probably wouldnt even have to ask.

It's not as if you are supervising/safeguarding by choice - British Gas insisted on it.

I think you would have found your boiler. at 17 years old, was repairable. The man who serviced my boiler , finally replaced after 35 years old told me most boilers were repairable and it was reluctance to source parts, easily available, that led to insistence on a new one. He retired, and the man sent when I had a leak, the first problem ever, laughed scornfully when I repeated it, and asked who had told me.It gave me great pleasure to say, actually, it was your father, who had looked after the boiler for 32 years.
The new boiler is smaller and as efficient, but difficult to program. And I shall stay with gas as long as I can.

flippinheck I’m uncomfortable too with workmen but I would be closing the doors and asking for the noise to be turned down. It’s your home not his, and complain to British Gas if he doesn’t comply.

I don't think workmen should be allowed to have personal calls on the job. When someone is being paid by the hour, they shouldn't be taking time out to chat.

I understand how you feel, Flippinheck. I find it very unsettling when tradespeople are in the house. I try to focus on the fact that I will have a new 'thing' when they leave, but I am unable to relax until they've finished and gone. I am fully aware that they don't care what I am doing, but I still feel watched, and hate basic things like using the loo with strangers around.

I'm another who would ask him to turn the radio down though. Why do they all play radios so loudly?

I don’t sleep well if I know we have someone coming to do a job.
Luckily my husband is handy with all trades, so not often we have anyone.
I worry workmen won’t respect my property, which sometimes they don’t.

The last person that came was the gas engineer, to service our boiler. He ended up snapping the key underneath the boiler, he said, “oh it will Rite” in his northern accent 🙄

You have my sympathies. I hate it too.
I would certainly ask the chap to turn his radio down. It shouldn’t be so loud that it’s drowning out your tv in another room.
There is going to be enough noise going on anyway with the work, noise which can’t be controlled. The volume of the radio though can be.

Was tempted by the £9000 grant until we got the overall cost!

Tizliz

I completely understand. After a survey which took 4 hours where he clambered all over the house, we have decided against having an air pump installed. It is too much upheaval - other things like the cost and the little saving were taken into account - 3 or 4 workers all over the house, several wardrobes to be emptied. Dogs to be kept calm. We decided to stay as we are.

Hopefully it will all have been worth it when your work is finished and cleared up

Oh gosh, that is such a big undertaking. Can’t help thinking you did the right thing.

Yes, blue14 I will be glad when it’s done. My boiler was not faulty but 17 years old so no longer repairable and the system needs to be flushed, so hopefully I will have a more efficient system. I live happily on my own, with my cat, so any intrusion is uncomfortable for me. Said cat has left in a huff being even less comfortable with the upset than I am.