What do you do?

[benny3008]

when you have plumbers/builders/electricians around working in your house, do you sit and watch them just to keep an eye or do you carry on with whatever you were doing. (within reason, lol) we have plumbers around now and i don't know what to do. :-/ I am the only one in the house with them plus both dogs but they are locked in the living room.

[China Doll]

Ensure they have a cup of tea to hand and know where I am and then get out of their way and hope they keep the noise down.

[cazzz1975]

generally I watch them, not because I am suspicious but because it makes them feel uncomfortable therefore they will want to get away pronto.

[mike11111]

Who's locked in the living room, the dogs or the plumbers?

[benny3008]

the dogs mike. lol

[harpindersing]

Well unless you have the crown jewels there in which case politely remove them I would carry on with what I'm doing just popping in here and there to see how it's going and offer them tea and biscuits as by standing over them you'd make them feel uneasy ad as if you don't trust them and with you distracting them I wouldn't be surprised if they made a mistake or had an accident and blamed you.

[andy-hughes]

I'd keep out of their way.

You need to establish a firm worjing relationship with artisans - you will pay them a fair rate for a fair job, done on time, with no mess. You wil not tolerate them taking the miick by working six jobs as well as yours.

Hopefully you have established in writing a plan for the job completion, and the payments you wil be making - so other than that, let them get on with it.

The occasional cuppa is friendly, but don't get chatting - they are not your friends, they are working for you. If you get friendly, it will make it harder to shout at them if they don't deliver on time.

[wolf63]

I hate being in with a workman - unless it is a quick fix.

In the past I have put my cat(s) in the cattery and taken myself off to my voluntary job for the whole day.
I sometimes leave stuff to do on the computer that will keep me busy and out of their hair.
I had one guy refused to come into my house due to me having a psycho dog - he actually had a point.
I can't stop talking when there is somebody around to talk to - so I usually drive them demented.
I never have tea or coffee in the house so I never offer them any.

I think that you are supposed to just continue doing whatever you would have been doing if they had not been there.

[cazzz1975]

you have to bridge the fine line of letting them get on with it and keeping an eye on them

[B00]

ooo know what you mean benny, 'orrible innit?

You feel really uncomfortable in your own house until they've gone!

I used to be like that when we had a window cleaner too, infact i used to hide in different rooms, depending on which ones he was doing.

[benny3008]

so nothing ever goes wrong in your house zippy? you must have experienced it at some point!

[cazzz1975]

I cant cope with window cleaners, a lot of them where I used to live used to just use a wet cloth without rinsing for a load of houses, how could people pay them for that I dont know

[benny3008]

S0D OFF! lol

[B00]

dont have blinds pinki, and i didnt want to appear rude by shutting the curtains.

I'm such a wuss!

[benny3008]

know what ya mean B00, don't like to make it look as though you are uncomfortable eventhough generally it is quite obvious :-/

[harpindersing]

The occasional cuppa is friendly, but don't get chatting - they are not your friends, they are working for you. If you get friendly, it will make it harder to shout at them if they don't deliver on time.

I disagree andy I think you can afford to be friendly and establish a great and friendly work atmosphere should also see you getting a discount at the end. There's no reason why you can't be friendly and a monster (If they try and take the michael) at the same time.

[society]

I keep an eye on them and ask questions. I observe then periodically to make sure they are doing a good job, and doing what they are paid to do.