plumbers/electricians etc: leave them unattended?

Grimbal

Just had an interesting difference of views between mother in law and myself. We need some work done to the house we're buying and MIL was asked if she minded staying round whilst workmen were onsite. She was genuinely surprised as she usually would leave them to do the job whilst she was at work, to return later that day. I, however, wouldn't feel comfortable doing this.

I'd be interested to get the opinions of everyone!

27col

I was always happy enough to work in a house on my own when I was a handyman/electrician and was too busy usually to do anything but what I was being paid to do. Having said that, I am not sure that I would leave the house unattended if there was someone working for me. In my case the reason would be likely to be that I was nosey and always want to know how a job is being carried out. Also, there is nearly always a question from the workman. to be answered. Sometimes, if the question is not answered, the job can be delayed for want of an answer.
I am sure that others will have contrary opinions to mine.

mikey72

I don't mind either if I'm working.
But I like to watch other people work though, just cos it's not me doing it, and I can put my feet up.

HelenDaveKids

I would leave them if used them before or know them. More than happy for my builders / plumber etc to have a key and sort themselves out. But "one off" type jobs are different.
Never felt that they were doing anything they shouldn't.
My OH is an electrician, so he can definitely be left alone at home to do jobs while I'm at work!

Tom_Jones

It really depends if you have kinky knickers/vibrators/whips/!!!!!! etc etc in the house. If you don't then it's ok to leave them alone, if not the first thing a tradesman will look for is kinky knickers etc etc :j:j

phill99

Tom_Jones wrote: »

It really depends if you have kinky knickers/vibrators/whips/!!!!!! etc etc in the house. If you don't then it's ok to leave them alone, if not the first thing a tradesman will look for is kinky knickers etc etc :j:j

Oh f**k off.

muckybutt

I quite happy to leave workmen alone in the house unsupervised, I used to work for the council and saw it from both sides, some would leave you to it some would have to stay at home - for some it was company as well if they couldnt get out.

I know there are tradesmen out there that like a snoop and I know of some that have stolen things as well, but at the end of the day though it has to boil down to trust between you and the tradesman / woman.

KillerWatt

Tom_Jones wrote: »

It really depends if you have kinky knickers/vibrators/whips/!!!!!! etc etc in the house. If you don't then it's ok to leave them alone, if not the first thing a tradesman will look for is kinky knickers etc etc :j:j

You might be a bit of a !!!!!! who is happy to sign the register, but the other 99% of us are quite happy to do what we are being paid to do and nothing else.

fluffpot

As an electrician I'm very happy if people do go out and leave me to get on with it - it generally means I can work faster, more easily and can switch off circuits when it suits me. I always ask for a contact number if case there are any questions to be answered.

What really gets my goat is people standing over you and watching - its so intrusive! I guess some people don't think about how it would be to have their boss staring over their shoulder when they're on the computer!

C_Mababejive

In an earlier life,i used to fit central heating systems.

I really didnt care whether the customer chose to hang round the house or to go about their business.

It would be preferred if they would just go about their business and leave a contact no.

This way, they dont have to witness the horror of their home being ripped apart,the noise,the mess
They dont use up precious holidays
They arent under my feet
They just return home each night to a reasonable level of order and finally a fully working heating system

I would organise a communal notepad.. they would write stuff on it/questions etc..i 'd write replies and requests eg..please clear the wardrobes in the back room for tomorrow..

We would have a short case conference to discuss the job every morning before they departed for work.

Its all about professionalism and trust.

If people dont trust me..hey..i dont want their job or to be in their home anyway.

In my work i have uncovered everything from home adult polaroid pics to money,!!!!!! mags,sex toys..even illegal stuff. Its peoples personal business..i just leave it where it is and get on with the job or put the item(s) discretely to one side and say nowt.

Cash-Cow_3

My view is yes leave them to it. I had a kitchen put in and just told them to shut the door on the way out each day. On an odd day I would drop in during the day just to see if they were drinking tea but they worked like dogs. They knocked off early on Friday though but who doesn't.