Vent - Workmen in house

pollypenny

C_Mababejive wrote: »

If you had a doctor,midwife,solicitor,policeman or similar call round to do some work,would you offer them refreshments?

I am very pleased to say that I've never had any of the above performing their duties for hours at a time in my house!

I've found that treating my tradesmen with respect, and a few refreshments, means they'll go the extra mile.

Secondly, they are more likely to return when I need another job doing. We were grateful to our plumber just after Christmas.

C_Mababejive

PlymouthMaid wrote: »

Yes I would if they were likely to be in my house for a reasonable period of time and especially if I fancied a beverage. I think helping yourself if you haven't been told to is very rude though.

Yes i agree with you. People shouldnt be diving in your fridge and cupboards.

C_Mababejive

Cloudydaze wrote: »

I had the builders in for about four months. They started early and would wake up me up with a knock on my bedroom door and leave a cup of tea outside!

There was a tense period when I was accused of fobbing them off with supermarket brand biscuits. I had put them in a tin but the wrapper was spotted in the bin.

Haha ,thats so funny and true. It cuts both ways. I have been in someones house before and even made an old girl her dinner because she was feeling unwell ..ha..!

ripplyuk

I think this 'rule' about feed/drink being supplied to workmen is going too far. I had some recently that spent more time drinking tea than doing any work and they demanded it as soon as they arrived. I would have offered without being asked if they had appropriate breaks but I didn't get the chance. I agree with the previous post, only have herbal tea in the house.

It's a job after all. In most jobs you have to buy your own refreshments. Can't they bring a packed lunch and flask like everyone else?

nearlyrich

There was a man working on my roof when I got home today I offered him a brew when I was making mine he had one grand total of one teaspoon of coffee two sugars and a splash of milk not that hard to be polite and I get offered drinks when I visit my customers so it seems reasonable behaviour to me.

ripplyuk

nearlyrich wrote: »

There was a man working on my roof when I got home today I offered him a brew when I was making mine he had one grand total of one teaspoon of coffee two sugars and a splash of milk not that hard to be polite and I get offered drinks when I visit my customers so it seems reasonable behaviour to me.

Anyone would offer a cup of tea. Normal good manners. It's different when there's two or three workmen and they want one cup of tea after another, along with biscuits etc. I was beginning to feel like their servant!

Nile

Workmen don't get the best mugs for their cuppa but they do get a choccy biscuit (kit kat) and either tea or coffee. I want a good job doing and I think it helps to keep them happy with decent refreshments and a friendly manner.


The tradesmen we use are usually recommended by our neighbours, so we know they'll do a good job for us too.

aileth

Ha-ha, it's not builders, but when my parents were moving into their new house it was pretty funny.

One approached my dad and asked if he'd buy them fish and chips!!!! My dad said he'd get them a portion of chips each but seeing as he'd just paid them hundreds of pounds he couldn't afford a cod each, lots of grumbling. They then came into the kitchen where we were and started raiding the cupboards trying to find vinegar and ketchup!!!!!

They then moved the fridge in, which is a large american-style fridge with the water/ice dispenser. One of them noticed this, and instead of getting water from the tap he 'had' to get it from the fridge. Then when they discovered that it had frozen the ice already, there was literally a queue in front of it to get some.

It was an absolute circus and none of us could believe it. Needless to say they weren't offered any coffees or teas (or chunky kit-kats!)

As for police/doctors etc, we have had Police in our house a couple of times and have always offered them a drink. Only one has accepted and he even got a free biscuit

pollypenny

James01 wrote: »

Yes, that's another thing the music was blasting from my electric, probably annoying the neighbours. They've gone now and so has a mug, three given and two returned, they are back tomorrow and revenge will be sweet.

Your neighbours will know it's not you, does a radio use sooooo much electricity?

As for revenge , how foolish!

Their revenge could be sweeter, longer lasting and harder to discover until it's too late: for you.

paddyrg

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

The last workman in my house told me the 5 reasons he gets recomendations from all his customers.

1) He starts on the day he says he'll start, and finishes on the day he says he'll finish
2) He charges you what he said he'll charge you.
3) He will leave minimal mess everyday, and take all his rubbish away with him
4) He brings a flask with him, and refuses to take tea or coffee, or biscuits from the customer.
5) The quality of the job is always better than the customer hoped for.

Shocking state of the industry when basic courtesy and doing what you're paid for when you're paid to do it is a major selling point! But heck yeah I'd use that guy no question, and would happily pay a modest premium to do so.