Vent - Workmen in house

stardoman

We had our conservatory built during a really hot spell. The workman would not accept tea or coffee but looked like they were really thirsty. So I asked them what they would like. One suggested a nice cold coke. So I went to the shop and bought them a 2l bottle.

They did a really good job and there were absolutely no problems with it, which I think is quite rare.

Keep the workers on side and give them lots to drink :T

dianasnan

perhaps I am over generous (not something that I am usually accused of ) but we had 2 plumbers in the house for 6 days and they always had a cup of tea/ coffee when we did (I'm married to a tea addict ) and they got through 8 packets of wrapped chocolate biscuits.

They worked long hours and did a first class job, cleaned up as they went and took all the rubbish away each day so I didn't begrudge them their refreshments.

Emm-in-a-pickle

A few years ago I had a hole in my roof - storm damage. I was grateful to have it fixed as soon as possible (obviously!) and the 2 roofers were up there in very cold weather. As it happened, I was off work that week and able to be home all day.
I told them to let me know whenever they wanted a brew - and I also offered them a mug of home-made chicken soup, a bit more warming than tea! The second day, I had overnight slow-cooked a ham-in pepsi, and gave them a nice thick ham sandwich each. The ham was still warm and the chaps were very appreciative. The younger lad said it was a pity the job wasn`t a longer one, the older one asked about the ham to tell his missis!!
They did a great job, everybody happy.

whitegoods_engineer

James01 deserves nothing but contempt from those doing work for him. Advice James, don't ever think of becoming an employer. I'm sure the electricity used from the radio will set you back a whole penny or maybe two!

arbroath_lass

I can't believe anyone can be so mean as to not offer workmen a cup of tea! Sugar doesn't go out of date so it'll keep until the next time someone comes. Milk is not expensive but powdered will keep for a long time too. Honestly, do people have no manners?


Equally, they should not have gone into cupboards and helped themselves.

Morglin

We always get on the right side of workmen, and we have never had a single problem with any of them.:beer:

A drink offered when they arrive, hot or juice, regular cuppas if we are indoors, then if we have to go out, a tray left with drinks and biscuits. I tell them to help themselves to milk or juice, in the fridge.

I'm happy for them to have their radios plugged in, as long as I can hear myself think!

As we can't move stuff etc., we have always found they go the extra mile, after a bit of hospitality, and if they work for a company, we always give them a 'drink' afterwards, to show we are appreciative of their extra help.

My dad was in the building trade, and a friendly hospitable customer will always get more done than a miserly, miserable one throwing his weight around!

Lin

FOREVER21

My wife always provides tea and biscuits for workmen on arrival and during the day.
A couple of things which do annoy me though is how they seem unable to return the empty mugs to the kitchen and when offered tea I often find that the say "i prefer coffee" and then they look amazed when told we don't drink coffee.

whitegoods_engineer

Somebody comes to your house.

Normal courtesy, offer them a drink!

What's the problem here?

duchy

If the workmen were making usual workmen type noise like hammering I'd think that would be far more disturbing to the neighbours than a radio. As for begrudging the penny or two it costs to power the radio. Words fail me!

moneyistooshorttomention

I wouldn't normally expect workmen to ask for a drink and definitely would not accept them making themselves one ever (it's both impolite to do so and assuming that you have spare milk, which you mightn't).

Sounds like that particular group of workmen were using all these drinks as a way to spin out a job for longer than it really took, ie bet their boss wouldn't be pleased.

I will always offer drinks to workmen when I am making one for myself and sometimes even when I am not doing so, on the same basis that I regard it as polite to make a drink for anyone coming to my house pretty much. I even keep instant coffee and "standard" type tea in specially (with these not being drinks I ever use of myself), but I do expect that politeness from them in response.

Having said that, I'm having a particular workman in quite frequently at the moment and he does ask for a drink if he wants one (but I would say that's at pretty reasonable intervals).