Vent - Workmen in house

borkid

whitegoods_engineer wrote: »

Somebody comes to your house.

Normal courtesy, offer them a drink!

What's the problem here?

Exactly, not everyone accepts but you offer. I even offer people working outside a drink when its very cold or hot for goodness sake they are people and a little consideration goes a long way to making it a good day. We need all the good karma we can get.

gunsandbanjos

I had workmen in for 3 days a few weeks ago, I moved out as the work was extensive. I left a selection of tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits out on the side with some mugs and a note to help themselves. Surely it's just common courtesy?

Lily-Rose_3

km1423 wrote: »

James01, I am with you, taking the P or what.

I would have said I'm out of coffee, or I only drink herbal tea. I would have replaced the sugar with salt, and watered down the milk.

I do offer tradesmen drinks especially if they are here for a while, but only if I am making myself one.

Somebody I know charges tradesmen 30pence per cup and when they plug in their radio, deducts a small amount from the total bill.

Wow, how horribly horribly petty.

If I am going to be out, I leave the coffee jar, whitener and sugar with a pack of choccie biccies and some jam tarts or something. And on the occasions I have been in, I have made them lunch; eggs and bacon, bacon butties etc, and even got them fish and chips from the chippy. (Don't do this often, but if they were there for say 3 days, I would make them/buy them something once.)

It does seem odd that they help themselves, but this has never happened to me, because I have never ever had workmen in and not bothered to offer them a drink.

Lily-Rose_3

borkid wrote: »

Exactly, not everyone accepts but you offer. I even offer people working outside a drink when its very cold or hot for goodness sake they are people and a little consideration goes a long way to making it a good day. We need all the good karma we can get.

Ditto. I have had council workers near my house or the water board/gas board, and I offer them tea/coffee and biccies. Like you (and others) have said; it's common courtesy and decency.

Coopdivi

James01 wrote: »

Just letting off steam, we currently have three workmen putting a window in, first thing they asked for when they arrived at eight was coffee, then more coffee and to top it all they've now decided to help themselves, I walked into the kitchen to find them in the fridge getting the milk. I let them see I wasn't happy, it's not even as if they are very nice people. I would never do that in another persons house and to top it all they've picked up my best mug.

Next time, get them to use your tradesmen's entrance. It'll be a better experience all round.

powerful_Rogue

Really cant believe the actions of some people on here. Charging them for electricity if they plug in their radio?!!!

When we had a new kitchen fitted, we made up a tray with tea, coffee and hot chocolate along with a few bottles of squash. Next to that we put packets of biscuits, cakes and kit kats, wagon wheels etc. We told them to help themselves and topped it up every night.

Makes sense to look after the people you have working on your house. A little bit of hospitality goes a long long way. We found they went above and beyond what they were actually paid for - sorting out problems they could have asked us to call other professionals in for or charging as extra for their time.

gholmes724

Like others on this thread I only drink herbal tea so when I had work men in recently they were offered tea but advised the choice was peppermint or chamomile, they declined. I never keep biccies in (because I would only eat them!) so those weren't there to offer.

My teapot was actually smashed by said workmen - accidentally - the smashee immediately offered to pay to replace it but I had to announce several days later I was 'off out to buy a replacement teapot' before the cash was handed over. Okay some might think I should have paid for it myself but cash is short.

They also found and used my radio without asking which I didn't like and I'm afraid it was hidden after that not because of the electricity use but because I hate blaring music and it was after all MY home.

It's never pleasant having workmen in especially if you are on your own and have to spend a good deal of the time in their 'working space.'

How it's handled is up to the individual i don't think people should be castigated for having a different approach to the situation.

pollypenny

I don't imagine that the posters who gripe about supplying workmen with tea or coffee and a couple of biscuits have many loyal tradesmen.

I know that if we have an urgent need for a plumber, plasterer, joiner or tiler we have someone on whom to call.

Our old electrician has retired, so,that's a gap in our 'team'.

gunsandbanjos

gholmes724 wrote: »

Like others on this thread I only drink herbal tea so when I had work men in recently they were offered tea but advised the choice was peppermint or chamomile, they declined. I never keep biccies in (because I would only eat them!) so those weren't there to offer.

I'd run out of coffee and had no biscuits in but I went and bought some for the workmen.

It's nice to be hospitable if someone's in your home.

ljonski

I feel quite offended if a tradesman refuses my offer of a cup of tea.I use only the best tea bags!