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Original poster

What do you do when there are maintenance people in the house?

24 replies

AngelOfDeathNix · 15/01/2019 09:50

Washing machine repair man is here working in the utility room, I've offered him a drink when I made a cuppa (he declined!), but now I'm stuck in the living room not knowing quite what to do! Do you hang around if you have maintenance people in or carry on with your daily routine? I need to hoover upstairs, but I don't think I can subject him to my hoover workout (not a euphemism!)

OP posts:

VeryFoolishFay · 15/01/2019 10:10

Usually I just get on with stuff after offering a hot drink. Might have a little chat if I know them but otherwise be polite and then get on.

Am making myself scare next week as the electrician is putting a humidity fan in the kitchen and the wall are 400 years old. He says it might take him 4 hours to get through with a cutter....

waterandlemonjuice · 15/01/2019 10:13

I do whatever I was going to do in the first place

ChristineBaskets · 15/01/2019 10:27

I usually hover awkwardly in another room, afraid to watch tv or make a noise in case the workman calls me and I don't hear, and try to distract myself from needing a poo while he's in the house. I hate having people in.

MargoLovebutter · 15/01/2019 10:34

I'm working from home if there are maintenance / builders in, as I should be at work if it is a weekday, so I crack on with my work on my laptop after making them a tea or coffee. I let them know where I'll be sitting and that I may be on the phone, just so they don't think I'm rude if I don't respond immediately.

longwayoff · 15/01/2019 10:57

Christine, I thought it was just me. I hate having workmen in the house. I've never had a bad experience with any but it puts me on edge and would happily never admit another. Just workmen though, friends welcome

Sparklingbrook · 15/01/2019 10:59

I can't relax. I offer them a drink, say something stupid accidentally then retire to another room.
Every time I hear them go outside I hope they are packing up because they are done.
Then I get all awkward at the bill paying bit and am relieved if it's a bank transfer job.

DappledThings · 15/01/2019 13:56

There's a man from Hillary's here now. DC are napping upstairs. I'm watching tv.

I was watching My Brilliant Friend which, being subtitled, is excellent viewing when there's noisy drilling. But I think the next episode has sex in it and I would be too embarrassed to have that on with a stranger in the same room!

babysharkah · 15/01/2019 13:57

Hide in another room until they're finished.

LooseSeal2 · 15/01/2019 14:01

So glad to see others are as akward as me

I make myself look busy, or hide.

ladybee28 · 15/01/2019 14:04

Let them know where I'll be if they need me, show them where the tea stuff is and tell them to help themselves, and get on with my day –I also work from home.

A friend of mine is a plumber and she's always said she wishes people would just bugger off and let her get on with her work – it's bad enough being in someone's space without being lurked at

FozzieBear123 · 15/01/2019 14:05

Ha! How funny that this has come up in active threads. I have a plumber here at the moment and I've just been wondering the same thing! I always find it so awkward! I've made him a cuppa and I can hear him tinkering away. He asked to use the loo when he arrived. From other threads I've seen on here about that, fingers crossed I won't find a nice 'surprise' in my toilet!

llangennith · 15/01/2019 14:07

I'm the same as you lot😂
I wonder if workmen know how awkward we feel or if they don't notice? Or if our awkwardness makes them feel awkward?

Malibucyprus · 15/01/2019 14:09

This, I also worry that they'll think I'm lazy.

LittleLongDog · 15/01/2019 14:09

I’ve become an expert at setting up camp in another room: drink, snack and work ready so I won’t need to disturb them!

I usually make them a cuppa then disappear; feeling stressed that they’re going to call for me any minute.

halfwitpicker · 15/01/2019 14:09

I dither.

LittleLongDog · 15/01/2019 14:10

I also worry that they'll think I'm lazy
^ so much this. I can’t bring myself to watch tv.

CantWaitToRetire · 15/01/2019 14:10

I've got 3 builders outside at the moment building a new front wall. I never know the etiquette about offering refreshments. I made them a cuppa a little while after they arrived, but how often do you have to keep topping them up? I know they have flasks and things in their van, but I don't want to seem rude by not offering. Always feels a bit awkward.

MamTDM · 15/01/2019 14:11

Oh God. I have builders here for a month soon and they'll be in and out upstairs (loft conversion). I work from home and was planning on just shutting the door and letting them crack on, but this thread has just made me realise that I won't be able to have a daytime poo for the whole of February!

Original poster

AngelOfDeathNix · 15/01/2019 15:04

I'm glad I'm not the only one who overthinks what to do!

Washing machine now fixed, I decided to blitz the living and dining room while he was here. Cheeky sod told me I should really be cleaning my washing machine more often than I currently am, did point out that my husband is the one who broke it, and he suggested that I did the laundry in future!! Glad I didn't offer him the naice biscuits

OP posts:

RtIock · 15/01/2019 15:15

I show them where tea/coffee kettle and toilet is and crack on with what I had planned and just tell them to shout if they need me.
Had kitchen redone lately and the various tradesmen would just leave at the end of the day without saying anything which I found awkward! Am I alone yet? Should I lock the door? Or have they just popped out to get something and they will they be back soon and I will of locked them out!

wanderings · 15/01/2019 15:20

As advised by MN , I guard the toilet of course: I don't want any workmen shitting in it, when there are perfectly good public toilets everywhere!

Miane · 15/01/2019 15:24

Cheeky sod told me I should really be cleaning my washing machine more often than I currently am

Why is that cheeky? He’s a skilled technician offering you advice to extend the life of an expensive appliance.

TheCunkOfPhilomena · 15/01/2019 15:40

I offer a cuppa on arrival then make my excuses about having work to do and stick the radio on and sit on the sofa looking at Facebook and MN whilst being too nervous to move or do anything productive.

If I need the loo then I hold it.

alwaysthepessimist · 15/01/2019 15:52

ha how funny - I have a decorator in all week, saw him this morning then have come to work, working tomorrow but should be at home for the rest of the week while he is there - instead I have made plans so I am not at home! I hate it, I feel like I can't relax or do what I need to do!

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