Workman in the house

[hopeishere]

If you have someone doing a repair eg the cooker or something so you stay in the room with them. I'm never sure what to do. Currently having awkward silences with cooker man

Nope, just say to them ‘I’ll let you get on then’ and leave them to it. If they need me, they usually shout hello.

Depends on who they are, what they are doing and general demeanour
We completely renovated this house so most of them I let just get on with it. Our electrician, decorator and joiner we use a lot since so I just let them get on with it and tell them to give me a shout.
When we had our boiler serviced the other day I stayed on the kitchen with him and chatted partially as it's a non standard system and new guys always have questions (he did)
Power grid electricians today I just showed them where everything was and then pottered about cleaning in earshot in case they needed anything.
We had a guy sent by a company a while back who although did an ok job in the end had a shitty attitude when he arrived and looked quite dodgy, I hovered for him because I was uneasy leaving him to it. Gut feeling said to be cautious.

I don't stay either however if it's a bigger job, say decorating, I would offer tea/coffee every hour in order to see how it's going!

Mostly they say yes.

No, my preference is to go out and leave them to it, but if I can't do that I am "busy" in another room.

i leave them to it

I say to them ok I’ll leave you to it if that’s ok; more so with covid

I normally loiter and talk if they seem chatty, or stay within earshot if not, in case they need to ask me something. Bit trickier at the moment with social distancing (small house). I've learned a great deal about central heating systems from chatting to engineers. I usually get on with something though, I don't just stand and watch, I'll be at my laptop at the kitchen table or similar.

Go out! I wouldn't go out. They might need to ask you a question "where do you want that socket".

Interesting. I'll try not to hover so much in future!!

I either go out telling them to ring me if they want something, or leave them to it. I would hate to work with an audience!

Not during coronavirus, no! Open all the windows and go to a different room so you're not breathing each others air.

DH is a heating engineer. He is happy to chat before and after a job but while he is working he needs to concentrate. Also customers risk tripping over his equipment if they are milling about. And while Covid is a concern, customers should stay in a separate room anyway.

In normal times, offer a drink every now and then but then just stay out of the way.

I offer a cup of tea and have a quick cheery chat that lasts perhaps 2 mins - then I leave them to get on with it. They know to give me a shout if they need me.

I have learned this from various trade people in my family.

No one likes a "hooverer" whilst you are trying to get work done.

Depends, in a room with no personal or valuable items like the kitchen? Id just sit in the living room but in the office or bedroom? I would stay. I only offer refreshments once, maybe twice if its an all day job.

They would probably prefer you to bugger off than stand over them tbh. Even pre covid while they're wondering if you're lurgied or not.

Couldn't give a fuck what they preferred. It's my house and my stuff.

Most of the trademen I get are got through my Dad's best friend who is a contractor and most I have known myself for many years. I tend to leave them too it and be in a nearby room.

The amount of slippery fuckers, smoking joints on the job, time wasting, cutting corners, 'misunderstanding' what you asked for, pinching personal items.. nah, don't be too trusting.

^ that was a general comment not to those saying you or your family have personally known or recommended them.

Just an annoying fly type then.

It's ok, certain types become stories to tell later.