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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to leave the carpet man in the house by himself??

27 replies

PrettyPictures92 · 07/10/2014 14:28

He's been here an hour, only half finished one room as he's been trying to get someone to come help him since his partner cut his finger and went to the hospital before they got here (quite a deep cut so understandable).

He's got the hall, stairs, two more bedrooms and the sitting room to do. I need to go pick up kids soon, would only be gone half an hour. Would it be unreasonable to ask him to stay and finish the job while I get the kids or will he just have to leave? Not sure on their policy and he seems rather jumpy and nervous. (Won't look me in the eye/stuttering a lot when I asked about underlay etc. Not sure if he's just uncomfortable being on his own at a job with only me in the house or if perhaps he's got some form of anxiety or something so I don't want to put pressure on him to stay if he doesn't want to/company won't allow it)

OP posts:
UncleSue · 07/10/2014 14:29

I wouldn't , could someone else collect them maybe?

Original poster
PrettyPictures92 · 07/10/2014 14:31

New to the area, don't know anyone here and have no friends/family in this part of the country so no one to help collect them :(

OP posts:
UncleSue · 07/10/2014 14:33

Why don't you ask him how long he will be and maybe call the school office to say you will be a bit late and can they wait in office?
Tricky one

Poolbirthx2 · 07/10/2014 14:34

I would - i have done this before! You have all his details

LurkingHusband · 07/10/2014 14:36

We would never leave strangers in our house alone, more for their own protection, than because we distrust them ... if anything were to go missing or turn up broken, they'd be the first suspect. To be honest if I were in his situation, I would refuse to work alone, for much the same reason.

asmallandnoisymonkey · 07/10/2014 14:37

Oh for goodness sake - he will be fine! Leave him to it!

Original poster
PrettyPictures92 · 07/10/2014 14:37

Think he'll be another hour or two in the very least so not sure if the school will be able to keep them. I'm not worried about leaving him here, more worried that he's too nervous to be left iyswim? He's very jumpy etc, I don't want to ask him and for him to feel more under pressure. Guess I'm gonna need to though lol

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BumpNGrind · 07/10/2014 14:38

I would but only if this person was from a company and the company had insurance etc.

I've left tradespeople in my house all day when I've gone to work but only under those conditions. Granted I'd prefer to be in the house but sometimes needs must and you won't be long getting the kids from school.

Dizzywizz · 07/10/2014 14:38

I would leave him.

JimmyCorkhill · 07/10/2014 14:38

I would totally leave him on his own and have done with countless tradespeople.

molesbreath · 07/10/2014 14:38

Be firm. If you don't want to leave him then you have to tell him you are going out in X minutes and will be X minutes and would he mind having a tea break in his van.

Make him a cuppa as well !

londonrach · 07/10/2014 14:40

Depends on the man, and if you trust him. Who does he work for.

heebiegeebie · 07/10/2014 14:41

I always do this! We had decorators last year, couldn't have stayed in all week!

sillymillyb · 07/10/2014 14:41

Is leave him - we used to renovate houses (while we lived in them for our sins) and would often do this. Needs must! They will be used to just cracking on - he's prob more nervous with you there to be honest!

SnotandBothered · 07/10/2014 14:42

I leave tradespeople but am always vague about how long I'll be.

I say things like "I'm just popping out" or "Dashing to the shops - don't be alarmed if my DH comes home!"

This way try don't know how long you will be gone, who might appear and are less likely to try and make off with the silver candlesticks.... (Caveat: we have no silverware whatsoever)

Leave him but be vague about your return.

SarkyWench · 07/10/2014 14:43

DH and I work FT.
If we didn't leave tradesmen in our house alone we would have no carpet/walls/windows :)

totally normal IME

Aeroflotgirl · 07/10/2014 14:45

Yes I would leave him in the house. Take your wallet and Keys with you. He's an adult not a child, as a tradesman I am sure he us insured.

Fanfeckintastic · 07/10/2014 14:49

I wouldn't think twice, have left all sorts of tradespeople in the house. Wouldn't have the time to sit around for the whole job!

wobblyweebles · 07/10/2014 14:50

I've had contractors in my house non-stop for the last two weeks. They're been letting themselves in and out without me being here...

Downamongtherednecks · 07/10/2014 14:50

I would trust him too, but some companies don't allow their employees to be left alone in case you accuse him of theft.

gentlehoney · 07/10/2014 14:56

Yes. His company will have a policy and he will let you know if he is not allowed to.

wonkylegs · 07/10/2014 15:03

I've had various tradespeople in my house for the past year if I hadn't left them to get on then I would have been a prisoner in my own home & DS wouldn't have gone to school for most of the year.
He'll be fine be vague and say your only popping out to do the school run.

MrsCumbersnatch · 07/10/2014 15:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
PrettyPictures92 · 07/10/2014 15:25

Left him by himself and he managed to lock himself out his van so nothing got done while I was away, some other company man has just turned up to help though so hopefully they'll be finished soon! (I really need a pee but they're doing the hall and stairs atm so me and kids are sitting it the garden)

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Original poster
PrettyPictures92 · 07/10/2014 15:27

MrsCumbersnatch I didn't have a choice of when they came, I was told anywhere between 9 am and 4pm

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