To hide from the engineer?

[BulletFox]

He's round shortly, I'm coming down with something, so I want to show him in and go back to bed

I wouldn't 'go back to bed if there's a workman in the house, make a hot drink and watch the TV or something whilst they are there.

No that's really odd don't do that. Either reschedule if it's an all day thing or just deal with it for a bit and huddle on the sofa.

You’re coming down with something sounds like you’re not that ill....

I wouldn’t go back to bed. What if he has questions etc?

It's just sore eyes, bunged up nose, headache.

It's a flat so I wouldn't be far away, think it will take him 20 minutes the boiler is in the sitting room)

20 minutes? Unless you're a toddler I think you'll cope!

No MrTrebus

But my armchair is behind some packing boxes so I'd have to hover, and I feel dizzy

I probably wouldn't go to bed with someone I don't know in the house, is rather make a makeshift bed on the sofa.

What kind of work is the engineer doing?

I'd let them in. I'd rather have the boiler repaired.

"What if he has questions etc?"

I'm fairly sure that brown is neutral and carbon monoxide is bad but honestly, if they asked me questions, I'd be looking for another engineer.

I think I would slump st the kitchen table. Or dining room table. Or some other table.

TBH, you could say “I’ll just be sorting some stuff out in here” and retreat to the bedroom though. I probably wouldn’t actually go back to bed.

I'm fairly sure that brown is neutral and carbon monoxide is bad but honestly, if they asked me questions, I'd be looking for another engineer.

Really? Questions like “have there been any problems with the boiler?” Or “do all the radiation heat up OK?”

Radiators. If you have radiation then you have far bigger problems.

"Have there been any problems with the boiler?”

"No, I just invited you around for a chat".

Seriously though, if the OP can use MN she's up to answering any questions, paying, being told how long it will take for parts to arrive etc.

I wouldn't cancel as I'd want the problem ended. I'd go back to bed having told them to knock if they needed anything.

"No, I just invited you around for a chat".

Or the boiler is just being serviced. 🙄

mailTo that was what I was planning to do. Just find out his procedure and what he needs to do, explain I'm not well and ask if it's ok to lie down.

You've managed more than 20 mins on here so just tell him your busy working in which ever room your in now? If I am working at home and a workman is busy I often go back in my study with the door open and carry on working.

Firstly offer them a drink, make that, hand it over and leave the room.

I always say "shout if you need me" and scuttle off, but then my boiler is in a weird place due to buildings works, so you have to go outside to access it from the garden.

There isn't room for two people in there.

He’ll probably want you to leave him to it anyway. Just let him in, show him where the boiler is and collapse on the sofa till he’s done.

I'd probably not go to bed. They always need to ask where the stopcock is, or where is the back door key so they can check the flue outside, or tell you the vents are not to current standards but ok for owner occupiers, or generally give you a presentation on the subject of boilers. I've never had a plumber that didn't require extensive conversation and maintenance.

I'd get dressed and sit or lie down on my made bed but I wouldn't want to be actually in bed with a stranger in the house. That seems odd and I would fell vulnerable. I have no idea why.

I haven't bought a sofa yet and can't go back to bed unless I accidentally sleep through.

Doubt he'd want much chit chat TBH so I'll just explain when he's here and he can call if he needs me

I had my boiler fixed recently and the bedroom was the only place I could get away from them. As I had no heat I lay on the bed under a blanket working/Mumsnetting after making the engineer a hot drink. They didn’t seemed phased. As long as you don’t plan to be there starkers you’ll be fine.

Sit on your milking stool?

Oh and you don’t need to ask permission to lie down. It’s your property to do what you think is best for you.

@Tawdry you’ve not met my husband then!

He’s a plumber, hates having to make small talk, just wants to be left to get on with the job.
It’s my ear he chews off talking about boilers when he gets home!

Engineers are always in people's houses, they see all sorts. Show him where the boiler is, say "Knock on that door if you want anything" and do what you like. I'd keep some clothes on in case he does knock, though.