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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New neighbour wanting free work done

260 replies

Nothankyou0 · 31/07/2020 18:42

We’ve just had a new lady move in two doors down from us. There are 3 different tradesmen living on this stretch of road one being my husband. I’ve noticed that since this lady has moved in, she is really taking the piss. For example, before she met my husband I noticed that the other two tradesmen were very regularly helping her with her house (she has gutted it all and is doing it up). We’re friends with them and know that she isn’t paying them. They’ll do things like give her lifts to b&q and back helping her bring materials into her house, concerting her garden and other things inside the house. Then she met my husband and ever since she’s been texting every day asking advice, she has had him round there every night for the last 4 days two hours at a time helping her fit cables in her house. She isn’t paying him for this. She’s now hinting at him fitting her new kitchen (obviously she is paying for all of the supplies etc) My husband says he doesn’t mind but to be honest I’m getting pissed off as he’s missed dinner with me and the children while he’s there and also the fact that she barely knows him and is getting free work done. I think this woman is obviously trying her luck to see how much free work she can get done between the three men. I want to say that I don’t want my husband going there anymore unless she is paying him his normal rate (or even mates rates as after all she is our neighbour and we’re happy to help when we can but without taking the piss!) what would you say?

OP posts:
hellywelly3 · 31/07/2020 18:45

If it was my husband I’d be giving his head a shake. Is she very attractive?

OneWomanOneDog · 31/07/2020 18:46

I think you're being absolutely reasonable.

SpeedofaSloth · 31/07/2020 18:47

YANBU

AnnieOH1 · 31/07/2020 18:47

I'll be perfectly honest OP, this has got my spidey senses tingling and I wouldn't want my DH doing the work even at twice the price. Something most strange that (a) someone could have the sheer gall to have such expectations and (b) that THREE separate tradesmen have all been beguiled into helping this perfect stranger. :/

Dreeple · 31/07/2020 18:48

If you can’t tell him it stops immediately, tell her.

TorkTorkBam · 31/07/2020 18:49

I would have the three men get together and realise they are being taken advantage of and collectively agree how they will tell her the freebies are over. Work is now chargeable.

What do she do for a living? Can you demand free dentistry or pies or something from her?

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 31/07/2020 18:50

Give his head a wobble. It'll never end. Tell him to refer her to you for the billing, I bet she stops calling.

MrsSSG · 31/07/2020 18:50

What?! Why are all these men doing this?! Bizarre. Is she very attractive?

letmethinkaboutitfornow · 31/07/2020 18:51

YANBU - my first thought was also - is she attractive? 😂

Whatsnewpussyhat · 31/07/2020 18:52

What utter mugs.

crimsonlake · 31/07/2020 18:52

I wish I lived on your street and could manage to get free work done...she certainly casts a spell. She is a CF and yanbu.

Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 31/07/2020 18:53

Sounds like she's trying her luck across the 3 of them. I'd encourage your husband to talk to the other two to work out just how much free labour she's had.

CalmdownJanet · 31/07/2020 18:53

Well she's a new neighbour not a mate so I wouldn't even give her a discount but yanbu, give a pisstaker an inch and they will take a mile so if he does this for free then he only has himself to blame when she is taking the piss out of him years from now too. I mean why would he even want to do it for free? Is she good looking? This makes no sense at all. I wouldn't be happy

LovingLola · 31/07/2020 18:55

Is your husband enjoying helping her? Is he happy to do it? Or is he complaining?

Tigerstripe20 · 31/07/2020 18:55

Why did he give his number out so freely to her?

She's taking advantage and it won't stop, people like her always want something more done for free

My DH is in a trade and stopped helping out for free and giving free advice years ago, some people have the absolute cheek to ask for stuff that can cost thousands under the guise of friends, family etc

InFiveMins · 31/07/2020 18:57

Sounds like they all fancy her Grin YANBU - he shouldn't be doing jobs for her for free. I'd be wary.

thefourgp · 31/07/2020 18:59

Three tradesmen doing hours of unpaid work for a stranger. Sounds like she’s flirting with them.

nokidshere · 31/07/2020 19:00

To be fair, it's not her fault that the men are all stupid is it? No harm is asking for a freebie but the onus to refuse or accept is on the person doing the work.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 31/07/2020 19:03

What? A quick favour maybe, but hours of work for free for a stranger from 3 different men! What the fuck?!?!!

giantangryrooster · 31/07/2020 19:03

Could the men/your dh say 'yes would love to do xyz, I will give you a quote Halo'. Otherwise tell your dh his services are needed at home.

Original poster
Nothankyou0 · 31/07/2020 19:05

I wouldn’t say she’s attractive at all to be honest but yes I was getting a funny vibe from her. I knocked on her door last night after an hour to retrieve him because the children were going to bed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nothankyou0 · 31/07/2020 19:07

My husband seems happy to do it, but I’ve told him to finish the bit he’s in the middle of and doing no more. He can’t see why I’m pissed off because she’s “such a nice lady”

OP posts:
OdaMaeBrown · 31/07/2020 19:08

I need a new kitchen. Where are you based?

DoIneed1 · 31/07/2020 19:08

You have a husband problem, not a neighbour one!!

midwifeyNC · 31/07/2020 19:08

God. Men really are bloody idiots aren't they