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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:
EinsteinaGogo · 31/07/2020 19:10

@OdaMaeBrown

I need a new kitchen. Where are you based?

😂😂😂

Me too, OP. Can I have your number?

Or I could go and knock on my own street, I suppose!

SavoyCabbage · 31/07/2020 19:11

It’s not really her fault if tradesmen are doing all her work for free!

giantangryrooster · 31/07/2020 19:11

If I try real hard, I can be such a nice lady, do you think you can ship your dh off to me in Scandinavia? Grin

Perhaps she is a dog whistle lady?

Itisbetter · 31/07/2020 19:13

Are they not working? If so perhaps they’re bored, but if they are, I’m baffled.

LovingLola · 31/07/2020 19:15

I knocked on her door last night after an hour to retrieve him because the children were going to bed.

That’s a bit cringe inducing 😬
What excuse is he giving for preferring to help her out ?

TheRealHousewife · 31/07/2020 19:15

@Nothankyou0 Im a really really nice lady ... can your dh pop around tomorrow please? I’ve a bit of plumbing and a couple of shelves to go up😬. I’ll provide tea, coffee, home baked cakes, a stiff drink etc 😂

IShaggedAMarriedMan · 31/07/2020 19:18

I'm an attractive lady in need of some odd jobs done. Nothing major, bit of building work, rewiring, new kitchen.

I'm a bit lonely too and it's been a while. Get your DH to PM me.

thefourgp · 31/07/2020 19:19

@OdaMaeBrown add me onto that list! Lmao.

She doesn’t have to be beautiful to be a flirt and be giving them all an ego boost.

giantangryrooster · 31/07/2020 19:22

Wow IShaggedAMarriedMan and TheRealHousewife
You upped the game Grin, well I will house him, feed him, even show him some touristy places and be overly appreciative and happy about him helping out. Free working holiday.

Whathewhatnow · 31/07/2020 19:23

My first thought was 'is she hot'?

Never mind facial attractiveness....

Is she young?? Good body?? Flattering and stroking egos?? If so there is your answer!

I mean, you cant tell him what to do and who to help but I'd be gently rubbing him about this if I were you. She has spotted a weakness ;)

donquixotedelamancha · 31/07/2020 19:24

She isn’t paying him for this.

Well, not in cash anyway.

Whathewhatnow · 31/07/2020 19:25

Oh good grief. Ribbing! Ribbing!. Not rubbing. Although that may also help to distract him away from her come to think of it ...

Can you imagine him doing this if such a nice man moved in?? No. Didnt think so Grin

donquixotedelamancha · 31/07/2020 19:27

Never mind facial attractiveness....Is she young?? Good body?? Flattering and stroking egos?? If so there is your answer!

I think you are overestimating most blokes. Does she have large breasts, OP?

I'd be gently rubbing him about this if I were you.

The neighbour already has that covered.

Lordamighty · 31/07/2020 19:27

Tell her that you do the accounts & give her the hourly rates. Then advise her that you will be billing her for his time as you can’t afford to give away his labour for free. He is an idiot for being sucked in.

giantangryrooster · 31/07/2020 19:29

*I'd be gently rubbing him about this if I were you.

The neighbour already has that covered*

Grin
Fluffycloudland77 · 31/07/2020 19:30

Ah she makes him feel like a knight in shining armour doesn’t she?.

My first thought was she’s either fit or has big boobs.

Either way it needs to stop. It’s cutting into family time.

Floralnomad · 31/07/2020 19:30

I think you’ve already been too tolerant , he’d have an hour tonight to finish and what isn’t done isn’t done , the end .

Quartz2208 · 31/07/2020 19:31

ASk him how he would feel if you were spending time at a nice man house rather than with your family

IndieTara · 31/07/2020 19:32

I think I want to move to your street ! I'm single and while I'm not bad diy wise, sometimes you do need a man. Or three...

DonttouchthatLarry · 31/07/2020 19:37

It's like that episode of The Big Bang Theory when the attractive neighbour moved in and the guys were falling over themselves to help her Grin

happinessischocolate · 31/07/2020 19:39

She obviously knows how to butter them up doesn't she. Men get competitive too, so they're probably trying to outdo each other.

You could tell him to grow up and put his dick tongue back in or suddenly have to spend time with a very hunky nice male friend who needs your help for 2 hours every night.

Brefugee · 31/07/2020 19:41

Work out how much your husband would get if this was paid work and tell him that's how much your household is missing by him doing this.

Of course she's getting people to work for free, who wouldn't if they had the chance? (well plenty of people, but CFs love free)

letmethinkaboutitfornow · 31/07/2020 19:42

😂😂😂😂😂 cannot stop laughing!
Sorry OP! I am sure it’s a serious subject for you 😉

I am also in need of a new kitchen and possibly a bathroom! Happy to take you and the kids around Windsor and Legoland in return 😉😉😉

SantaClaritaDiet · 31/07/2020 19:43

Is it just me thinking "good for her"? It wouldn't occur to most of us to even ask, but if she does and people agree.. then why not?

I can't comprehend why anyone would want to fit a kitchen for free or anything - I know what the posters have written above Grin - but if they are... why ever not.

Unless she is selling a sob story and conning them, well good for her.

SantaClaritaDiet · 31/07/2020 19:44

@donquixotedelamancha

Never mind facial attractiveness....Is she young?? Good body?? Flattering and stroking egos?? If so there is your answer!

I think you are overestimating most blokes. Does she have large breasts, OP?

I'd be gently rubbing him about this if I were you.

The neighbour already has that covered.

Thank god there's no such thing as stereotypes on MN 😂