New neighbour wanting free work done

[Nothankyou0]

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?

The stupid one is not the one who asks, but the one that gives.

Doesn't translate well but you get the gist.

I need a new kitchen too. I make lovely cakes.

Tell him you need him home to mind the kids because your going to dave down the road to cook his tea

Love the replies!!
She's a quick worker, finding out so quickly where the tradesmen live!
Nip it in the bud, op.
Meanwhile, I could use a plasterer.............

Honestly, sometimes this site really makes me laugh. My husband has a trade, he's spent most of lockdown helping others, particularly our single women friends who aren't comfortable doing the job themselves. Fuck me, does that mean old Margaret over the road is chasing him or he's chasing her? I could chap any of my neighbours to ask them to help me and not one of the wives would bother. People help each other!?

Next week, ops post, dh been banging betty next door... Aye ok

3 men?! She must have something very special, sadly denied to most of us😁. Have a word OP, it's not like the great British workman to be giving time free of charge.

Wondering how this can happen? First check if she can suck a tennis ball through a hosepipe?

@Nothankyou0

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”

Sometimes you Brits are too nice for your own good.

Tell your husband to "think like a New Yorker" the next time he speaks to her.

I'm sure they are capable of saying no if they don't want to do it. If not, that's a bigger issue.

Where are all these trades people with so much time to piss away? I’ve got jobs needing done for free too.

Think that this woman can only ask. But it's really down to your husband to say no! He needs to be busy every night this week and tell her " sorry I'm busy tonight". Its alright to help out occasionally, but anything more than once a week is taking the Micky!

I’ve sent my husband to help lots of my friends during lockdown. I’ve helped people too- I joined the NHS volunteer group... am I a mug too?

ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble - Where did that come from? So true. Very funny too

Perhaps its not money she is paying with!! Never heard anything so odd, 1 man doing jobs for free, but 3, mmm very suspicious.

Curious to know how she got your husband's number so quickly to text him constantly. Wink.

I would have no issue helping someone in a crisis, the neighbours around here are great for that, but this kind of manipulation is fluttering eyelash territory, helpless female sort of thing.

I would be a bit angry if it were my husband TBH.

My partners in the trade he does nothing for free. I would no way be putting up with this!

I need work doing, and it taking weeks and weeks to just sort out a tradesman, never mind get a quote. I wished I lived on your street

@Nothankyou0
I think this is a husband problem. If he can't understand why it bothers you, you need to ask him why he'd rather spend his free time working for free for a neighbour he barely knows than spending time with his family.

OP, what's happening to you was actually a two-part play on Radio 4 not so long ago:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000glnk

@Highlights12

Tell him you need him home to mind the kids because your going to dave down the road to cook his tea

😂🤣😂

There is no way I’d put up with this OP. The woman has no shame therefore you should have no shame putting her in her place either (if your DH is too chicken to do it)

@Imissmoominmama

I’ve sent my husband to help lots of my friends during lockdown. I’ve helped people too- I joined the NHS volunteer group... am I a mug too?

This person isn't a friend.

He should stop replying as much. If she asks for work doing he should say yes and my price is £x.

I need some rubbish cleared out from my garden. Is your DH available? I think I’m nice but maybe not as I find getting tradesmen in to be a nightmare.

Hmm so what does she say to get a new kitchen fitted for free, asking for a friend.