Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Cadent · 01/08/2020 12:11

was

Original poster
Nothankyou0 · 01/08/2020 12:30

@TheSockMonster this is exactly what I think, that there isn’t any attraction but he gets an ego boost from helping out.

@wheretonow123 she lives on her own, no partner. I’m late twenties DH is early thirties. She’s 3 years older than DH. Other two tradesmen are in their 40s.

OP posts:
Pamalarrrr · 01/08/2020 12:38

@Cadent

There's no way OP is coming back, I don't think she got the reaction she was expected.
Err pardon? Grin
Original poster
Nothankyou0 · 01/08/2020 12:51

@Cadent I’m back bitch!
Haha. Sorry have been away from my phone since my post, baby had injections and has been unwell.

Yes I have had a chat with DH and just said I feel uncomfortable with him carrying on and if he absolutely must do work for her then he needs to give her a quote and do it in his normal work hours and not until 9pm while I’m at home doing everything for the kids on my own.

OP posts:
LovingLola · 01/08/2020 12:52

What did he say?

Original poster
Nothankyou0 · 01/08/2020 12:53

I’m just thinking we both own our houses and we’ve only lived here for 18 months so we are going to be neighbours for quite some time yet, a year down the line she could be majorly piss taking so it needs to be stopped now

OP posts:
Cadent · 01/08/2020 12:54

'There's no way OP is coming back' often flushes them out Wink

Glad to see you back OP!

Original poster
Nothankyou0 · 01/08/2020 12:57

@LovingLola apparently it’s not for free as she’s supposedly going to get us half price memberships for her place of work. I won’t say where as it’s outing but it would save us £15 each a month. I told him I would rather pay full price and he needs to stop going to her house.. he’s cancelled tonight as he was supposed to be going to finish what he was doing there the other night

OP posts:
cheeseybell · 01/08/2020 13:11

[quote Nothankyou0]@LovingLola apparently it’s not for free as she’s supposedly going to get us half price memberships for her place of work. I won’t say where as it’s outing but it would save us £15 each a month. I told him I would rather pay full price and he needs to stop going to her house.. he’s cancelled tonight as he was supposed to be going to finish what he was doing there the other night[/quote]
Op my MIL is like this. Expects everything for free from people she vaguely knows. Cheeky fucker is what she is. I guarantee she will fall out with your DH if he charges or puts a stop to it.
My MIL was having work done by an acquaintance and expected it for free or very cheap. He charged her a low average price and she got very funny about it and they fell out and haven't spoken since.

Original poster
Nothankyou0 · 01/08/2020 13:12

Backtrack! He has text me and said he will be later home tonight as he told her he would finish the work so he has to go there tonight 😬 I’ve replied and said no but I don’t want it to be awkward between everyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nothankyou0 · 01/08/2020 13:13

She actually knocked the other night while we were having dinner and asked DH to go to b&q with her as she wasn’t sure what to get!

OP posts:
Original poster
Nothankyou0 · 01/08/2020 13:16

Thing is it’s not really work that you would give a quote for, its bits and bobs like pouring some concrete, drilling holes for wiring and screwing boards up ready for plaster etc so it’s not a really a complete job.
I’m not sure if she was going to pay him to fit her kitchen or think oh it’s only some screwing parts together it will only take a day and expect it as a favour.

OP posts:
Yeahnahmum · 01/08/2020 13:20

your husband must really not wanna spend any time at home by the looks of it :(

giantangryrooster · 01/08/2020 13:25

Guess she is less annoying/hard work than a baby 🤷‍♀️.

LovingLola · 01/08/2020 13:25

your husband must really not wanna spend any time at home by the looks of it

Think so too ...

MikeUniformMike · 01/08/2020 13:34

Well, it's saving her a fortune.
She is taking the mickey, OP.

What trades are the other tradesmen in your street?

CuriousaboutSamphire · 01/08/2020 13:41

Tell him how it looks, how it makes you feel.

He is now compounding the issue. He knows you are uncomfortable with this and is ignoring it.

Anydreamwilldo12 · 01/08/2020 13:47

Jesus Christ so he doesn't care if he upsets/angers you as long as he can be a knight in shining armour to cheeky cow neighbour. I would be telling her to stop asking him to do jobs, he's a nice bloke and can't say no but you are pissed off with him disappearing for hours.

Ernieshere · 01/08/2020 13:47

Yanbu she is.

She knows what she is doing laughing all the way to the bank

TempName01 · 01/08/2020 13:50

Drop the kids round, say you have things to do and she can watch them while DH is helping her 😄

WellThisWentWell · 01/08/2020 13:56

@ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble

Finland has that exact same saying.
And you said it didn’t translate, so i just took a guess....

Original poster
Nothankyou0 · 01/08/2020 13:57

Me and DH have had a row now as he says he’ll look like an idiot if he’s agreed to go round there tonight and then doesn’t. He’s said I have to go and tell her I won’t let him go Hmm

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 01/08/2020 14:00

Well do just that! Embarrass him further!

He has no idea, does he?

WhiskersPete · 01/08/2020 14:00

Sounds like they're upto something. Go with him and take the kids.

Anydreamwilldo12 · 01/08/2020 14:02

Well he will look like an idiot if you do that but I would do it. I cannot believe the cheek of her, she's so bloody brazen, knocking on your door asking for lifts and knowing she is taking him away for hours from his family.
Knock on the door and tell her you are fed up of her taking a lend of him and it has to stop from now on. You don't want to fall out but she is being being cheeky asking hi to spend hours there doing jobs for her.