To not employ a tradesman who smokes

[Pob13]

We are trying to find a carpenter to do some work. First one came today to have a look, he seemed good but absolutely stank of smoke. He's been gone over an hour and I can still smell it. I just dont think I could have him in our house for several days.
So, would you be honest and give that as the reason or just say you are going with someone else?!

If I was lucky enough to get a tradesman to actually show up these days I wouldn’t care if he mainlined heroin as long as he did a decent job. Smoking isn’t ideal, but if you lose him you’ll just have to find one somewhere else.

Definitely wouldn't give it as a reason as it's not particularly useful feedback for him is it? I doubt it's suddenly going to make him give up if he's a heavy smoker.

If he was really good I'd just open a window and light a candle or spray some (MN hated) air freshener when he's gone!

He may have been working in someone's house and the smoke from them has clung to his clothing

Apart from that you are being ridiculous!

This 😂

I work with tradesmen

He's shrug it off and move on to next customer and have a good laugh about it with us all!!

😂 that is a very good point!

This absolutely 😂

I wouldn't tell him that, no. You'll sound bonkers.

Fine to not want someone working in your house for whatever reason, and it's obviously something that really bothers you, but I strongly doubt he's a) going to stop smoking as a result of your feedback or b) actually losing any other work because of it, so he gains nothing from knowing why you decided to go with someone else.

My motto is fags and weed, glue and speed, but I draws the line at crack. That way, everyone knows where they stand.

@fudfootedfannybangle

Well I'd not want someone in my home sawing wood and using power tools off their face in weed or glue

Smokers Are nothing in comparison

This 😂😂

I couldn't care less really TBH as long as he got the job done. Not a smoker and don't love the smell but I'm not sufficiently neurotic about it that I wouldn't hire someone for being a smoker.

You would look really weird and controlling if you told him that tbh.

Send him and his fags here OP. I've been trying to get a carpenter for months

This. With bells on!!

We had someone quote yesterday which we waited 12 months for them to come and quite and weve booked them to do the work. They are starting the work September 2023.

As long as they don't smoke indoors, I couldn't care less

I'm the trade and where we are, decent carpenters are like rocking horse shit. Well, ones who are actually available any time soon. So it depends how desperate you are but it's a bit of a wet reason to me and I suspect if you tell him, he will likely thank you secretly as he will think he's dodged a bullet.

If I could get a carpenter I would buy him a 100 fags for being able to do the job 😂

As long as they don't try to smoke in my house it's fine. I often see them light up in their van when they are having a break. Not my business.

That
I've miraculously found a plumber who turns up within 24hrs and is reasonably priced and does a great job
I'm never letting him go

You got a tradesman to show up & you're bitching that he smokes I'm married to one & can't even get him to show up for work here.

So long as he's not smoking in your house, YABVU, buy some febreeze or burn a nice smelly candle & let him crack on

No, wouldn't want someone who stank of cigarettes. Never had a cigarette in my life.

I haven't experienced this tradesman shortage and I wouldn't want my house smelling of smoke - but he wouldn't be in the whole house and he wouldn't be chain smoking through the day. He'd probably just had a cigarette on his way to you.

What if the next one smokes?

You can choose whatever reason you like not to use someone but I see no value or point in telling him why. If you find someone else who you like better (because he doesn't smoke) then crack on, hire him and let the smoker head off to another job.

If I could get him to commit to turning up and doing a good job, I’d probably offer him a cigarette with his coffee and biscuits (and I don’t smoke).

I had a tiler once who was WEIRDLY keen on my cat, kept whtsapping me pictures of him during the day and telling me what he (the cat) was doing, but my bathroom looked amazing when he finished so I’d totally use him again. Maybe send the cat to MIL first for the day.

My point is, you can tolerate a lot to keep a good tradesman. My cat might disagree.