Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

The tale of the fluffy blanket and the dodgy electrics

817 replies

IvyPlant · 22/09/2022 12:39

For those following this existing thread: www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4635864-tradesperson-inviting-people-into-my-home?page=1 aka the tale of the fluffy blanket and the dodgy electrics thread, it continues here.

Nothing new to add at the moment though, but the previous thread is almost at capacity.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Dave20 · 22/09/2022 20:31

Pardon me but what’s the fluffy blanket all about? I can’t go through 45 pages to see!

Original poster
IvyPlant · 22/09/2022 20:33

Having reviewed today's footage, nothing much to report which is a relief. He has messaged me this evening saying he's going to work here tomorrow (bringing it up to a total of 8 working days) instead of coming back Saturday. That means he'll be handing over my certificates tomorrow.

My plan is to come home from work early tomorrow without little one and speak to him about the uninvited visitor then, after getting keys and certificates first. I'll let you know how it goes.

OP posts:
Dunnoburt · 22/09/2022 20:34

The suspense of this one Is genuinely Killin me 😃

Original poster
IvyPlant · 22/09/2022 20:34

When the woman came round, I saw the guy getting a blanket and a pillow out from his van. It looked to be a fluffy blanket.

OP posts:
Dave20 · 22/09/2022 20:46

I wonder how the OP will approach the conversation?
Will she go all Detective Colombo and say “just more thing I got to ask “…

Then play the footage.She could say to Mr Tradesmen “now Mr Tradesmen, I’ve never met your dear wife but I’m pretty damn sure that’s not her!

In all seriousness, he couldn’t run nasty and defensive so I’d be prepared for that.

PineOrange · 22/09/2022 20:48

Reminds me of the Monty Python Blackmail Sketch 😂

PurpleCatCuddles · 22/09/2022 20:48

I am so sorry but I'm placemarking because I REALLY want to see what happens tomorrow.

CaptainSamCarter · 22/09/2022 21:03

OP please tell me you have printed out various screenshots from the footage to present in a big dramatic crime drama style.

CoconutQueen · 22/09/2022 21:09

Good luck OP!

Hmmmm21 · 22/09/2022 21:15

Just to let you know, your previous thread was mentioned on a local radio station in Ireland today!

Scrambler4 · 22/09/2022 21:15

Good luck and I hope he doesn’t turn nasty. Just a thought, have you saved the camera footage? I hope there’s not a possibility he’s a step ahead of you and deleted the evidence after noticing the camera.

Original poster
IvyPlant · 22/09/2022 21:16

I am getting my evidence together right now in a spreadsheet. In case he claims he doesn't know her at all I was going to print some screenshots so I don't have to show him the videos on my phone. I want to keep my phone out of sight.

As far as I can, the woman has visited over 3 days, although the third day was a flying visit. Just over 8 hours in total across the three days.

I haven't quite worked out the best way to approach it yet. Something to mull over on the drive to work tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
IvyPlant · 22/09/2022 21:18

The videos are all remotely saved, so no chance of him deleting.

OP posts:
HannaHanna · 22/09/2022 21:20

I think I would say "I am not willing to pay for the time that your guest was here." then see what he says. If he claims he was working while she was there I would mention the blanket and pillow and tell him you find it rather unlikely.

Scrambler4 · 22/09/2022 21:20

IvyPlant · 22/09/2022 21:18

The videos are all remotely saved, so no chance of him deleting.

Perfect !

MadeForThis · 22/09/2022 21:21

Would you be happy if he charged you for 7 days instead of 8?

Despite the loss of wages it just feels like he will move on the the next job and do the same again.

MadeForThis · 22/09/2022 21:21

Would you be happy if he charged you for 7 days instead of 8?

Despite the loss of wages it just feels like he will move on the the next job and do the same again.

Dave20 · 22/09/2022 21:21

OP don’t mean this in a nasty way, but even when you found out about this dodgy situation, you allowed it to happen. Didn’t it bother you knowing that the lady could come over again yet you wanted the tradesmen to continue working?
I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting him carry on knowing he’s got an uninvited guest

ArrrMeHearties · 22/09/2022 21:30

I'm going to finish the last few pages of the last thread then catch up on this one

Original poster
IvyPlant · 22/09/2022 21:31

Dave20 · 22/09/2022 21:21

OP don’t mean this in a nasty way, but even when you found out about this dodgy situation, you allowed it to happen. Didn’t it bother you knowing that the lady could come over again yet you wanted the tradesmen to continue working?
I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting him carry on knowing he’s got an uninvited guest

So okay, there's two points about your question.

Firstly, when I found out it happened, I didn't allow it to happen, it had already happened.

Do you mean I allowed it to potentially continue?

Yes I did. The alternative option was to confront him as soon as he was back again (4 days later) and risk him not finishing the job or doing something to sabotage it. I don't know if you've read my previous messages on the other thread, but as half of my property did have power at that stage, I didn't want to risk it. Plus, I only had evidence of this woman walking towards my garden area. I could hear the camera she was likely entering through the back gate as it makes a distinctive grating sound as it opens, but I had no footage of her inside the house.

Now I have footage of her inside my house and I know for certainty he knows her and vice versa.

So yes I allowed the behaviour to continue to ensure my house was safe electrically speaking, and to gather enough evidence so he can't try and deny knowledge of her being there.

OP posts:
Original poster
IvyPlant · 22/09/2022 21:32

Half of my property did NOT* have power...

Apologies, it's been a long day/week.

OP posts:
Original poster
IvyPlant · 22/09/2022 21:36

MadeForThis · 22/09/2022 21:21

Would you be happy if he charged you for 7 days instead of 8?

Despite the loss of wages it just feels like he will move on the the next job and do the same again.

Again, happy is the wrong word I think.

Fair is possibly the right word.

There have been days when my driveway cam has been switched off completely due to no power so I don't have full visibility of who was coming and going unless they went past a specific location inside the house. So it could be he wasted more of my time without me knowing. However 8 hours is the minimum the woman has been round, so I think that's the minimum I would seek to dispute.

OP posts:
nonstoprenovation · 22/09/2022 21:43

Can I echo the certificates are crucial, we got totally shafted on a new build.

We had one guy do everything, he vanished on us, and we couldn't get anyone to sign off.. all great if you're staying, but we needed building control and sign off to sell.

I've had sleepless nights over electric certifications!

nonstoprenovation · 22/09/2022 21:43

Can I echo the certificates are crucial, we got totally shafted on a new build.

We had one guy do everything, he vanished on us, and we couldn't get anyone to sign off.. all great if you're staying, but we needed building control and sign off to sell.

I've had sleepless nights over electric certifications!

LouiseTweets · 22/09/2022 21:45

This is such a rock and a hard place situation. You don't want whatever is going on happening, but you can't tell him to leave as you'll be stuck in a bad electric situation.
I hope you get a resolution that you find acceptable.
Looking forward to the camera review.
I reactivated my MN account for this, so placeholder for updates