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

How do you cope with workmen in your house?

43 replies

stillholly · 16/11/2023 13:42

I asked them to be here of course as work needs to be done, but after a few weeks it's starting to take its toll.

Is anyone else stressed out by having people working in their house?

I've had to raise an issue, which was awkward.

We've had a few days where they haven't turned up so it's rolling over week by week to compete.

It's just annoying that I don't have the house to myself like I usually would.

Is this normal for me to feel like this?

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 16/11/2023 13:49

Totally normal. I hate it, and almost everyone I know breathes a sigh of relief when they leave (hopefully with the work completed).

ChocolateCinderToffee · 16/11/2023 13:50

I hate it. Even the nice ones.

HelpIcantfindaname · 16/11/2023 13:57

I absolutely hate having workmen in. Most knock or call out when they want your attention, recently though one walked right through to the sitting room before calling out & said hello to the cat!

I'm quite a shy person & just don't feel comfortable with workmen here. I had to take ill health retirement recently & we have since had quite a few things done in the house & garden, & it's always me that's here.

I've had them come late, not turn up, start the job & then have to go elsewhere before completing.

I don't even like it when the window cleaner comes. After Christmas we are getting downstairs decorated - I'm gona have to hide upstairs with the dogs.

Obviously I'm grateful that we can get people to come & do jobs, but I'm always so relieved when they are done & I can relax.

ManateeFair · 16/11/2023 16:06

I think most people would just rather have their home to themselves, yes.

Whenever I've had people working in my house they've always been nice people who have done a good job. They've never been rude or inconsiderate or anything like that, so it's not about them being difficult or unreliable, I'm just always glad when they've finished the job and gone home. It's a bit stressful having people you don't know in the house because you can't really relax and you're just kind of aware of them all the time.

WaltzingWaters · 16/11/2023 16:11

I hate it. But better when it’s my house and my choice, and the work being done is benefitting me. Absolutely hated it when I was renting for only 6 months and the ll wanted to make a load of changes in those 6 months. I wanted to just relax whilst my baby was napping. They also seemed to always come on a sunny day when I wanted to be outside sunbathing!

Stephisaur · 16/11/2023 16:16

I really dislike having people in my house, so I tend to schedule work for when I'm in the office. I hang around to let them in, give them a spare key and tell them to lock up when they're done. They can keep the key for the duration of the job, after that they post it back through the letterbox.

Plenty of our neighbours are around during the day. The only thing worth pinching in the house is the TV and I'd like to think someone would notice that walking out 😂

LlynTegid · 16/11/2023 16:17

I abhor lateness, that would be the thing I would not like.

Oxomoco · 16/11/2023 16:21

We’ve been gradually renovating our house while mostly living in it for the last three years, so there’s been someone here a lot of the time for ages. I’m pretty used to it by now.

I’ve had to correct some anachronistic 1950s assumptions that I’m a little woman who can sit around all day to let them in, by pointing out tartly that I have a FT job and while I can WFH some of the time, some of the time they’ll get a quicker answer from DH. Despite him 1) having testicles and 2) being a CEO. Also, when I am at home in my study, I am at work, not the tea maker. Text if you need a decision on something, and I will get to it asap. I did spend far more time in my workplace office last year than usual.

I’ve now got very good at quickly spotting who not to hire. Most people have been great — our architect has become a good friend, and our most recent plumber is lovely, but there was one utter loon I had to call the police on after I fired him, and he showed up behaving threateningly.

Like most things, good boundaries, good communication, making your expectations clear etc help. But I hear you. It does feel like an invasion.

Lottaflowers · 16/11/2023 16:31

I also hate it but it is an unfortunate necessity for some things. I am learning to do things myself where I can. Most people we've had have been quite nice so I wouldn't say we've had any bad ones. But what I can't stand (but they can totally get away with because they are so in demand) is the lax attitude to dates and times. They definitely treat you as if you have absolutely nothing else going on in your life so will just give you a day and if you are lucky, an approximate time, without actually asking if you will be home then! Also just find it completely impossible to get clear answers on anything. They don't have time to actually listen and give you any details. God forbid you might want something in writing! They just say "Yeah, yeah, blah, blah" and in no way actually answer your questions. And this is the ones who are nice! I dread the day we get one who isn't.

Janeandme · 16/11/2023 16:34

I love it, it means I’m getting needed work doing and I usually find the process very interesting, I love to see the progress and like chatting to them. Of course by the end I’m like hurry up and go now, but generally I can stay away from them in another room as I please and go take a peak and chat when I wish.

MidnightOnceMore · 16/11/2023 16:35

I hate it. I wish I lived in a bronze age settlement that I could fix myself.

I sometimes think I'd rather the place fell down that I had to have people round to fix it.

Snoken · 16/11/2023 16:50

@Janeandme I’m with you. I quite like having additional company. I think I’ve been quite lucky with the workmen I’ve had around too as they have always been nice and fun to chat to.

Neverendingstory2 · 16/11/2023 17:05

I had my master and kids bathrooms remodeled in March. I thought it would be a week maybe two week job, it ended up taking 5 weeks! I had to sleep on the sofa as they had my bedroom covered in plastic. Sometimes they wouldn't show up, and when they did they always showed up late and would stay til 6 or 7 at night. Plus it was strange to have them in the house for days on end, weeks on end. Couldn't take a shower for about a week while they were laying down the tiles, so we had to wash up in the sink (my DD found free memberships at gyms so she could use their showers 😂) I'm not sure I will ever remodel anything in my house again.

Saltysal · 16/11/2023 17:06

I am really bad at it, I just feel so awkward. I can't work out what I'm meant to do, and can't get on with anything until they leave. Would rather do the work myself (and do as much as possible!)

bakermummy21 · 16/11/2023 17:27

Yes agree. Although it can be awkward for the tradesmen being in the house too. Having to ask if it's ok to use the loo etc

Original poster
stillholly · 16/11/2023 17:28

Thanks everyone for understanding where I'm coming from!

Another thing is that asking them to do things, I never know if they think I'm being cheeky or if they should have just done it anyway as part of the actual job.

Think toilet roll holder in new downstairs toilet when job was to install toilet, paint and tile. You'd think putting up accessories to really finish the job would be part of it. But I didn't specify this when giving the job. But they also didn't ask - Argh

OP posts:
bizzey · 16/11/2023 17:42

Wow ..I thought I had started this thread and forgotten about it when I saw the title 🤣🤣!

Absolutely hate it !

The not knowing what time they are going to arrive is the worst .

gannett · 16/11/2023 17:49

I think everyone would agree that it's ideal to have your house to yourself and not to have strangers banging around but I can't really see how workmen doing work that you presumably need doing rise to the level of a "how do I possibly cope" problem. It's really unusual to feel like you can't do anything or anything other than minor awkwardness. I just get on with what I need to get on with and let them do the same. If you really can't cope you do have the choice not to hire them.

Coastalcreeksider · 16/11/2023 17:57

Hate it, carpet being fitted tomorrow but I do know it shouldn't be too long to do.

I would really love my bathroom remodelled by removing bath and putting in a walk in shower, new loo and sink and some cupboard space.

I just can't face it, I only have the one loo and the thought of not having one whilst the new one is fitted is a step too far. I just know I would keep needing to go and the thought of more than just needing a wee keeps me from arranging to get it done. 😱🙄

Original poster
stillholly · 17/11/2023 07:27

Another thing is that I feel like I have to tidy and straighten the house up before they arrive. So if I have a day where I have a bit of washing up from the night before that I may have left until
Later. I feel like I have to sort the house out ready for their arrival.

OP posts:
FourChimneys · 17/11/2023 07:46

I don't mind at all. I like getting the work done and we have been fortunate with mostly decent guys.

We always provide lots of tea and coffee, I leave a tin of homemade cake and tell them they are welcome to use the toilet.

Like a pp I generally find the process interesting and I feel confident about asking for information or tweaks to the plan if necessary.

Our lovely builder does have some funny stories to tell about other house owners though, I guess it works both ways.

Foodieasfuck · 17/11/2023 07:48

I hate it too! Even when the builders / workmen are lovely. I’m not good at sharing my personal space

sorrynotathome · 17/11/2023 07:50

I hate it, but I find it much easier with the tradespeople who I've known for years, trust and like. The ones who come when they say they will come, do the job well and respect that it's my house/home/castle! I hate it when I lose one of these through retirement or moving or whatever.

barnowl222 · 17/11/2023 07:54

Yeah I hate it too. I try to be out if I can. Either at work or I'll take myself shopping for the day and let dh deal with them. I don't usually have qualms about leaving them alone in my home if I have to, I'll just make sure I'm back in time for them leaving.

We had a big renovation recently that took nearly a month. Luckily it was a part of the house we could just shut off and I barely saw them. When we had our radiators and boiler done in our old house it only took 3-4 days but the men were traipsing in and out of each room constantly so I couldn't get settled anywhere. That was worse than the longer job for me.

Nonplusultra · 17/11/2023 07:55

I hate it. If I can solve it with a couple of you tube videos I will.

They make work anyway - I’ve had to learn how to repair holes, tile, grout and plaster to clear up after the plumber because it’s not worth anyone’s time to do those small jobs, and the painter just painted around the holes.

I’m not naturally house proud but keeping the workman from the door is excellent motivation.