I have a man painting the outside of my house...

[SoupDragon]

... how often should I offer him drinks?

I hate having workmen about.

Offer every time I have one. God, I have job visiting people in their homes, we hate those who never offer drinks.

My mum once had a plumber in to sort the bathroom who was about 80, bless him. He had come prepared with a nice box of sandwiches and a couple of chicken legs. He foolishly left the box open when he took out his first sarnie, and when he turned bak, my mum's mental dog had eaten all his lunch. My mum was very and cooked him something nice for lunch to compensate.

If they're outdoors, my MIL sets up a table w/battery operated kettle, bags, water, sugar, milk in a cool jug, plastic cups and bin.

B/c she likes to leave the house and flit about too much.

My DH is a painter & decorator and I'd hate to think of some nasty old woman not even offering him a cuppa - especially if its a cold dreary day.
It's only polite and they only usually take one or 2 anyway

But what if you need to be out, Foghorn? Is it customary to stay at home whilst they are there? I mean, these blokes were putting a conservatory up outside in June.

'nasty old woman'.

That's a lovely way to describe clients!

That's my description obviously, not DH's. He is much more professional than that.
Of course if you need to go out you need to go out but IMO it is rude not to offer when you are sitting in and probably making yourself a brew anyway.

She left 'em to it and was gone pretty much the whole time.

Jools is in Cumbria.

Soupy is in Surrey, I think.

Thanks Sherlock, getting a bit desperate, can you tell?! Was a bit of a hijack, sorry.

FWIW I'm over generous with tea/coffee, think it must be difficulte being in someone else's house all day. Also use it as an excuse to get nice biscuits in which are usually eaten by me!

another hijack.. sorry... what is the general rate for a painter decorator??? - foghorn leghorn - dh a decorator...

had a blokey over this moring to give a quote for painting sitting room, hall way, stairway, spare room, extra coat of white in bathroom and kitchen and skirting boards and door frames... have absolutely not a clue what is a decent days rate???

tia!

we had 2 quotes for painting living room (quite large) master bed (also large) and hall landing on stairs (also large over 3 floors) that was for 2 coats of paint to walls and ceilings - doesn't include woodwork

one was about £1500 and the £2500 we went for the cheaper option and he's been great - a one man band but very polite and gets on with the job, clean worker - I'd recommend him without hesitation.

sigh... cumbria is a little far from birmingham... !

i'm hoping for a quote under £1000

fingers crossed... although i do need to get another quote... only had one so far!

thanks...

South London/SUrrey, AnelaSunshine. I think the painter is from, er, Redhill or something else nearby beginning with R

Oh, and he only accepted one of my 3 offers of tea

I plan on being out tomorrow. Will tell him to help himself.

I work in peoples gardens & the customers who are in,but don't offer me a cup of tea are the first to get bumped for a better class of customer!

I ALWAYS offer workmen tea,& if they are there for any length of time,tell them to make as much tea/coffee as they like.