Feeding builders?

corner of hells · 21-05-2019 03:20PM

Boom_Bap wrote: »

What technique do you use to make the tea in your parents.
Milk first?

Pfft , the servants make the tea.

Assetbacked · 21-05-2019 03:25PM

I normally leave out a carrot, bit of Christmas cake and a glass of milk.

GreeBo · 21-05-2019 03:30PM

Its a fine line between building a rapport and them thinking you are a soft touch.

Supernintento Chalmers · 21-05-2019 03:54PM

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

I don't think it's unreasonable to offer a cup of tea, or a few biscuits to a tradesperson. It's a perfectly polite and mannerly thing to do. However there's a culture amongst tradesmen of taking the piss. It's a few years ago, but I was back in my parent's place for a few days R&R. It was a Friday, and they had a tiler in to put in new tiles in an ensuite bathroom. I wasn't aware of this, and immediately offered to pay for the cost of the tiles and labour. They accepted my most generous offer, and headed out for the day to the Burren.

Anyway, this dodgy looking chancer arrives up around 10 in a death trap of a van. In his late 20's, and with that classic tradesman look - buzzcut haircut, tattoos, a set of teeth that look like they are all trying to get as far away from each other as possible, bloodshot eyes, rollie hanging out of the corner of his gob.

I let him into the house, offered him a cup of tea, and then let him off to do his work. I then retired to the garden to read. The majority of the rest of the morning was him either making or taking phone calls with his mates - lots of guffawing, bad language, lurid descriptions of women from the local town, and excitement about going to some dance festival on Saturday night, and how 'off his tits' he was going to get. He also made himself 4 mugs of tea, and each time left the tea bag in the sink itself. I should have known then I was dealing with a semi-feral mucksavage. After a very generous lunch is terms of time taken he returned to an afternoon of being on his phone - interspersed with what sounded like periods of work.

It got to around quarter to 5, and he came into the sitting room where I was listening to the radio. 'All done there, horse', he exclaimed. I enquired as to the cost of the job. I'll do it for 250 squid cash, he said. How generous of you, I said. 'I've got an equally generous offer for you. It's 150e, which represents the going rate of 35e per hour for the amount of actual work I estimated you did'. He started cursing and ranting at me, but I wasn't for moving. He eventually packed up his stuff, called me the c word, and stormed out the door. 'I won't charge you for the tea', I quipped as he hopped into the van and drove off at speed. Such a breathtaking sense of entitlement he had.

Did the same myself. A Plumber, clearly taking the piss of my Mother who lives on my own. Myself and the brother called down for a visit, he was on day 3 of a 1 day job. We told him to pack his tools and go. Refused to give him a cent, told him to get a Solicitor.
I was able to do the job myself in the end, in under a day, just from watching How-To videos on YouTube.

uch · 21-05-2019 04:00PM

Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »

Rivita and green tea.
Always works.

I'd pull yer House asunder if you gave me that!

JohnnyFlash · 21-05-2019 04:06PM

Supernintento Chalmers wrote: »

Did the same myself. A Plumber, clearly taking the piss of my Mother who lives on my own. Myself and the brother called down for a visit, he was on day 3 of a 1 day job. We told him to pack his tools and go. Refused to give him a cent, told him to get a Solicitor.
I was able to do the job myself in the end, in under a day, just from watching How-To videos on YouTube.

You can do most basic trade work by watching videos and a small bit of trial and error. It’s handy stuff.

21-05-2019 04:08PM

Coming from a building background I would leave at a bare minimum tea, coffee, biccys, cake & crisps out. That’s if I wasn’t there. If I’m around I’ll make them a fry at first break and a cold lunch.

Hot weather - Ice lollies and cold drinks and water.

If I saw a couple of tradesmen working outside I’d normally pop out with a tray too. Hot weather menu also provided.

theguzman · 21-05-2019 04:14PM

At what trademen charge why should they fed on top of it? Any sort of clown holding a shovel is making €200 a day now often for Cash price. No way would I be feeding them.

Ush1 · 21-05-2019 04:17PM

I'll offer tea or a drink always. I don't have biscuits in my house and don't wine and dine them.

Supernintento Chalmers · 21-05-2019 04:17PM

theguzman wrote: »

At what trademen charge why should they fed on top of it? Any sort of clown holding a shovel is making €200 a day now often for Cash price. No way would I be feeding them.

It's wise to always be nice. Means they're more likely to be on your side, do a good job, take care of a few small extras for free.
I'd always give them tea biscuits and maybe even a toasted sandwich. Most are very appreciative.

Still waters · 21-05-2019 04:21PM

I was doing an extension for a big farmer in east Clare about 10 years ago, mid summer so he was busy getting ready for silage, he was along way from anywhere so we used bring our own lunch. Never once were we asked did we want a cup of tea nor did we expect it, but I've never been on a domestic job where we've never been offered something even a glass of water on a hot day

One of the days the silage crew landed around 8 in the morning, weather was very good, we were working outside, the lady of the house started setting up a table and chairs outside and was cooking away all morning, come lunchtime the lads doing the silage came back for the lunch and sat into a 3 course dinner less than 30 feet from where we were working, myself and the guy that was with me weren't even asked did we want a cup of tea, we were treated like 2 slaves the entire time we were doing the job, when it came time for payment when we had the job finished she wanted me to knock a hundred off the agreed price, I refused simply because she hadn't the manners to offer us even a cup of tea while they ate like kings beside us, if they were decent I'd have knocked off the hundred but I wouldn't please the miserable cnut

DEFTLEFTHAND · 21-05-2019 04:56PM

Leave out a saucer of milk at the back door.

Slideways · 21-05-2019 07:34PM

Supernintento Chalmers wrote: »

Did the same myself. A Plumber, clearly taking the piss of my Mother who lives on my own. Myself and the brother called down for a visit, he was on day 3 of a 1 day job. We told him to pack his tools and go. Refused to give him a cent, told him to get a Solicitor.
I was able to do the job myself in the end, in under a day, just from watching How-To videos on YouTube.

Sure you did mate. I doubt you’ve the skill to tie your own shoe laces, probably rock crocs after your last attempt.

There’s a reason it’s called a trade, takes years of on the job training and FAS to learn and master. I foresee one of my comrades having to return to your poor mothers house to fix the dogs dinner of a job you did. Probably to American building regulations too :rolleyes:

Supernintento Chalmers · 21-05-2019 07:38PM

Slideways wrote: »

Sure you did mate. I doubt you’ve the skill to tie your own shoe laces, probably rock crocs after your last attempt.

There’s a reason it’s called a trade, takes years of on the job training and FAS to learn and master. I foresee one of my comrades having to return to your poor mothers house to fix the dogs dinner of a job you did. Probably to American building regulations too :rolleyes:

Get real, pal!
Most of what these guys learn in FAS is never used, if they're a house basher then they never really touch the complicated stuff.

And for your information, the metal radiator pipe was leaking, I replaced it with the plasticy stuff, not a single leak 4 years later.

Your Face · 21-05-2019 07:39PM

I used to be a tilers mate years ago.
On the house jobs, we'd always get offered tea & coffee sometimes sandwiches.
It depends on both parties involved.

JustAThought · 21-05-2019 07:43PM

I'd usually offer a cup.of tea/coffew 9n arrival in case they'd had a bad start or long drive or been up finishing off another job since dawn. Of it was an all day job I'd definately offer a sandwich or something but it wouldn't be too.complicated. if I had guys working outside I'd definately be offering coke or 7up & jugs of ice - life is short. But if you're rude and turn up 4 hours late without an apology or semi decent excuse and looking reasonably contrite for wasting a day the job will be cancelled there & then and there will be no tea or sweetness for anyone.

Balanadan · 21-05-2019 07:45PM

Slideways wrote: »

Sure you did mate. I doubt you’ve the skill to tie your own shoe laces, probably rock crocs after your last attempt.

There’s a reason it’s called a trade, takes years of on the job training and FAS to learn and master. I foresee one of my comrades having to return to your poor mothers house to fix the dogs dinner of a job you did. Probably to American building regulations too :rolleyes:

Some of the hatchet jobs people do are hilarious :pac: Too miserable to pay for it to be done properly but they end up paying twice (or more!) because of piss poor quality workmanship and materials.

Edgware · 21-05-2019 07:45PM

Supernintento Chalmers wrote: »

Get real, pal!
Most of what these guys learn in FAS is never used, if they're a house basher then they never really touch the complicated stuff.

And for your information, the metal radiator pipe was leaking, I replaced it with the plasticy stuff, not a single leak 4 years later.

Dead right. Plenty of research beforehand, measure twice and cut once.

Leave electrics to the electrician. An awful lot of the tiling, painting etc can be done yourself. Buy a few of the right tools and think the job out

Mike9832 · 21-05-2019 07:46PM

In my experience if they sense your too nice, they get lazy and take the piss

I watch them like hawks if I don't know them

Then they get might get some biscuits etc

CinammonGirl · 21-05-2019 07:48PM

Thank you all for your insights, v interesting! Can't believe someone wouldn't even offer a drink/cuppa. There is a supermarket / MickeyDs across the road and these lads seem to head over there most of the time. I have no prob at all leaving out the tea/coffee bikkies and even added in some french fancies and chocolate rolls today. They are nice lads and seem to be doing a good job (well I hope tf they are).

JohnnyFlash · 21-05-2019 07:52PM

Balanadan wrote: »

Some of the hatchet jobs people do are hilarious :pac: Too miserable to pay for it to be done properly but they end up paying twice (or more!) because of piss poor quality workmanship and materials.

There’s a decent chunk of tradesmen who are unbelievable chancers of below average intelligence. Many of them left school after the junior cert just so they could go work in a job that allowed them to afford the insurance on a Peugeot 206. Some plumbing and electrical work is best left to a trusted professional, but most carpentry, tiling, brickwork could be done to a high standard by anyone with the right equipment and sense of enthusiasm. It’s not exactly rocket science.

Fr_Dougal · 21-05-2019 07:58PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

There’s a decent chunk of tradesmen who are unbelievable chancers of below average intelligence. Many of them left school after the junior cert just so they could go work in a job that allowed them to afford the insurance on a Peugeot 206. Some plumbing and electrical work is best left to a trusted professional, but most carpentry, tiling, brickwork could be done to a high standard by anyone with the right equipment and sense of enthusiasm. It’s not exactly rocket science.

Enthusiasm and the right equipment is not enough in most cases. You need an eye for it and/or experience. I’ve seen what enthusiastic tiling and brickwork looks like, it’s not pretty.

Balanadan · 21-05-2019 08:01PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

There’s a decent chunk of tradesmen who are unbelievable chancers of below average intelligence. Many of them left school after the junior cert just so they could go work in a job that allowed them to afford the insurance on a Peugeot 206. Some plumbing and electrical work is best left to a trusted professional, but most carpentry, tiling, brickwork could be done to a high standard by anyone with the right equipment and sense of enthusiasm. It’s not exactly rocket science.

There are crap people in every walk of life, I've come across "tradesmen" who shouldn't be so. Some of the DIY tiling jobs I've seen though are shocking altogether, you find the DIY enthusiasts wondering why there are gaps where there shouldn't be or why the tiles are uneven or cracking.

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo · 21-05-2019 08:04PM

JustAThought wrote: »

I'd usually offer a cup.of tea/coffew 9n arrival in case they'd had a bad start or long drive or been up finishing off another job since dawn. Of it was an all day job I'd definately offer a sandwich or something but it wouldn't be too.complicated. if I had guys working outside I'd definately be offering coke or 7up & jugs of ice - life is short. But if you're rude and turn up 4 hours late without an apology or semi decent excuse and looking reasonably contrite for wasting a day the job will be cancelled there & then and there will be no tea or sweetness for anyone.

I see and hear what I want to see and hear. :cool:

the_pen_turner · 21-05-2019 08:20PM

JustAThought wrote: »

I'd usually offer a cup.of tea/coffew 9n arrival in case they'd had a bad start or long drive or been up finishing off another job since dawn. Of it was an all day job I'd definately offer a sandwich or something but it wouldn't be too.complicated. if I had guys working outside I'd definately be offering coke or 7up & jugs of ice - life is short. But if you're rude and turn up 4 hours late without an apology or semi decent excuse and looking reasonably contrite for wasting a day the job will be cancelled there & then and there will be no tea or sweetness for anyone.

Just for the craic. What would you consider a semi decent excuse and what wouldn't you

corner of hells · 21-05-2019 08:25PM

Supernintento Chalmers wrote: »

Get real, pal!
Most of what these guys learn in FAS is never used, if they're a house basher then they never really touch the complicated stuff.

And for your information, the metal radiator pipe was leaking, I replaced it with the plasticy stuff, not a single leak 4 years later.

Surely you mean a copper pipe or maybe gunbarrel ?

The plasticy stuff? Garden house, microbore?

I have a trade myself , I deal in volts and current.

corner of hells · 21-05-2019 08:27PM

CinammonGirl wrote: »

Thank you all for your insights, v interesting! Can't believe someone wouldn't even offer a drink/cuppa. There is a supermarket / MickeyDs across the road and these lads seem to head over there most of the time. I have no prob at all leaving out the tea/coffee bikkies and even added in some french fancies and chocolate rolls today. They are nice lads and seem to be doing a good job (well I hope tf they are).

And just look at the argument you started.

21-05-2019 08:33PM

corner of hells wrote: »

Surely you mean a copper pipe or maybe gunbarrel ?

The plasticy stuff? Garden house, microbore?

I have a trade myself , I deal in volts and current.

Is he talking about qualpex? I think the connections can leak quite often.

SEPT 23 1989 · 21-05-2019 08:37PM

Any of the best tradesmen are booked up until Christmas and beyond

bazz26 · 21-05-2019 08:46PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4X_bdJox8w

Feeding builders?

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