getting off on the right foot is always important too.....
amazing how a job can flow well, is comfortable and a pleasant experience when both parties put in a little effort on both sides.
Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Tradesmen etiquette 44Nov 06, 2012 7:39 pm Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Tradesmen etiquette 55Jan 05, 2020 8:51 am I honestly couldn't care,I cater for myself. If i was working outside their house I'd find an empty coke can or something from my truck and fill it from their garden tap,or drink from their hose,and be reminded that i must not forget the next day to bring my own. If I am inside their house and drinks weren't offered,I would ask them if i could grab a glass of water from their kitchen - they are not going to say no- and will most likely offer something from their fridge, or a cup of coffee,which in turn i would either accept or decline -( most likely decline but thats me because I want to get on with the job),and then I have the option of refilling it as i please. They are not going to be upset if I go to their tap and fill a glass of water.I wouldn't get uptight about it as you seem to be. Get real mate- A tradie ( talking carpenters plumbers electricians painters plasterers and the like) need a lot of hydration during the course of a day,and no offer of a cup of tea,although a nice gesture, is going to satisfy our continuous bodily requirements for fuel. Maybe your in the wrong profession. Re: Tradesmen etiquette 56Jan 05, 2020 9:44 am james duff So answer this, let's pretend that you forgot your iced water (you were in a rush in the morning and left it in your fridge at home), how would you honestly feel if the customer offered you nothing all day long on a hot day where you were working very hard? Got a mouth? Ask. Not sure why you expect the customer, who might be doing other things and offering will completely slip their mind, to cater for your lapse.... frankly, your attitude... and the way you post here (including that you would punch someone in the face if your hypothetical 'son' was unable to adult successfully) would mean you get no work from me. The vast majority of people will offer something, or if not, if they're asked by a tradie (for example, if they forgot their iced water) they would offer something. But I'm sure it's not expected by the majority of tradies, who are adults and self sufficient. Re: Tradesmen etiquette 57Jan 05, 2020 10:32 am James Duff your attitude won't get you anywhere and confirms in my mind why I don't hire tradies any longer. Otoh, I wish OldChippy lived closer as I could give him some work. For many years we worked in people's houses and our only expectation was that they pay the bill, which they did without question. Some of our customers were in the high end of town but were really genuine people and (by choice) would not be home when we were working but they would either call ahead or leave a note on the kitchen bench telling us to 'help ourselves to any food or drink'. We didn't because we 'took our own' and quite often they might get upset because we didn't eat or drink from their fridge, but we were self-sufficient as that was in our nature. Like chippy, if we needed extra water we would drink from a garden hose and more than once I remember being told 'don't drink from the hose there is plenty of cold water in the fridge'. Nobody owed us a duty of care.....sheesh!! Can I suggest a New Year resolution might be worth a try, as once people know your attitude has been updated, it will help your wallet too. Re: Tradesmen etiquette 59Jan 05, 2020 11:26 am james duff said...I'm hoping to get my message out there one person at a time. Sounds like ScoMo talk to me...after his job?? I hear it will be vacant sooner rather than later. Good one, Mrs Chippy think you've nailed it! Re: Tradesmen etiquette 60Jan 06, 2020 3:34 pm A tradie told me the other day he was doing a job and asked the lady of the house if he could use the toilet, and she said he could use the one at the park down the road. When I was doing consulting work if I needed to use the toilet I would have no hesitation in asking. Just because people don't offer upfront doesn't mean they are not prepared to, or you need to suffer in silence |