Workmen in the house

A question about : Workmen in the house

Just out of interest, would you always stay in when you have workmen in, or would you consider going out?
Would you stay out all day?
Would it invalidate your house insurance if anything went wrong whilst you were out?
And when you are at home, how often do you make drinks for them?
Do you offer anything to eat?
Am interested in other people's views, though it won't change what I do.

Best answers:

• Workmen in the house = me in the house! I leave kettle, milk, sugar, tea, coffee and biccies for them in the kitchen and tell them to help themselves to it at times convenient to them.
  If necessary I also tell them where the nearest chippie is and threaten them with hell fire and the wrath of me if they need to use the loo and don't take their boots off first and leave them where they're working.
• I always stay in, mainly because I'm a bit paranoid. My mum happily tells them where the key is to let themselves in and work away, while she's out for most of the day.
  I usually only offer drinks, not food (though, maybe biscuits or something). I've had some ask me for tea as soon as they turned up, which was especially irritating as I noticed them sitting outside in their van drinking tea from disposable mugs just before they came to the door. They seemed to need tea every half hour. In future, I'm thinking of offering herbal tea only.
• Usually stay in to "watch " progress or lack of.
  My dear wife always provides t and bickies ,she has a number of spare cups only used by workmen talk about being paranoid.
  One thing that really bugs me is when you offer them tea and they say they prefer coffee.
• When workmen are expected I always lock ALL our valuables away - I think it's fairer to them too (then I can't blame them if something goes missing). I always stay in and I make tea or coffee when i'm ready for one (and get plenty of biscuits in). I have a set of workmen mugs - they're a bit bigger and tougher than our usual ones so i don't have to worry about them (nor do they).
  Not sure about the house insurance but I can't think you would have a claim against it if you allowed them in (I think that's true of anyone you allow into your house ?)
• I wouldn't leave workmen in the house while no household member is there. Some people do, some people have little or no choice as they have no alternative. When big jobs are done in the house i give them tea bags/sugar/coffee and milk and access to the kettle, or a flask of hot water.
  I loathe having strangers in the house and hate the disruption, I'm sure lots of people feel the same way, but sometime such work is necessary.
• I wouldnt work in a house where i didnt feel trusted. I have too much self respect for that.
• I stay in - they usually have questions / need to discuss the work.
  I have a designated set of builders' mugs - freebie ones with relevant trade counters' names on them - yes, I do know a bit of what they're talking about. Wouldn't be heartbroken if they got broken whereas my own mugs have sentimental value.
  Offer tea or coffee at suitable stage of work, sometimes biscuits if more than a half-day's work. Would reckon on them going off for a lunch break.
• I would have said no, go out and leave them to do their job, however recent experience has taught me to be present. I did all the research, found a company registered with the relevant trade body, came recommended (from genuine reviews not the Checkatrade/rated people rubbish) but at the end of Day 1 I found a serious glaring error which I was then lied to about when I first raised it. So after that I spent the rest of their time on the job in my own house, making sure they werent cutting corners. I'm sure the workmen hated me being there but it was their fault for being crafty in the first place. Shame really, as I trusted them at the outset, but once that trust is gone, I had no option but to be there.
  From now on I will be in my own home whenever there's workmen in.