As many here know, they started building a farm house for us in January, that was supposed to be done by May.
Well, the construction went extremely fast and it looked like it would be done before that, until we had some bad weather.
The last moth, we have been waiting on the painters, that are way behind. They finally hired one from a nearby town that was not busy and he has been here this week, with a helper.
They seem to be very good, if very slow, have stained all wood and lacquered the first time today, will sand, lacquer twice more and then start on the paint. They think it will take them one month. They have been working long hours, to get done as fast as they can, as they have other work waiting for them.
I am puzzled because I went by the new house by the farm at 5.30PM and there was a strange pickup there. It was some of their cousins and they were all talking away, having a good time.
Came back by there at 9PM and they were still drinking soft drinks (that I provide) and said that it was so pretty and nice this evening that they were enjoying it, passing the time.
I am puzzled because when I have been working in someone’s place, I do my work and then go on to tend to my own business, would not think of staying over at their place, much less with company.
I don’t mind and I am glad that they can unwind, but it seemed strange to me that they do it there. What insurance covers them if someone get’s hurt after hours? Do I need to worry that they may now also think it is ok to bring the rest of the family, kids and all, over the weekend, to “the country”, since they live in the city? Does it matter if they do?
I worry because it may not be an isolated incident, since it seems that they will be here another three weeks, at least. This is not a safe place for people not used to the country, especially with the rattlers so active now.
Is such behavior common, part of the way things are done? I think that it is unprofessional, but then, maybe I am not aware of the way others behave.
Do others do that, have family over to the work site and spend the evening there?
Replies
No. That is not normal.
Are the painters being paid by the hour ?
Are these hours being put on the book ?
Do they do this every day, and that is why they have long hours, but little progress ?
The jobsite is not a social gathering place. If their relative wants to show up to tell them about something, or to arrange a meeting place for after work, that's ok. As long as he is not there for very long.
If they wanted to call it a day, they should pack up and go to one of their own homes. Not sit there for hours on your property, drinking the soft drinks you provided for work hours.
This is not acceptable in my book. It is not professional. There has to be some camaraderie on the job site, There has to be some slack time. Otherwise it becomes a drudgery. Morale suffers. Quality suffers. But this goes over the line.
If you do nothing, nothing will happen.
---"It is not professional. There has to be some camaraderie on the job site, There has to be some slack time. Otherwise it becomes a drudgery. Morale suffers. Quality suffers. But this goes over the line."---
Yes, they are paid by the hour, $15.-, which they say is good pay for here, they told me. They are very friendly, happy people, like their work, have done it for many years and mean well.
This only happened yesterday evening, as far as I know, from the four days they have been here and may not happen again.
The cousins that came by are also painters. I think it is harmless but felt really odd that they were still there last evening, so late, already dark and somehow have a feeling that they may repeat this during their several weeks long stay here working, but may not.
I was wondering how it looks to the ones that make a living going to other's places to work on them, if it was normal to stay over for several hours there, visiting away. Not that I can do or would want to do anything about it.
After all, I want to get that house finished!
I agree with Luka - It's not normal. If they want to visit with each other they need to go find a bar or something.
On the other hand - I wouldn't make a big deal out of one occurence. But if it happens again I would suggest having a talk with them.Stupid people shop at Wal Mart, she shops at Wal Mart, therefore... [John Dobbin]
It's not normal around here...but then you're in the panhandle and nothing is normal up there :)
I can understand it, and if it's a one time event then no big deal. Obviously they feel comfortable working for you, and winding down on a Friday night in the country can be relaxing. Oops...wasn't Friday. Were they hired by the gc? Then ask the gc to ask them to limit the visits to next to nothing.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
sounds like a bad case of the babysitter having her boyfriend over, then a few more friends, etc. next thing you know you're following the line of cop cars and fire engines back to your new place... ;-)
m
If I understand it correctly, it isn't a case of these guys hanging around while they're supposed to be working.
That being the case, and your comment about out of town, makes me wonder if it's a case of "hey, cousin Jimmy's working near here; let's stop by after work for a visit"...you know just a chance to visit with family from out of town. If that's the case, and you're not losing paid time, I'd let it slide if (and only if) the folks are behaving responsibly. Might just be that it's a chance for guys to see their out of town relations.
I would'nt say anything if it only happened once or twice. If they do quality work and nothing is hurt by it let it go. Its difficult enough to find a decent painter.
Other than that its your place. If you dont want hangers on after working hours so be it. Find a way to tell them nicely.
Ruby
What I want to know is how do you know that their just hanging around after work, who says that their even going home!
I've seen tape and floaters that just camp out in the empty house, easy to get to work in the morn.
Doug
I used to do all the installs for K&B outfit in Pa...Got to one site, new const. and every room had a 4x4 hunk of new subfloor in the center. I asked the job super wassup..he said the south of the border sheetrockers had FIRES lit to see their work at nite..even in the damn closets..no lie.
Looked to him like they were cooking too..food all over.
funny world we got here.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
south of the border sheetrockers
The very same group I was refering to, and that was in Iowa, considering Ruby's in TX my guess, one in the same.
Thank you for your comments. The cousins are painting in a Hilton Inn in the big town and can go by here with a little detour on the way to their smaller town, where our painter also lives.
I think that they may have been teasing about making a habit of staying over here before going home, more than that one time yesterday, or will do it only a few more times.
They are nice folks. The one working here, hired by the painter to help him out, at $15.- and hour, including the hour twice it takes him to get here has his helper living with him so he can get to work while they are working on his car, that broke down.
I also have heard all the stories about their lives and families. He talks from the minute I set foot in the house, three times a day for the shortest five minutes I can manage without giving offense, until I leave, so have heard it all. I don't get a word in edgewise. He brought a portfolio with his murals and signs he is very proud of and wanted to do some of it on this house, something I vetoed quickly, as it will be a minimalist type house, with little to distract the peace.
They are doing much work, even if the builder, that came by once and looked around didn't think so and told them they should not have taken doors and cabinets apart, all hardware off, etc., just to get painting and get it done.
I will be watching them and all that come by here, best I can. It will be a trying several weeks until they get done, hopefully soon.
One never knows what they are getting into, do they, when they build a house. Goofy world out there.<G>
Thanks again for all the comments, will keep them in mind.
It's happened to me more times than I can remember, someone stops, you get to BSing and the times just slips away, no big deal. That and I have a few friends that would rather hang out and BS than go home to their fat ugly wives.....and that I can understand...not in my case, but some just don't marry so well.