Having a tradesperson or tradie in or around your home is something that most if not all homeowners have to deal with at some point. Whether you’ve hired a plumber to unclog your toilet or bricklayer to create a new garden wall, there are several unspoken pieces of etiquette that are worth observing.

While the tradie should come and do the job you hired them for, there’s a lot to be said for being a gracious host and making their job a little easier. Let’s take a look at some of the unspoken rules of working with a tradie.

Communicate clearly and openly

Make sure that the correspondence and face-to-face communication between you and the tradie is perfect before any work starts. It’s important that you clearly express your expectations, requirements and any concerns you may have.

A tradie should be eager to help you understand what they’re doing and to put to rest any concerns you have.

Make their job a tiny bit easier

While you’re hiring them to work, not you, it’s nice to at least clear the workspace where they will be operating. If you have children, clear away the toys that are scattered around and make sure your pets don’t get in the way.

If the tradie is allergic to your pets be courteous and restrain the pet or take it on a walk while they work. If you have children it’s crucial that you keep them away from the tradesperson and their work as they run the risk of being injured by tools and equipment.

Don’t be the parent who has to restrain their children from attempting to touch the tradie’s tools. Plan ahead of time if you know your kids are going to be unruly.

Create a lunch space

If the tradie is working all-day-long, give them a designated area they can eat without disturbing your family. Simply give them a spot on the balcony or at the coffee table if necessary.

Don’t hover around them

If there’s one thing tradies hate its having a fairy god homeowner constantly buzzing around them. While it’s prudent to check up on them, hovering around all the work they do implies you don’t trust them to get the job done and just makes it awkward.

Show appreciation

While you don’t owe the tradie any more than the agreed payment, it’s nice to make a gesture of a glass of lemonade or something similar while they’re in the thick of their work. A token of pure generosity goes a long way in maintaining a rapport with a tradie you can rely on for future jobs down the line.