Maybe someone in the trades related to construction/plumbing/electrical can tell me something.

As a mechanic one thing you never do is go into another mechanic's toolbox to borrow a tool, even something as simple as a screwdriver for two minutes. You'll get an earful if you do. Then again, if you ask first you can borrow tools no problem.

I have a feeling all tradespeople are the same in this regard.

So if a tradesperson understands not to borrow a tool without asking, then how come these assholes can't understand they should maybe ask first before going into someone else's yard?

mAYBE THEY AREN'T TRANDEMAN. Maybe they are just the avg joe who gets hire to do a shaddy job........

I agree with the childish comments. At first, when I first read this thread - my instant reaction is with the rest of the mob - "wtf, you can't steal my internet. I know it's $5, but it's the principle!!". But stepping back and being realistic, it really isn't necessary.

I'd definitely talk to the builder first. If he's a jerk, then sure, go ahead and start cutting wires and calling Worksafe BC.

Cause its not the same. I completely understand asking to borrow tools cause I've had plenty of tools either not returned, returned dirty, or put back in the wrong place. The same criteria doesn't apply well to this situation.

I was rereading the OP's posts, and maybe the answer is to get the fence repaired. He notes they knocked it down when bull dozing (usually expected when knocking down a house, and the builder agrees to rebuild the fence as it was) perhaps its time the OP demands the fence be put back now rather than later.

I have noticed that the older generation of workers on the jobsite have way more respect for other people or their tools way more than the younger guys.

I started a new job on the west end and while we are waiting for hydro to come hook up my temp power. I went over next door and asked nicely to borrow their power and offered them a little cash for their trouble. They were nice and didnt mind letting me using their power for a week or so. But I also did make sure to not walk into their yards with dirty boots and to sweep up the dirt on their walkway from time to time.

In this situation, I think the builder is just unprofessional and could of asked.

This thread is full useless bs.

OP have you talked to the GC about this? He might have tried to contact you (He could have left a note at least) but you might have been at work. The GC could have a few projects to take care of so he cant stay on one site all day waiting for you to come home... Just a thought. If you know the owner of the property maybe you should have a talk with them to.

It is wrong to turn on the power and plug in without your permission.. but as posted, Someone could be saying it is fine to plug into your outlets. Dont just start cutting lines until you have tried to work things out

It's exactly the same. It's not about borrowing something physical, something cheap or something pricey. It's about having the common courtesy to ask beforehand.
Posted via RS Mobile

He said he left a note asking them to not plug into his power and they did it anyway. If someone asked me to use my power I wouldn't have a problem with it. If they used it without asking I'd be pissed. If they used it without asking and after I left a note telling them not to use it I'd cut there cord. The burden of securing the power is the GC's it's not the next door neighbours burden to work something out after they just helped themselves to his service.

I've worked in or around the trades for 20 years and I currently run crews for a large contractor so I totally get where the tradesmen is coming from. However them plugging into his power without asking and especially after he left a note asking them not to is asinine. He has no responsibility to work it out, he left a note and them continuing to use his power is basically a big, "Go fuck yourself" from them. At this point if I was in his shoes even if they came to my door and asked nice offering money to use the power I'd tell them to pound sand.

i worked for a roofing company, and we always had at least 1 if not 2 gas generators with us for our heat guns.. it's not that hard to bring one to a job site, especially when you don't need to haul it up ontop of a roof...

Ah, now see there's the difference. If you ask for the jump, then there's no problem. If you just pop my hood and hook up to my battery, we have a problem. Likewise if these guys just asked to use the power (or at the very very least, used it day 1 and left a note explaining this and requesting use for the next day with a phone number to call) it's no big deal.

Exactly! So why won't these workers/contractors do that?

Totally agree, the younger generation just doesn't seem to conduct themselves with the same standards as older craftsmen in our industry. I'm twenty three, and I've been running crews of up to 7-8 workers for three years already. I worked my way up fast and leap frogged a ton of guys, partly because I'm very good at what I do, partly because I interact with clients better than anyone else working for the company.

The kids we hire as labourers now, I tell them they can't smoke on the property of a client with a finished home or to take it outside on a home just past framing and half of them ignore you and let themselves be fired for it. It should be common sense, but even when you tell them, they don't care.

It's sad to see our industry, which is filled with honourable people, being cheapened by people like the builder Shead needs to deal with.

^ well hey, a study of students revealed that 58% would turn down a job if they were told they couldn't check social media at work. I can only imagine smokers (or worse, smokers who love social media, they'd never get anything done!)

Just wondering, all you guys who're turning down the generator idea; what's so bad about it? If they're plugging into the wall outlet they're only pulling up to 2400 watts TOPS, likely far below that else the breaker'd trip. That's being generous with the breaker rating too. The generators I've been checking out run for over half a day on a gallon of gas, and are a hell of a lot quieter than the tools it'd be powering! Anything else that could be said has been said, honestly it's just an issue with communication and courtesy.

I totally get that these guys aren't innocent in all this. I was directing my part at the guys that are screaming for murder, rape, slight pillaging and cutting the cords.

People can assume something is a little bad, but not know it really "grinds your gears" until you say something. So all the RS Beat down crew can talk about cutting cables and phoning the police/city all they want, but until you have stepped away from the computer, and talk to the person that has so wronged you-its a moot issue.

And that's why I said...talking and communication. I agree that helping yourself to someones power just because its available isn't cool, but these guys may not make it out to be as bad as the OP seems to perceive it as.

I'm gonna call it.

/End of Thread ;)

Stay home one day and get a bunch of friends over and have them bring bats and sit int the yard and watch them

But srs just stay home one day and confront them if that doesnt work put up no trespassing signs and call police if u can catch one of them on camera
Posted via RS Mobile

yeah, just today the rebar guys didnt show up to finish their job and the framers ran out of work by coffee time. I called him and his bullshit excuse was that the truck broke down which is full of it. Seriously, if you have problem showing up just be upfront about it and not waste everyones time and money.

10 years back, trades ppl care about workmanship and the job, they would stay late to get the job done and what not. Now a days, these dumb asses would show up at 730 and be gone by 330. Wont even stay 30mins longer if its something important. So hard to hire honest ppl that wont cut corners now a days.

ok here's an update.
spoke to the home owner, and the head contractor. these ppl actually registered the power to the house next door, but i guess the ass hole was too dumb to remember to tell his workers(plus they probably dont read english) so far they've stopped using our electricity, and i do see that they are plugging the power to the other neighbour's hydro meter now, i just hope it stays this way. i would really hate to have to take further actions and ruin the relationship with our neighbours. on the same day also spoke to the owner regarding the busted fence, and he spoke to the contractor demanded that he rebuild/repair the fence upon completing his job.

thanks for everyone's help and love all the options i was offered even though some may be too cruel lol

One of the contributors to this is that the the real estate market is hot right now and builders are just putting things up AS FAST AS THEY CAN while trying to keep costs low. They try to cut corners cause they know they can get away with it, it's easy to find another gig out there.

There's a shortage of good builders in BC. when permits slow down and the real estate market cools and less projects are available these shoddy contractors will be greatly reduced.

Wait, what? So as long as they're not stealing from you, eh? You think the other neighbour knows that the workers are doing that?

im no electrician here but im pretty sure the other neighbour knows since they're always home, and the wire was plugged into their hydro meter this time.

Same crap here recently. Used water source, left the hose all dirty with cement encrusted on the tip. Left dirty foot markings from path to hose. Took off the backyard hose and did not even bother putting it back on the holder. They even had the nerve to chill out under our balcony to dodge the rain, and left some of their lunch leftover junk. Honestly felt like just going straight to city hall or police but I think I'll try talking to whoever looks in charge first. If it looks like "they don't give a shit" attitude, then I'll just make a complaint to the city.

Seriously?

I had a bad experience with a builder doing an 8 storey building using our water, they asked if they could do so first. Stupidly I allowed them to do so since they said they would foot the bill at the end of the job. There was some cost over run so by the time the job was done.... gave them the bill and they said no way we used this much we arn't paying!
So lesson learnt.

1. Talk to the owner/builder of the property and tell them your issue and to stop using your power and coming on your property.
2. After the talk one day stay home between 11-3pm and film/ take pictures of them on your property after you made it clear they were not welcome.
3. Lock your breaker box so they cant get in.
4. take your proof to the city or police to have this resolved.

I understand the frustration but if you damage they stuff you can only imagine what they could do to your house while you are not home.

If I am not mistaken cant they build a post and attach a meter to it to run power for there site? Iv seen that before I think they just want to mooch until someone says stop.

If you give them an inch they will take a mile from you and be using anything and everything from your property.

^you must have skipped the last page, lol.