talking to a roofer when he is on the roof

Every once in a while, I'll have a customer that wants to carry on a conversation about their 'long lost uncle' (or something like that) while I'm working and concetrating on the task at hand. Drives me up the wall! Not only is it a serious saftey issue (IMO) but also breaks up my rhythm when I'm going 'full steam' on the project. It seems that it happens whenever I'm doing something that is extremely physically exerting, or I'm in a volatile dangerous situation that requires my entire focus & attention; that's when they start carrying on a 'long distance' (when I'm 2 stories up) about trivial things. Sometimes I've just ignored them when I'm really out of 'ear shot'. Other times when it starts 'getting out of hand', I've had to politely set some 'ground rules' with the customer; that I'm more than happy to talk to them when I am on the ground of after the job is finished, but not when I'm on the roof. I often thought about making a sign that says: Do not talk to the roofer while on the roof. lol

Anyone else find this annoying or stories to tell?

Don't get me going on that one....

Tinner... Nice work as usual B)

My client this week got up there to help me install a ditch between two buildings. 9'6" long, cleated in place. This pic is before the counter flashing.

A couple of restaurants around here have been saying "is everything perfect for you tonight?" That is annoying enough anytime...

Yes it is very annoying, just like in a restaurant your just about to take a bite or your already chewing and out of the blue " how is everything?"...oh brother...

roof dawg, you're right. I used to have 2 other partners (never had employees) for about 12 yrs. till a mutual break-up in '08. It was easy to 'manage' a talkative customer under those circumstances. Being on my own now (which I surely enjoy!!!), work comes to a screeching halt when a customer wants to talk about their deer they shot, or what happened back in 1938, etc.

Being a one-man show, I have to be very focused on saftey to the point that I can't even afford a minor injury: a bad cut, sprained ankle, a pulled muscle, throw my back out, or something that will 'take me out' of performing my job as there is no 'back up' (employee/partner) to carry on. That would be VERY BAD if I'm doing a tear-off.

If I can brag for a moment- As far as ppl watching me, that really doesn't bother me as many do comment wondering how I do it all. Some just like to see me work and get an education on how it is all done as I perform 'works of wonder' in their eyes. Efficiency is a strong suit of mine along with a 'ludicrous speed' of pace by necessity. When someone starts 'yaking'; well that is just like "throwing a wrench into the gears" to me.

yea, the stand over your shoulder types can make for a long day. i guess its part of the biz, though. its mostly in residental, although ive had small busniess owners do it too.

Your a one man show aren't you cts? That would get annoying quick, because at least when a homeowner is talking my ear off, some work is still getting done.

Funniest story that comes to mind: We did a fairly basic home for my distant cousin, but we had had a storm recently so I spent the whole day bidding and running. As soon as I got the guys lined out on the job and left, the homeowner followed my foreman around practically ALL day. He put his phone# in my foremans phone in case he needed to get a hold of him for a few minutes that he left. At one point he said to the HO - "so do you fill that hot tub w/ sexy young whores, do ya?" The HO replys 'oh no, nothing like that' A couple days later we were talking about it, and I said to my foreman "you know he isn't like the rest of us" - him: 'ya i know'....I said "maybe you don't, he's as gay as they come" He jumped up and got so damn excited, the whole crew started laughing their ass off...maybe you just had to be there.

A simple reply (in a friendly voice': "Sorry, I can't talk right now!" ends that problem.