I am a self employed property renovator, I carry my kit with me because you never know when the opportunity may arise (and I can't be stuffed unloading it)
I have a good reputation so I have to be tactful when I just 'down tools at 20 knots'
Today I had just started tiling a bathroom. I had the first row on, and I heard the wind outside. I explained to the lady that to achieve a perfect job I must allow the first row to dry before working up the wall. Quick tidy up, see you tomorrow!!
I was painting a doctors surgery once, and had to tell them the high humidity was retarding the curing of the high quality paints, so I will come back in a few hours!!
I was building a deck a few weeks ago, and the angle of the afternoon sun would have warped the timber before I could have screwed it down! Better come back early in the morning!!
I have learned it's better to finish up and not return to work after sailing. The wet pants and silly grin makes people suspicious
can't do much about silly grin but have found if you toss off in the nude you can keep your pants dry 
Ha - I was going to call you regarding a few jobs around the house - but now knowing the excuses - I will wait for a windy week.
Great thread!
I use the kids 3-4 times a year. "Gotta pick-up the son at school", "school called me", dentist, that kind of stuff.
I know it's cheap and unimaginative, but my reasoning is that I lost so much sailing because of family life, I may as well get a little back.
