House contractor wants to start back later in the week.WWYD?

[Passionpurse]

Just before lockdown we were due to have a kitchen fitted. Naturally the fitter didn’t start and said he’d be back in touch when he was able to work.
He’s messaged me now to say that he’s planning on coming Thursday to rip out and his electrician will visit to do the first fix electrics. Plasterer will then come the week after and the fit will follow on from that.

The kitchen is large with large doors and windows either end for ventilation. We can close an internal door to the kitchen and they will have separate access to a downstairs loo that I can clean at the start and end of each day.

But...nothing has changed. There has been no official announcement that they can work, he says that they are ok to work as long as they maintain distance, handwashing etc.

We’ve been living in quite a mess with the new kitchen in boxes everywhere so I’m keen for them to start but I’m the other hand it doesn’t feel right after the ‘only essential work’ message.

Things do need to start up again, I understand that and of course I want the kitchen done! What would you do?

[TDL2016]

Let him in and get the work finished. Doesn’t sound like you have to go anywhere near him whilst he’s there. Probably less “dangerous” than going to Sainsburys for your shopping.

[GabriellaMontez]

Personally I would bite his hand off.

You have a separate toilet, well ventilated, keep the door shut.

I'm going to have the same issue soon but without a separate toilet. I'll probably stall.

[Fantasisa]

Let him in. My mum's builder has started back now and they just take precautions and stay out of each others way

[TDL2016]

And it’s not “only essential work”. It’s “work from home if you can”. He can’t, therefore he has no option but to contact you so he can work. There’s plenty of builders and construction sites still going round where I live because there is literally no other choice for those that work in the trades.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I’d go ahead.

[StrawberryBlondeStar]

@Passionpurse there has been a change. Government put advice out this week about tradesmen being able to go to houses. They shouldn’t be going to houses where people are shielding. They, nor the householder, must be symptomatic. They must adhere to social distancing.

[Passionpurse]

That’s useful thanks Strawberry

[ruddynorah]

There was never an 'essential work' announcement. He can't work from home so he's fine to go out to work as long as he mai trains social distancing.

[P1nkHeartLovesCake]

I’d bite his hand off!

[Clutterbugsmum]

I would allow him, as a self employed person he will not be getting any money as the payments for self employed don't kick in until June.

He is probably getting desperate for money as he will still have bills and food even if he has no money coming in.