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Are you having workmen/tradesmen into your home?

16 replies

user1471530109 · 27/07/2020 15:45

Do you think it's ok to do this now?
I have no doors on any of my bedrooms. We've lived with it since we moved in nearly 2.5 years ago and the summer holidays was always going to be the time to get it done. I have the doors etc. But they need chiseling out, themed etc so I can't do it myself even if was less useless than I am

I'm clinically vulnerable as is dd2. But we are trying to get in with stuff over the summer as I think things will be tough again come autumn.

Would you get someone in to do it? And has anyone had this done fairly recently? No idea of cost...

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Reachfortheasteroid · 27/07/2020 15:46

Personally I wouldn’t have someone inside if I didn’t have to especially if I’d already lived with it for a bit 🤷‍♀️

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FlamedToACrisp · 27/07/2020 15:48

I would do it. You could stay in the garden, then once they've put the door on one room, you and DD2 can go and hide in there while they do the others, if there's another adult to supervise/deal with workmen.

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Mmmmycorona · 27/07/2020 15:50

We’ve had lots and of tradesman in recently the last being the plumber 2 weeks ago. It’s been fine.

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Lweji · 27/07/2020 15:52

I would.
Open all the windows.
Wear a good filtering mask.
Stay elsewhere in the house/flat.

Wash hands and any surfaces they may have touched with a detergent or diluted bleach.

If they could wear a mask, all the better. They should be fairly used to masks and should also be happy to accommodate a client who has concerns.

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user1471530109 · 27/07/2020 15:58

No other adult unfortunately. The girls are desperate to have doors on their bedrooms and I think if I don't get it done this summer it's will be even harder afterwards.
But at the same time, it feels like a risk that isn't a necessity...

Any idea how much it's likely to cost per door? Like I said, they needs cutting to size and chiseling so not a quick job unfortunately.

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GrannyBags · 27/07/2020 16:03

I have a plumber here now. We are staying downstairs whilst he is up in the en-suite. I have anti bac wipes ready to sanitise everything after he has gone. I wouldn’t have done it if anyone in the house was vulnerable or shielding though.

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Lweji · 27/07/2020 16:06

I have anti bac wipes ready to sanitise everything after he has gone.

Seriously, not good enough unless they are soaked in over 60% ethanol. And landfill fodder.
Just wash with a detergent. Really. And more effective too.

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user1471530109 · 27/07/2020 16:11

Thanks. I'm really torn. On one hand I've spent that last 5 months practically never leaving the house and on the other I will be back in front of a class and teaching 240+ a week in a few weeks Hmm. I would imagine the type of work will mean the person doing it will need to be up and down the stairs as having to cut doors outside etc. Least a plumber is more 'contained'. shower seal is leaking too and boiler is making a weird noise

I agree you'd be better off washing the area than using antibac wipes Granny

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Paragraff · 27/07/2020 16:19

I'm in the vulnerable group and have decided to have a job done now. Because, like OP, I think things will become riskier when school starts.
I think that some level of risk could go on for years.

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Lweji · 27/07/2020 16:21

If you have good ventilation while they are there, with doors and windows open, the risk is very low, anyway.

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leafeater · 27/07/2020 17:29

It's probably better now in the summer when you can have windows open than later in the year.

We had a plumber in but the loo was broken so it wasn't really something that could wait Grin

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MrsMoastyToasty · 27/07/2020 17:40

We had a plasterer in last week to do a repair where a single storey roof leaked. He came into the kitchen (room requiring the repair) via the integral garage and used the tap outside for mixing the plaster. Meanwhile I stayed in the lounge and only stood in the kitchen doorway when absolutely necessary to talk to him.
He did ask to use the loo. I said it was fine, but I donned mask and gloves and gave the place a thorough clean after he had left.

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PettsWoodParadise · 27/07/2020 19:02

We are having some glazing done in a few weeks. I looked at the coronavirus stats for our borough and no new cases in the last week and before that for a few weeks only a handful of positive cases and no deaths so the risks seem really low. Check the stats for your area as you may be surprised at how low the prevalence is once you look. I would rather secure our door than not. DH is undergoing treatment that is affecting his immune system so I’ll make the guys some socially distanced cups of tea (three sugars!) and know we will feel more secure after it is done.

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Reallybadidea · 27/07/2020 19:08

Yes, we have got out cleaner back and have also had some windows replaced. The prevalence in the community is currently very low. If you socially distance from them then it should be fine. Not having doors isn't great from a fire safety point of view. Along with that and your kids being entitled to some privacy then I think it's a pretty essential job tbh.

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GeorginaTheGiant · 27/07/2020 19:13

We’ve had an extension completed that was started before lockdown, new windows and doors installed and people in to quote and measure up for carpets, curtains etc. We’re not vulnerable so it’s easier to be laid back about it but honestly we feel that the number of people in our area with the virus is so low that the risk is minimal. We wipe down surfaces afterwards but that won’t be foolproof (especially as I thought that antibacterial wipes were adequate Shock)

I just can’t live in a world where we have to quarantine the post and act like everyone coming into our home is in some way ‘dirty’. It will do awful things to my mental health so we choose to crack on. I do recognise that people with health issues don’t enjoy the same privilege to be able to hold that attitude though.

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user1471530109 · 27/07/2020 19:15

Thanks. I think you're all right and I will see if I can organise someone to come and do them. I am so sick of swing them propped up in my bedroom. It would be so nice to close the door!

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