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AIBU?

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Original poster

To lock my bathroom during renovations in the flat

187 replies

Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 01:58

The flat has just one bathroom/toilet which has just been refurbished. Considering this is in London, the price of the renovation was extortionate.

Now we have painters and decorators coming in to paint the walls, skirting boards etc.
I really don't want them to use the bath or sink for keeping the tools and washing up.
It still bothers me how much the bathroom renovation has set us back and if someone was now to scratch the bathtub or break a tile I think I'd have a mental breakdown.
I want them to use the kitchen sink instead, or to set up some buckets on the kitchen floor - whatever they can come up with - just to stay away from the bloody bathroom.
I am tempted to lock the bathroom to prevent any damage or soiling.

And I feel this is horrible - it is as if I don't want them to use the loo or something (and it is not about that at all).
But then, the guys who did the bathroom had nowhere to go for 10 days while renovating it - so this is not an impossible set up.

I feel I am being unreasonable but honestly with the prices the contractors are charging at the moment I could not care less - they can certainly afford a quick coffee in a nearby cafe and use the loo there.
Thoughts.

OP posts:
anon666 · 19/05/2025 18:26

They can hire a portaloo but ultimately will have to proce it in, I guess.

How much does it bother you? Can you put a price on it?

That's your decision.

Ilovechocolatelimesandsherbertlemons · 19/05/2025 18:17

Try talking to them? They are human beings.
I have never had a contractor wash anything in my bathroom or sink.
They will need to use the loo. YABVU.

Badbadbunny · 19/05/2025 09:52

FalseSpring · 18/05/2025 21:14

Portaloos are cheap to hire and worth every penny spent (sorry!). I always hire one as no way do I want builders or decorators using my bathroom.

Yup. When we've had any work requiring tradesmen for more than a few hours, we've asked them to source a portaloo and include it in the quote. Most are happy to oblige.

FalseSpring · 18/05/2025 21:14

Portaloos are cheap to hire and worth every penny spent (sorry!). I always hire one as no way do I want builders or decorators using my bathroom.

MereNoelle · 18/05/2025 21:09

Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 21:08

And even if they did, so what...

Show quote history

Well it was just an observation really, I don’t really give a shit if people pee in your sink 🤷🏻‍♀️. Or on your carpet, or anywhere else!

Original poster
Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 21:08

MereNoelle · 18/05/2025 20:46

Where did you pee when your house didn’t have a toilet for 10 days?

ETA sorry I just saw your post. I imagine the workmen who did your bathroom peed in your sink when they had no access to a toilet.

Edited

And even if they did, so what...

OP posts:
Original poster
Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 20:57

SwingTheMonkey · 18/05/2025 09:03

Please, just give her time to come up with a plausible story. Don’t rush her…

Show quote history

?
I have a small child, we moved out for the time when the bathroom works took place and will do the same for the painting work. I don't want him to breathe in dust and chemicals. It is a flat, not a house, so it's not like we can just stay on a different floor or smth.

OP posts:
MereNoelle · 18/05/2025 20:46

Where did you pee when your house didn’t have a toilet for 10 days?

ETA sorry I just saw your post. I imagine the workmen who did your bathroom peed in your sink when they had no access to a toilet.

missmollygreen · 18/05/2025 20:46

Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 02:24

Agreed, but the guys who renovated my bathroom had no toilet access for 10 days (because they took everything out first day).

Show quote history

So?
What would you say if you went in to work and were told you couldnt use the loo for 10 days?

Just ask them to wash brushes etc in the kitchen (or wherever you want)
But dont lock the loo.

Original poster
Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 20:43

For those asking where did I go for the loo while the bathroom was redecorated. Same as for the painting job, we will not be staying in the flat for the time that the works are taking place.

For those saying how I think workmen are lowlife or whatever - no, most workmen I had in my house were lovely people and got along great.
Except most of them also just do what they want and what makes their life easier.
As I said - once I had a case where I tried to explain several times that the beams they are stepping on on the sides of the walls are decorative (glued or just loosely nailed into the wall, not actual beams that offer support), they just thought they know better than me (being builders themselves). And they ended up breaking them off by constantly using them to step on them to reach the windows. Unbelievable

Let me not start with the electrician who also thought he knows my flat better than me and ended up taking out part of the wall with the light switch attached to it.
He was a very educated guy - a pianist in fact.

OP posts:
FedupofArsenalgame · 18/05/2025 20:42

TheHerboriste · 18/05/2025 02:51

Yes.

Show quote history

Wow Imagine if you live 6 miles from town. They'd have a 12 mile round journey to use the loo. Best hope they not charging hourly

TheHazelCritic · 18/05/2025 20:39

Can you not use something to cover and protect the bath and sink? Old towels, old rugs,bath mat, things like that?

IloveSootyandSweep · 18/05/2025 20:35

Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 20:26

Excuse me but - what is wrong with you?
I am trying to ensure that my new bathroom doesn't get ruined by tools and the pipes blocked by paint, yet somehow based on that - you claim I do not want people using my loo for a couple of days.
I hope you don't work in a place where simple logic is required.

Also - why would I be ashamed to ask anything or admit anything on an anonymous forum. No offence, by I really do not care what you or anyonethink of me - you don't know me, I don't know you, why would I pretend to be/feel/think anything here ?!?

Show quote history

Honestly @SwingTheMonkey i don’t think I’ve ever had a decorator that hasn’t ruined something.

Using sinks and whbs and baths and shower cubicles to wash paint is not unusual. Even if you tell them not to.
I’ve had wrecked fittings with builders dropping stuff ( wrenches etc ) on worktops and wash hand basins. I’ve had oil spillages on wood floors. I’ve had them walking all over original wood floors when clearly told multiple times and in writing in the contract to cover and protect. I’ve had grass and shrubs killed by rubbish thrown on it, despite telling them to keep everything off the grass. I’ve even had decorators wash their bloody equipment in a fish pond.

All of these jobs will have contracts and me as an Architect keeping tabs on them but I’m afraid no matter how great their credentials some do take short cuts and don’t give a toss. By saying some I’m being polite there

Original poster
Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 20:33

cantthinkofausername26 · 18/05/2025 08:23

Ps - how can you lock the bathroom door from the outside??

There is a keyhole.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 20:26

SwingTheMonkey · 18/05/2025 06:49

I have never had a decorator or tradesman use my sink to wash brushes or my bath to store tools.

My guess is that you don’t want them using your toilet but you know you’ll get absolutely roasted on here if you say that so you’ve gone with this other ridiculous scenario which would almost certainly never happen.

Excuse me but - what is wrong with you?
I am trying to ensure that my new bathroom doesn't get ruined by tools and the pipes blocked by paint, yet somehow based on that - you claim I do not want people using my loo for a couple of days.
I hope you don't work in a place where simple logic is required.

Also - why would I be ashamed to ask anything or admit anything on an anonymous forum. No offence, by I really do not care what you or anyonethink of me - you don't know me, I don't know you, why would I pretend to be/feel/think anything here ?!?

OP posts:
Bubblesgun · 18/05/2025 10:15

Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 02:24

Agreed, but the guys who renovated my bathroom had no toilet access for 10 days (because they took everything out first day).

Show quote history

Yes but he knew that as he was renovating a BATHROOM!!!!
the decoretor is painting so will need (and expecting a loo access).

what is wrong that you cant talk to him.
seriously some people create issues when there none if people
were to communicate.

“hey. This is the bathroom. Please can I ask you not wash your brushes and tools in that sink? You can use the kitchen one for that. Thank you” then move on to can i get you a coffee or a tea?

as someone previously said you have to treat them respecfully. They are humans being

londongirl12 · 18/05/2025 10:07

Just speak to them 🤦🏻‍♀️. Say you’ve just had the bathroom done and if they could keep the tools etc out of there, but they’re welcome to use the loo. Why do people have to make it so complicated.

Upinthetreetops · 18/05/2025 09:57

Good grief just communicate.
'I've recently had the bathroom renovated. Of course I'm more than happy for you to use the loo, but would not like any equipment stored or cleaned in the bathroom in order to avoid any damage. Please feel free to use the kitchen for anything like that.'

Maybe I'm a grump but I see so much on here of people making mountains out of molehills when all it would take is simple communication to solve the issue. Have we forgotten how to communicate? They're humans too and will understand you don't want your new bathroom ruined, and probably have zero desire to ruin your new bathroom either!

CatrionaBalfour · 18/05/2025 09:49

Toddlerteaplease · 18/05/2025 09:21

@Badbadbunnymaybe I’ve just got lucky, but I’ve never had anything but polite and respectful tradespeople in my house.

Me too! As I said, 37 years a home owner, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, you name it. Never a problem.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 18/05/2025 09:48

Where did the last builders use the loo?

If a Portolo or pub across the road that don't mind, you need to warn them in advance that your loo is out of action

(I would say 'it's also being renovated and no working bathroom' and then lock it) but warn them very clearly before about where they can go to the loo.

Trailfinderexpress · 18/05/2025 09:37

Proper decorators take their tools away to wash.

Fenchapel · 18/05/2025 09:34

Floranan · 18/05/2025 08:53

I’ve never experienced anything like this, I’m having some plastering and painting done at the moment and they use buckets out on the patio to wash their brushes etc. could you not just explain that you’ve been badly treated before and would appreciate it if they used buckets for cleaning tools and the bathroom is purely for it’s intended use.

in my experience if you treat workers well and respect that they have a job todo, then they respect you and your property much more.

Triggered again - made lovely tea and biscuits for guys redoing the attic and still found they had stained the contract grade linoleum with putting a tin of solvent down.

Let them poo anywhere they like but you’re bathroom will never be the same.

AlorsTimeForWine · 18/05/2025 09:28

The renovations I've done and the mindless costly idiotic things I've seen builders do....i would really be tempted to do as you suggest.... however he issue is where do they poo!

If you can get a portaloo I say go for it.
Id deliver the message v apologetically and blame it on whatever.

ByWiseAquaFinch · 18/05/2025 09:24

Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 01:58

The flat has just one bathroom/toilet which has just been refurbished. Considering this is in London, the price of the renovation was extortionate.

Now we have painters and decorators coming in to paint the walls, skirting boards etc.
I really don't want them to use the bath or sink for keeping the tools and washing up.
It still bothers me how much the bathroom renovation has set us back and if someone was now to scratch the bathtub or break a tile I think I'd have a mental breakdown.
I want them to use the kitchen sink instead, or to set up some buckets on the kitchen floor - whatever they can come up with - just to stay away from the bloody bathroom.
I am tempted to lock the bathroom to prevent any damage or soiling.

And I feel this is horrible - it is as if I don't want them to use the loo or something (and it is not about that at all).
But then, the guys who did the bathroom had nowhere to go for 10 days while renovating it - so this is not an impossible set up.

I feel I am being unreasonable but honestly with the prices the contractors are charging at the moment I could not care less - they can certainly afford a quick coffee in a nearby cafe and use the loo there.
Thoughts.

I secured mine and they broke in and used it anyway.

Toddlerteaplease · 18/05/2025 09:21

@Badbadbunnymaybe I’ve just got lucky, but I’ve never had anything but polite and respectful tradespeople in my house.