Page 2 | To have a shower while a contractor works at our home?

FryingPam · 2026-03-09T08:30:04+00:00

Husband also at home, me fully dressed into the bathroom, lock the door, shower, coming fully dressed out of the bathroom again. DH thinks this would be very weird and make the contractor feel uncomfortable.

Babsandherwabs · 09/03/2026 10:46

Ha this is funny. Dread to think how badly your DH would stink during a long-term project! Our extension took 9 months, definitely showered with the builders around.

Greysnuggle · 09/03/2026 10:43

sweetpickle2 · 09/03/2026 10:34

Sometimes a thread comes along on MN that reminds me how differently everyone's brains work.

It wouldn't occur to me to even think this was an issue, or never shower when men are in the house?? Very odd to me.

People who do think that way- why don't you? What do you think is going to happen?

I don’t think anything is going to happen.

For me it would feel awkward and uncomfortable, that’s why I wouldn’t do it.
It would feel odd socially if the bathroom wasn’t in a different part of the house (in which case I’d have no issue). I wouldn’t be suspecting the men of anything btw, this would be purely because I’d feel uncomfortable.

I’m very used to men being around for what it’s worth. I’m the only woman in a house of six (adults and teens) but they’re all family, which is different.

secretrocker · 09/03/2026 10:41

Unfenced · 09/03/2026 10:39

No one has quite been able to account for it. Various mutterings about being 'at your most vulnerable' in the bathroom, though presumably if the tradesmen involved were in fact given to sexually assaulting clients, it wouldn't make much difference whether the client was fully dressed in the kitchen or unclad in the bathroom?

Show quote history

I wouldn't feel vulnerable (though others might have said that).
They might want something/to ask a question.
They might do something I wasn't happy about. I've had contractors trail mud into my house and trample flowers.
I wouldn't watch them like a hawk, but I can't relax while they're in here because of those things.

Unfenced · 09/03/2026 10:39

sweetpickle2 · 09/03/2026 10:34

Sometimes a thread comes along on MN that reminds me how differently everyone's brains work.

It wouldn't occur to me to even think this was an issue, or never shower when men are in the house?? Very odd to me.

People who do think that way- why don't you? What do you think is going to happen?

No one has quite been able to account for it. Various mutterings about being 'at your most vulnerable' in the bathroom, though presumably if the tradesmen involved were in fact given to sexually assaulting clients, it wouldn't make much difference whether the client was fully dressed in the kitchen or unclad in the bathroom?

Shinyhappyapple · 09/03/2026 10:38

Of course it’s not weird and why should he feel uncomfortable? you are getting dressed in the bathroom not parading around in just a towel. Personally I wouldn’t be showering if I was alone in the house, especially as our bathroom is downstairs without a lock - but that’s not your situation. So take your shower (which I assume you already have as it’s now 10.30).

Starlight1979 · 09/03/2026 10:37

DelectableMe · 09/03/2026 10:13

Yes, me too! It made me pause for a moment.

Show quote history

Same here 😂

Arregaithel · 09/03/2026 10:35

FryingPam · 09/03/2026 08:46

He doesn’t shower either when someone else is there

Show quote history

He's a stinky husband and a bit daft @FryingPam worry ye not 🌻

sweetpickle2 · 09/03/2026 10:34

Sometimes a thread comes along on MN that reminds me how differently everyone's brains work.

It wouldn't occur to me to even think this was an issue, or never shower when men are in the house?? Very odd to me.

People who do think that way- why don't you? What do you think is going to happen?

TheLurpackYears · 09/03/2026 10:30

Heavens, maybe your husband could sit in the loo and act as a chaperone? Has he also dressed you to cover your wrists and collar bones lest the tradie gets any more fanciful thoughts?

Greysnuggle · 09/03/2026 10:29

OneBreezyHelper · 09/03/2026 09:56

fair enough, but do you never have friends staying over for a few days?

Show quote history

Not really. Just some nephews and nieces (children) on occasion.

Starlight1979 · 09/03/2026 10:26

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 09/03/2026 09:06

A suitable compromise would be to tell the contractor you are going to shower but you will be doing so in a swimming costume. This way you get your shower but he's also aware you won't be nude.

😆

Starlight1979 · 09/03/2026 10:25

Pricesandvices · 09/03/2026 08:53

It's fine if your husband is in.

I can't do anything when I have tradesmen in as I have to watch the front door like a hawk as they never bloody shut it despite me asking.

Why does her husband have to be in?!

We had builders in for 6 months doing our extension. DH was out of the house every day so I showered pretty much most days with a house full of blokes. I'd just take my change of clothes into the bathroom, shower, dry myself and get changed.

Can't see why this would be an issue for anyone unless your husband is very jealous or controlling (which I'm guessing he is).

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 09/03/2026 10:17

Contractor wouldn't know. You could just be cleaning the bathroom for all they know.

Endofyear · 09/03/2026 10:15

The contractor is used to working in other people's homes. I'm sure he couldn't care less what you're doing, he just wants to get his work done and go! Your husband is being weird 😂

DelectableMe · 09/03/2026 10:13

Lennonjingles · 09/03/2026 10:06

My DH is a retired bathroom installer, unless he was working in the actual room, he wouldn’t have a problem with you using your bathroom providing door is locked and you come out covered up, fully clothed is best.

DH has a lot of stories I won’t go into, but some customers, both male and female, did some inappropriate actions.

Ah, see - now you have to tell us!

DelectableMe · 09/03/2026 10:13

secretrocker · 09/03/2026 10:12

On my screen the word "present" is on the line below, so it reads like "yes I showered with them" 😂

Show quote history

Yes, me too! It made me pause for a moment.

secretrocker · 09/03/2026 10:12

FancyCatSlave · 09/03/2026 10:03

I lived in a small cottage during major renovations- contractors were onsite for months at a time.
They saw me in my pyjamas and dressing gown frequently and yes I showered with them
present.

I mostly carry on as usual when contractors are here apart from I avoid walking around in my pants. They don’t need to see that.

On my screen the word "present" is on the line below, so it reads like "yes I showered with them" 😂

Lennonjingles · 09/03/2026 10:06

My DH is a retired bathroom installer, unless he was working in the actual room, he wouldn’t have a problem with you using your bathroom providing door is locked and you come out covered up, fully clothed is best.

DH has a lot of stories I won’t go into, but some customers, both male and female, did some inappropriate actions.

FancyCatSlave · 09/03/2026 10:03

I lived in a small cottage during major renovations- contractors were onsite for months at a time.
They saw me in my pyjamas and dressing gown frequently and yes I showered with them
present.

I mostly carry on as usual when contractors are here apart from I avoid walking around in my pants. They don’t need to see that.

Namingbaba · 09/03/2026 10:01

I wouldn’t do it if alone as you don’t know when contractor might need to ask something etc. However in your case if your husband is there he can deal with that.

Thereissnowinmywellies · 09/03/2026 10:00

JayJayj · 09/03/2026 08:47

Is your husband controlling in other areas of your relationship?

How did you come to this idea? OP said h thinks it would be weird and make contractor uncomfortable, nowhere has she mentioned anyrhing to the contrary.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 09/03/2026 09:58

Well, I suppose the plumber might feel uncomfortable if he’s caught spying on you through the keyhole, but otherwise your dh is being daft.

Catcatcatcatcat · 09/03/2026 09:57

OneBreezyHelper · 09/03/2026 09:31

with your husband in the house at the same time?

What kind of experiences?

Show quote history

Let’s just say I had to call the police…

OneBreezyHelper · 09/03/2026 09:56

Greysnuggle · 09/03/2026 09:50

I’m with your husband. I’d feel odd about having a shower while a contractor was walking past the bathroom door or in the next room. It would be different if it was in a completely different part of the house.
There’s nothing wrong about doing it tbh, but it’s just something I’d never do. It feels socially very awkward somehow.

ETA I’d feel the same way if DH had his male friends round, I wouldn’t be going for a shower in the room adjacent while they were there.

Edited

fair enough, but do you never have friends staying over for a few days?

mindutopia · 09/03/2026 09:55

Dh and I have both had showers while builders are here. They’re here all day every day and will be for months. If we need a shower to get cleaned up from work, we can’t both just wait til 5pm when they’re gone. We’ve got things to do in the evening and need to crack on with our day. There isn’t enough hot water for all of us to shower at night anyway.