Building work and covid rules

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Anyone know what the guidelines are for builders/decorators etc from different companies all working together in one house?

The house next to us is being renovated by investors who have made our lives hell for the past few months, but that's another story!

I thought with lockdown we'd get some respite from it but no, they're in there today. Two different vans outside so obviously workers from different companies mixing with no PPE (I've seen them walking in and out of the house). I know technically they could be working in separate rooms in the house but it's not very soundproof and I can hear them talking/laughing etc so they're obviously not following social distancing.

Does anybody work in the industry who can shed some light for me please?

It seems bizarre to me that this would be allowed when I am unable to work and I only have one client at a time and we both wear PPE.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help with this.

Construction work is allowed. We’re having some work done in a couple of weeks, and the tradesman has been in touch to let us know that they can work as normal.

Thanks for your reply. I know it's allowed but are several different companies allowed to mix in one property? Doesn't seem right to me.

It's allowed, plus it's not always possible to stop work already in progress.

Ok, it seems crazy to me but I guess another example of the rules making no sense at all.

Homeschooling is going to be even more challenging with the noise.

There are two different companies working in the house (3 or 4 men) so technically they can go to another house tmrw and start a new job working with another 2 or 3 different people? And people wonder why we are not seeing the back of this virus

They are allowed to continue. No doubt you'll get someone who thinks they know everything come along telling you its shouldn't!

It just seems very unfair. I can't work with one client in full PPE, yet they can carry on like it's 2019!

People who cannot work from home are allowed to work. I work cleaning at a crematorium with an office full of staff. We all need to work.

Our extension is continuing ahead as scheduled, and tomorrow there will be a plumber from one company as well as roofers from another attending. It's all coordinated by the project manager who has checked and it's within guidelines, so I'm happy with that

Ironically I do work from home but it's close contact so I'm not allowed. I imagine builders etc have to work fairly closely together too so that's what I'm struggling to understand. How it's fine for them but not for me. My business has been destroyed this year thanks to no government help. So I accept that my opinion may be skewed slightly and also because they've been so inconsiderate up until now I suppose.

I appreciate the replies.

They don’t work close together though.

Any trades I know hate working in a plot with others so will actively plan work to keep out of each other’s way and therefore distanced

I dont see how they must be working closely together. Look at it this way, the sooner it's done the sooner you will be rid of them!

Construction work earns VAT for the treasury and with all the contracts that get awarded to ministers' mates and relations, they'd be crazy to shut it down. Kickstarting the economy innit 🙄
Cynical? Moi?

Is this a real concern about Covid OP, or were you just looking to have a dig about the noise? Because they were working there yesterday in the same conditions, and you don't appear bothered about their social distancing then.

They must be working pretty closely... They're not large houses at all. They appear very matey so probably work together on a regular basis. Doesn't mean they shouldn't be following guidelines though.

I have found the information I was looking for on the government website and yes they should at the very least be maintaining social distancing and wearing masks. Which is what I was really questioning rather than whether they can work at all.

@LizDiz yes that's what we thought until we had a letter from the council regarding planning for a whole new dwelling.

As I said before, I would probably be more tolerant if they hadn't been such arseholes. Including damaging my car and then refusing to fully reimburse me the cost of fixing it.

I’m the end of my extension. The electrician and his apprentice came today to do some bits of work. They didn’t wear masks or PPE because they are working on the house. Yes they were probably in close contact with each other but that’s their choice and they work together all day so what are they meant to do? Not practical to stand two meters apart when they are both needed to fit something.

I stayed out of the way and only had a quick chat at the end, social distanced for less than 15 mins. The government says they can work and that’s what they are doing. Fed up of people moaning about trades, when they are working within the rules and trying to earn.

If you don’t like the rules, write to your MP to lobby to change them.