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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Workmen with no respect...aibu?

29 replies

Lisarobinson444 · 16/02/2018 13:46

I live in a flat,it’s a upstairs flat.
Today I’m getting a new kitchen put in and workmen have been here since 8am.
They are going in and out to van and people coming in.
My gas and electric are off whilst they take out old kitchen...they are leaving front door wide open.
I went down and shut it 4!! Times and they keep re opening it.
I said can we leave the door shut please it’s freezing...
His response “sorry love we need it open as people are coming in and out all day”
Surely they can open a door with the handle and close it again?
I’ve went into town for a hour but back now and I literally can’t get warm.
Nobody has been in nor out in 40 min!!

OP posts:
QuiteLikely5 · 16/02/2018 13:47

It’s very inconsiderate.

Politely say ‘I want the door shut’ and shut it Smile

Bluelady · 16/02/2018 13:48

Sorry, I think you're being pretty unreasonable. It must be miserable there with all the banging anyway. Why not just go out and find somewhere warm and peaceful.

fearfultrill · 16/02/2018 13:48

To be honest I would assume if workmen were putting a kitchen in that they would need the door open all day, if they're carrying doors/appliances/cupboards then they aren't going to have free hands to open the door every time they go in and out.

I think it's one of those things you'll have to put up with for a while. Can you go out again, to a coffee shop or something until they're done?

Original poster
Lisarobinson444 · 16/02/2018 13:49

I was in town earlier but felt a bit light headed so came home.
I’m having problems with my blood pressure lately so just want to be home where I feel safe.

OP posts:
juddyrockingcloggs · 16/02/2018 13:50

They're probably cold too and I doubt they want it open because they have a winter weather fetish. So long as they do a good job with your kitchen!

Sparklesdontshine · 16/02/2018 13:51

We had someone fitting a log burner in our living room the other day, that started smoking whilst he was doing it! He didn’t even ask! The whole house stunk, plus I have 2 babies with asthma Angry

Pengggwn · 16/02/2018 13:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

expatinscotland · 16/02/2018 13:53

Can't they leave it on the snib?

CoffeenoTea · 16/02/2018 14:00

@sparkles.

Please tell me you asked him to go outside?

NetballHoop · 16/02/2018 14:15

@expatinscotland snib is a great word. I hadn't heard it before but will be using it from now on.

Valentinesfart · 16/02/2018 14:23

Practically speaking I think you' should leave them to it, however it's your house so if you say close the door they should

frogsoup · 16/02/2018 14:24

Snib - hadn't heard that either but what a fantastic word!

Blackteadrinker77 · 16/02/2018 14:26

That's standard when you have work done, they are back and forward with tools/equipment.

Wrap up in a blanket, extra socks if needed.

Sparklesdontshine · 16/02/2018 14:28

@coffenotea, he had been working alone in the house as it was an all day job, I didn't realise until I had got home and he had gone by then

teaiseverything · 16/02/2018 14:31

Annoying but hey, you're getting a new kitchen. I'm sure they're freezing their tits off too and as for the longer gaps when it's open and nobody is going in and out, they will inevitably do so soon and probably think leaving it open is less annoying for you than constant banging and slamming.

Cup of tea and plenty of blankets.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 16/02/2018 14:32

Jew are having the whole house renovated.

I have a 2, 4 and 5 year olds. They are currently doing the loft conversion and even I can see the poor buggers need the front door open as they can't get everything up and down the scaffolding. Plus the plumber just arrived as I left laden down with copper piping and two large bags. Someone appeared shortly beforehand with two huge pallets of tiles. The stuff they are carrying is so heavy that it is a lot easier to keep the door open. Please feel free to say you want it shut but be prepared to pay for an extra day on the job at least to cover for time putting down what they are carrying (presume ripping out the old kitchen and bringing in new) and opening and shutting the door

My view is the more you can do to help, the sooner the job is done

needmysleep75 · 16/02/2018 14:38

Door open I could cope with, plumber has just left after sorting my boiler he didn't move the pile of towels and now every clean towel I have is soaking wet. Going to be 2 or 3 wash loads to get them sorted now. All he had to do was move them or ask me too!

MissEliza · 16/02/2018 14:51

We had our bathroom refitted recently and the workmen left the key in the front door so they could pop in and out without disturbing us. I have to say though that workmen do prefer to work in empty houses so they can get on with it.

Vitalogy · 16/02/2018 14:56

Could you go and sit in cafe with a nice hot chocolate and a few magazines. It'll all be worth it in the end. Brew

Vitalogy · 16/02/2018 14:56

Oh and Cake of course.

Dungeondragon15 · 16/02/2018 15:02

I suppose it isn't possible for them to keep opening and shutting the door if they are carrying equipment in and out. When I have had workman I just shut it myself. They usually reopen it a bit later and I just shut again! I work at home so not really possible for me to wrap up warm or go out.

SilverySurfer · 16/02/2018 15:05

YABU and unrealistic to think they can fetch and carry stuff from outside multiple times a day with the door being shut. Shut yourself in your bedroom and close the door - should be warmer or go out to the library or a cafe for a couple of hours.

mommybear1 · 16/02/2018 15:42

YANBU I am in the middle (ish!) of a house renovation we started off very considerate to the builders et al - supplied tea, coffee, biscuits etc of course let them have all the frinkin doors open to make their lives easier whilst we froze. However they don't appreciate it for them it's a work site for us/you it's your home that's the key difference. Final straw for us was coming home with our premie baby to a freezing cold house as they had turned the gas off despite knowing we were coming home and two pebbledashed brand new toilets that had not even been flushed. We sacked the builder and refused to pay builder is back and he has different subbies with him now however we are now not so accommodating. However they have still sought to continue to shit in the one loo we gave them access to without flushing/ leave all the doors open to let our heating out despite having a baby here with breathing issues in the middle of frikin winter (as you can tell I'm not impressed) and failed to put down floor covers/dust covers to protect the carpeted areas. I've therefore made the point of locking the front door removing the key sending them out the one door that automatically locks behind them and taking all the window keys so they can't be opened. I have also not supplied tea or coffee or loo paper! Semi success as unfortunately they still now shit regardless of the paper Confusedbut plus side they are keen to get off our job. Unfortunately OP the phrase treat them as they treat you rather than as you would like to be treated applies! Tell them to shut the door and stop letting the heat out. Good luck ThanksCakeBrew

HarveyKietelRabbit · 16/02/2018 15:44

They need easy access as people are coming and going. Annoying yes but really not disrespectful.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 16/02/2018 15:46

OP is getting a new kitchen but it’s not like she’s getting it for free.

Builders aren’t doing it out of the goodness of their golden hearts, they are getting paid and can and should show some consideration.