Help me not other think my anxiety with builders in the house

[Posey67]

I appreciate I'm not being very rational, I know I'm being silly and overthinking. However, the thought of having builders in my house is filling me with anxiety.

In 2 months time, we're having all of our windows redone in our 4 bed semi, including all bathrooms too. This work Is set to take place while we're abroad ( there was no other time to do this as the work may have been disruptive to the dcs) it's just the thought of coming back to the amount of housework is making me want to cancel it all together aswell as opening my house up freely to strangers.

The reason for this fear is 2 years ago we had a side extension and the builders absolutely had no respect for our property or the fact we had to continue to live there.
Aside for the normal building mess, I found labourers in the rooms they shouldn't be, one caused a gas leak and decided to leave me sleeping (while pregnant) they were all safely evacuated on the drive. Another used my towels as toilet roll and left it there for me to find 🤢

Can someone tell me I'm not the only one to be anxious about this?
What's the real mess involved with new windows throught the house? What can I expect

No advice, but lots of sympathy - I would hate this too, and to be honest with you I couldn't even go through with it. No one enters my house without me being there.
I hope these are not the same builders as 2 years ago? It sounds like you had a particularly bad experience back then. It shouldn't be that bad this time. Most builders are decent people. Will you be meeting them before you leave? That would help me a bit, I think.

I would feel the same, I have a lot of anxiety around strangers in 'my space'.

Have you got a recommendation for your new ones?

Yes, luckily he's my DH's old school friend. But he doesnt know any of the other labourers that will be here. He also did my FILs house and he gave a good review.