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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think we surely can't get a patio put in right now?

49 replies

Polomints · 03/04/2020 19:55

We had a quote for a patio a few weeks ago (before lockdown) for our garden that is fully pawned with no place for a seating area. The guy messaged me earlier in the week to say they now have availability next week if we want it done.

Now, I would love a space to sit and relax in as I think we'll be spending a lot of time in the garden this summer, but I just feel it's inappropriate at the moment. DH thinks I'm being ridiculous. He says there are no restrictions on tradespeople so it's fine as long as we say they can't come in the house, but I think this is basically just a large non-essential purchase. Who is BU?

OP posts:

Fishfingersandwichplease · 03/04/2020 23:20

Omg we are in exactly this position but thought the same, ie, can't get anyone out so am delighted to hear people think it is ok!!

LouiseCollina · 03/04/2020 23:35

Anyone in this situation would be mad not to do it. We could be in for untold weeks or months of this lockdown. As someone blessed with a large garden full of flowers and trees, I can’t overemphasise the joy of sitting out in it during these cabin-fever inducing times! I was out potting plants this afternoon and am thankful for my good fortune every time I set foot out the back garden. Get that patio built!

TooDamnSarky · 03/04/2020 23:39

We had similar work planned and the tradesman cancelled because he said it would be impossible for him and his staff to do it safely. They could stay away from us but not from each other. He viewed his work as non essential and so has shut down the business for now.

AmelieTaylor · 03/04/2020 23:46

I wouldn’t worry about what the neighbours think.

But I don’t think there should be ‘loads of workmen’ Why does he need loads of them? One or two max - if he can’t do that, then I’d say no & get another contractor who can do it themselves.

Fruitbatdancer · 03/04/2020 23:51

My only word of caution would be what if they are mid build and we went into complete lockdown? Could you cope with a half built mess for several months? If yes, then fine, if not don’t start what you can’t finish. I know someone who was mid kitchen build, nightmare as even if trades wanted to carry on kitchen itself delayed. Imagine...

Crabbo · 03/04/2020 23:59

We’re planning to have garden landscaping and patio done in June - it’s been postponed until July but only because the guy said he’s building supply place is shut. As long as yours can get the supplies they need I don’t see why not - they’ll be outside (ours have said they won’t use our toilet or anything).

thenewaveragebear1983 · 04/04/2020 09:14

@screwcovid19 Prior to lockdown, the builders doing my neighbour's extension would go down his garden and pee behind his very swanky home office shed , sometimes while he was in it.

Kastanien · 04/04/2020 09:24

Don't workmen tend to need the toilet?

Bucket in the back of the van!

OP I would just consider if it will be noisy- your neighbours are also stuck in the house and they can't get away from the noise of the building work like they could previously. Maybe speak to them and warn them about it if you are on good terms (and want to remain so?)

mogtheexcellent · 04/04/2020 09:25

We had our patio laid a few years ago now. The workmen didn't use our loo at all. They drove off at lunchtime and came back an hour later.

Didn't even want the tea and biscuits I had got in for them.

I would specify they cant use the facilities but otherwise should be ok.

FlashingLights101 · 04/04/2020 09:29

We were supposed to have some trees cut down in our garden last week and we asked if we could postpone it (mostly because of the neighbours to be honest!) but now I'm wondering if we should have gone ahead...

Wetfloortiles · 04/04/2020 09:29

My husband is a landscaper and the only reason he finished work yesterday for the time being is because the suppliers are now only supplying essential things....he can't get hold of anything he needs anymore, despite the risk being so minimal (infection).

MangosteenSoda · 04/04/2020 09:43

Ohh. I'm in the same position and was resigning myself to not having a very usable garden for the duration. I just renovated a house and the garden was to be the final project.

I'm now going to see if my landscaper can still do it. I'm desperate for a safe space for my autistic DS to burn off energy outside. I'll hire him a portaloo if he wants one

TidyDancer · 04/04/2020 09:48

My next door neighbour is a lone worker in this respect. He is a builder and hires tradespeople as and when he needs them but he has a job on for this exact thing next week and it's for an older lady. He is going alone and won't be entering her house or going anywhere near her. It keeps his business going and is at no risk to her.

Mummyshark2018 · 04/04/2020 10:23

Yes I would do it and I heard this question asked on one of the daily briefings- garners, window cleaners etc were deemed ok as long as you didn't come in contact with them. I would tell them no drinks will be served, not allowed to use toilet and no face to face communication.

Bluntness100 · 04/04/2020 10:25

Also can’t see the issue here. The economy needs to keep moving. They aren’t in your house, why not.

Redcherries · 04/04/2020 10:34

Why do people keep saying it’s non essential, the construction trade is open and tradesmen and their families need to eat and pay bills. There is a lot of health and safety advice for Covid in the trade.

If you are going to not allow them to use facilities please do supply water and soap in place of access to a sink. I’ve shut down any site I wasn’t confident the team could wash their hands easily.

The only issue may be if his supplier shuts, were down to a tiny handful of suppliers now and some will only supply if you’re working on hospitals, education facilities etc, so worth ensuring he gets everything at the start.

LavenderQuartz · 04/04/2020 11:00

I was going to say.....where do they buy the materials from? It’s going to put someone at risk along the line somewhere

Some items are a 2 man lift
Cashier when paying for it
Proximity during the job

modgepodge · 04/04/2020 11:07

We had our garden project started the DAY we went in to lockdown!! We fully expected the guy to say they couldn’t carry on, but to my surprise he said if we were happy he’d carry on, he’s reduced the number of guys on site so they can observe distancing rules but other than that he’s carried on. They did some work for us last year and never used our loo or accepted the tea and coffee we offered then, and obviously we haven’t even offered this time.

We were due to have some other work done inside the house this month, understandably that has been cancelled.

I think it’s fine OP. The firm will be grateful for the income, and we as a society should be grateful for Receiving the tax they’ll pay on their income, rather than having to pay them 80% of their income to not work.

Redcherries · 04/04/2020 11:32

Lots of tradesmen are self employed so won’t get much at all until June.

I know that having people working to get the supplies out isn’t ideal but if the construction trade fails at the client base then the effects are long reaching up the supply and manufacture chain. Builders working on projects that they can implement the appropriate health and safety during will protect a lot of jobs all over the country, not just the builders themselves.

MsTSwift · 04/04/2020 11:36

We were due to have non essential electrical work done. Really want it done and electrician keeps texting to say he is allowed. But we feel we can’t as they will be in our house so surely breaches lockdown? Plus fear we will be judged in our cul de sac...

Think I would proceed with a patio as outdoors

BarbaraManatee · 04/04/2020 11:41

We were looking into getting our glazing redone pre-lockdown. Most of our double glazing has failed & we've been saving up to get it fixed. Part of me is tempted to see if anyone will come to do it & we'd just hang out in the garden while they're here... I keep worrying about them having an accident & needing to go to A&E though so I think it'll just have to wait.

myfav · 04/04/2020 11:56

I think as it's outside and they wouldn't need to come in the house or have close contact with you it may be okay. The only thing I'd say is I don't think it would be a good idea to offer them drinks etc as the cups could provide an opportunity for the transfer of the virus.

ChikiTIKI · 04/04/2020 12:24

Yeah I would say that if its a one person job then maybe it's OK? Although they will have to buy supplies etc which is really a non essential trip.

If its a 2 or more person job then I wouldn't have it done right now. In order to do the work they will probably share a van and be in close contact with one another which is an unnecessary risk to their health.

ChikiTIKI · 04/04/2020 12:27

@BarbaraManatee we were due to have a large window changed to bifold doors last over a week ago. At first I thought it maybe could go ahead and I could go to my parents house but then Boris announced the lock down and the company postponed until further notice. I agree with their decision because it is in the best interests on the workers. They would have to stand close together to fit the windows and share a van etc so it's not worth the risk to their health.

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