Having Landscaping Done During "Lockdown"

[renouncefifty]

We have been looking at getting a new driveway and some work done to the rear of the property for sometime.

The contractor is desperate for work right now and is willing to start Monday. All work is outside the house. We have a separate downstairs bathroom if the contractors need it. They say they can keep social distancing the materials supplier is now open.

Would I be unreasonable to employ the contractor and get the work done during lockdown ? I don't need to go within 2 m of them at anytime

I'm particularly interested in if I could be in trouble if I go ahead !

Thanks in advance

It sounds OK to me.

We have someone who comes and does garden maintenance every few weeks. He came this week but texted us the day before to say he was coming and could we stay indoors while he was there.

That's absolutely fine. My only query would be if the contractor is working with other people can they keep a safe distance apart?

I wouldn't have any reservations with them doing it as far as their safety is concerned. If they can complete it whilst social distancing then that would be fine. I would be concerned about the noise and mess from my neighbours point of view though. A great number of people are trying to work from home or trying to home school their kids right now and they aren't going to be able to escape it.

Yes, it's fine if in England.
I think Scotland is stricter about non essential building work

I'm currently getting quotes (remotely) for a new patio

Sounds like a good idea and will help keep the economy afloat. You can always rent a portaloo if you are worried about the builders coming inside.

Yes why not?
Lots of people are at work and not always able to distance.

I am in Scotland. I called the local plod and they just said they aren't allowed to give advice ! (Helpful)

It's fine. But think about how noisy it might be. My neighbours are renovating their house and chopping down their trees. The noise starts at 8am and goes on all day. I'm trying to work from home and can't open any windows because of this.

My partner is a landscaper....he is getting loads of enquiries from people wanting their gardens done....he is able to work outside and not have any contact with the customer at all....his biggest challenge has been buying materials.

I would say it is fine as workers who can not work from home can still go to work. He can not carry out his job and landscape your garden from home so therefore he would have to come to you to do it.... that would be my understanding anyway

I'm in England. Fencers have been today to fix my broken fence panels

Absolutely fine and has been clarified as such.
I had a landscaper in at the start of the week to turn the truly hideous and unusable back garden into a child friendly space (so I can hang out in the sun while my feral off spring climb something other than me).

The landscaper said a fair bit of work had been cancelled so he was happy for it. No contact, he had his sons helping out and even brought his own flask for drinks.

Next step is to get a company in who build climbing frames and swing sets!

I’m impressed that he can get materials so quickly.
We’ve got to wait 3 weeks for a skip, 4 weeks for a delivery of fence panels and I don’t know how long for my decking to be delivered !

@majesticallyawkward

If you get something build, see if they can include an enclosed area like a tent/camp.

We bought a large frame with swings, slide, T bar, multiple climbing parts, 20 years ago with a strong Tarpaulin enclosed tent.

Best buy ever, they spent their time on it or in it.
Best bu

I am in Scotland. I called the local plod and they just said they aren't allowed to give advice.

This would come under non essential construction, which is not allowed in Scotland.

That said, it’s the contractor who would be fined, so if he’s going to do it, it’s on him.

@billy1966 great idea, thanks! I've found a fab company who make the set to order so I'll see if they can add something like that!

It's odd how happy just a nicer space has made us all and we can't even use the grass yet

I think it’s ok as long as they don’t come in your house or work closely with each other but as regards to your neighbours it’s a dick move to get noisy building or landscaping done when most people are stuck indoors all day and can’t escape it and might be home schooling or working from home . Normally people are at work some of the time so it’s not as intense if a neighbour has building work . I’m thinking about my neighbors extension last year that stopped me sleeping after nightshift for about 6 months .

Not sure. These are the rules for construction workers in Scotland. This is obviously not essential-

www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-construction-sector-guidance/

It's not construction it's landscaping

If it’s quiet work and not using excavators it shouldn’t be a problem then I don’t see anyone bothering .

I am in Scotland. I was out on my daily walk around our leafy suburb earlier and saw work starting on a roof replacement job, someone having their drive jetwashed and someone else having those big bags of gravel delivered off the back of a truck. We had someone in yesterday to service the boiler.

It all sounds as if you can definitely keep out of each other's way, so yes. Tell them to start on Monday.

Please don't do it if it's noisy. I've been trying to homeschool my son and there are key workers trying to sleep off or before nightshifts, some of them could be itu workers or paramedics. I wish people would consider their selfish actions before they deprive others of peace or sleep where there is no option to get away from it. You should not be subjecting your neighbours to noise during lockdown.

We're having new paving laid in the back garden. It was organised weeks ago, and we have a side entrance. The builders are distancing, and not even accepting cups of tea.