Builders in house

[RoundTheTwister]

I have no idea if IABU. We are having a loft conversion done at present. The builders have just started and it's expected to take until Christmas. AIBU to not want the builders to be coming in to use our toilet with the current coronavirus situation? They do not need to come into the house to do the work until the last couple of weeks (they go in and out through the roof).

I presumed the company we are using would provide a portaloo but no sign of one yet. Is it our responsibility to hire one?

We have a three year old, 7 month old and a crazy dog who will chase cars if he gets out of the house which are also factors in why I don't really want them coming in and out.

I have no idea if I'm being precious and should just let them use it??

Can't you just ask them when their portaloo is being delivered and where they plan to place it?

Presumably you have a contract and discussed this prior to work starting? If so remind the company that they agreed to provide facilities for their staff. If not YABU

Why don’t you ask them? I find it odd you’re asking randoms on mumsnet and not just saying to them, what’s the portaloo situation.

We just finished having an extension and they had brought a portaloo without us even having to ask. They brought their own drinks etc and when they needed to talk to us it was from the other side of the garden.

You need to talk to them about how they are going to work.

Dont let them use your loo. I did when I was having my kitchen done last year and had to clean their pee and pubic hairs off the loo seat. I didnt have coronovirus as an excuse but you can and should use it as a valid reason to limit them coming into your house. Definitely ask about a portaloo and mention you assume its on the way 'because covid' (if covid can be used as a reason for all sorts of weird rules being created you can definitely use it in this instance)!

Have they been in use the loo yet? Ask them what will be happening rather than worrying. It's not practical or safe for them to be coming in to use the facilities so it's not an unreasonable query.

Thank you for the replies! I just wanted to check that I wasn't being unreasonable and that it wasn't our responsibility to provide toilet facilities. We will speak to the boss. We do have a contract but nothing is in it regarding toilets.

I've allocated the downstairs toilet for our builders (garage conversion). I've provided paper towels and anti viral wipes and made it clear I expect the toilet to be wiped down after each use. I do a proper clean at the end of the day.

I would not expect them to bring a portaloo for a small, domestic job. Where would they put it? In your garden?

As for asking randoms on the internet. I'm asking to find out the norm in this situation. I've never had builders do work for me before so if 99% of replies had said that it's normal to let them use the loo I would have looked into hiring a portaloo.

According to the letter of the law I think the principal contractor is reponsible for welfare facilities but you'd need to check what it says in your contract about cost etc.

No harm in asking on here for opinions imo, the majority of threads are doing the same

I wouldn't want the builders using our loo, esp as we only have the one. Nip this in the bud straight away. Ask them today

We're having a small upstairs bay window replaced on Wednesday. When I got the call last week to arrange the time I asked if the fitters would be wearing PPE. The woman's reaction made me think they wouldn't and she said she'd write on the notes for them to wear PPE

It makes me laugh. We're in the process of viewing houses, seen five so far and we have to wear gloves and a face covering. We're going into somebody's home so we just do it, we don't like it but we do it as EA's ask us to. I'm expecting the guys to turn up without PPE so I've got some for them at the door, if they refuse they won't be coming in. The window is in DD's bedroom

I've only had short outdoor work done recently - fencer and gardener - but both of them separately went out of their way to point out that they were "self contained" and wouldn't need use of any facilities. I would just bring it up with the project manager and don't feel shy about saying what your expectation is.

I would not expect them to bring a portaloo for a small, domestic job. Where would they put it? In your garden?

I wouldn't class a job lasting 3 months as 'small' and would expect the contractors to provide a loo for their staff rather than expect the OP to have men in and out of the house all day when they no need to be coming in.

And yes, what's wrong with putting it in the garden. I've seen portaloos in gardens in my area.

We are doing an extension and have a portaloo in the front garden at the moment. I thInk it’s been there since the end of July.

It’s fine- the only toilet in the house (until the work is finished) is upstairs so no thanks to builders coming in. We have enough disruption as it is.

We’ve recently been in this scenario. Outside work for a few weeks. I asked about the toilet situation before works commenced. Was told they would go to the cafe. Day two and they were using the loo. It’s a bit awkward to say no (and I didn’t want them disappearing for an hour for the sake of it). If if was having long term works done I’d insist on a portaloo.

@RoundTheTwister

As for asking randoms on the internet. I'm asking to find out the norm in this situation. I've never had builders do work for me before so if 99% of replies had said that it's normal to let them use the loo I would have looked into hiring a portaloo.

Of course it's OK to ask if you are unsure, that's what the site is for. Some people just enjoy being rude Hope it all goes well

@Bluntness100 I don't find it odd someone asking in AIBU if that are BU?

Isn't it to gauge the opinion of the "randoms on the Internet"?

We had to prove a Portal op for our builders because they were mainly working outside and we didn’t want them coming in and out. But we had to arrange and pay for the loo

@RoundTheTwister I'd nip this in the bud and say it's a portaloo needed, the longer you leave it the more the expectation that they don't think they need one.

Thanks everyone! Having determined I wasn't being unreasonable we have spoken to the boss and he says he will sort out a portaloo.

@RoundTheTwister great result! Three months is a long time.

Good result.