To ask builder/contractor to take shoes off whilst entering our home

[Doremi1689]

Opinions?? Is it unnecessary to ask a builder/contractor to take their shoes off when entering our home? We had a leaflet through our door for someone to come round and take a look at our staircase for a quote. When the guy asked if he can take a look upstairs at the stair banister my husband politely asked if he can take his shoes off ? there was a long pause and the man took offence and said really?? Why? Husband said we have a little one in the house crawling around. He said “how do you expect me to work here?” My husband said we can put a plastic sheet down, we’ll make it work? (FYI we are renovating
our house and so far ALL workers eg electricians, fireplace installers, plastering, have put sheets down without us asking, or even wrapping their shoes around with a cover). The man said “I’m not doing this” and stormed off out the door!! We are so confused !!!

Youre not unreasonable to ask, but you really should be providing shoe/boot covers. Tradesmen can't work without boots, its dangerous.

I’ve never had them take shoes off, but some wear those plastic over-shoe things and they all put sheets down.

Also, your crawling child shouldn't really be anywhere near the stairs.

Either provide shoe covers or just clean the floor after they go!

I’ve had workmen come to look at a job take shoes off without being asked. On the working day they’ve come with thick dust sheets. You know what he’s like in advance so lucky as it wouldn’t have worked.

@PonyPatter44 but he was taking a look to provide a quote rather than doing the work there and then, and he can't float to the stairs so would presumably walk across the floor to get to them

Do you really want a builder to take of their shoes? They've been all day in safety cap boots. It's gonna smell😚Also, if you want them to do joinery, they'll need their boots on for safety reasons. But I am feeling for you, having building work done and loads of trades marching in and out is messy. Just try to get accustomed to a bit of dirt and give it all a spring clean and carpet deep clean at the end.

I know we are all different but we renovated houses when our kids were younger
No overshoes, we just got on with it and they all survived
I think you have to be realistic, some things are for safety reasons for them

@PonyPatter44 its called a safety gate 🙄

@DorisWallis and I said we had previous workers wear shoes with covers over regarding safety concerns. Anyway, the main issue was how surprised we were when asked to take his shoes off he suddenly switched and stormed out the door out of nowhere. Totally unnecessary

If you dont want outdoor shoes indoors then provide shoe covers and ask them to wear them when doing quotes.

Or even better when asking them to come do a quote let them know in advance you have this requirement so they can decline the work and not waste anyones time

Also ask them to include in the cost of the quote shoe covers, protective plastic flooring, additional time to lay and lift.

I'm with your builder. He can't work without safety boots and you clearly gave the message that you expected him to. Obviously he'd not waste another moment of his time with you.

He probably decided that you would be too difficult to work for and decided it wasn't worth the hassle.

I know Mumsnet loves a shoes on/shoes off thread but as you're adult in your own home you get to choose, that's literally all there is to it

@Soonberaining and very relieved ! Have had a bad previous experience to switch like that. All our previous workers without question put sheets down/work shoe covers. Glad to not have had him before getting ourselves into something bad !

Must have had a bad experience *

I don’t know why other posters are equating shoes off for a quote with shoes off for using chainsaws. Obviously for the job shoes are needed and dust sheets can be down. They don’t need shoes on for a look at a bannister - he was being wierd IMO

“I’ve had workmen come to look at a job take shoes off without being asked. On the working day they’ve come with thick dust sheets. You know what he’s like in advance so lucky as it wouldn’t have worked.”

^This. Any decent person who have bought dust shoe covers with them in the first place.

This is pretty much what I was going to say.

OP, you and your husband are being utterly ridiculous. You really did give the impression that you would expect everything to be done without shoes on in your home. A workman doing potentially heavy work and using sharp tools cannot do that for safety reasons and you just have to accept it.

Your builder was right. You were silly.

I'm with your builder. He can't work without safety boots and you clearly gave the message that you expected him to.

She wasn't asking him to do work without shoes. This visit was only to look at something, for which he doesn't need shoes. When the time comes to do the work, he should put down floor coverings, without having to be asked. The fact that the husband had to explain this is how indoor work is done is a bit of a red flag. It sounds like this guy is not used to doing domestic work, so he probably wasn't the right option anyway.

As a paramedic I’ve been asked to take my work boots off before entering a house I’ve been called to before.

You can ask, your home your rules, but I’m not really surprised you got the response you did. Their business their rules.

You really did give the impression that you would expect everything to be done without shoes on in your home

Go back and read the OP.

Firstly the husband did explain that there would be floor coverings, so he would be able to wear shoes then.

Secondly, if the guy had any clue about doing work in someone's house, he would already know that actually it's his job to put down floor coverings, without being asked. He sounds clueless.

I work in other people's homes, I suppose I am classed as a tradesperson and I always put on shoe covers without being asked. I wouldn't be bothered in my own house though, unless the shoes were filthy.

I have had three different plumbers in the long time I've lived here, every single one has offered to take shoes off. Also had bathroom fitters, two bathrooms completely demolished and rebuilt, floor coverings laid while they did the work, offered shoes off without me having to ask when providing the quote.