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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To lock my bathroom during renovations in the flat

187 replies

Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 01:58

The flat has just one bathroom/toilet which has just been refurbished. Considering this is in London, the price of the renovation was extortionate.

Now we have painters and decorators coming in to paint the walls, skirting boards etc.
I really don't want them to use the bath or sink for keeping the tools and washing up.
It still bothers me how much the bathroom renovation has set us back and if someone was now to scratch the bathtub or break a tile I think I'd have a mental breakdown.
I want them to use the kitchen sink instead, or to set up some buckets on the kitchen floor - whatever they can come up with - just to stay away from the bloody bathroom.
I am tempted to lock the bathroom to prevent any damage or soiling.

And I feel this is horrible - it is as if I don't want them to use the loo or something (and it is not about that at all).
But then, the guys who did the bathroom had nowhere to go for 10 days while renovating it - so this is not an impossible set up.

I feel I am being unreasonable but honestly with the prices the contractors are charging at the moment I could not care less - they can certainly afford a quick coffee in a nearby cafe and use the loo there.
Thoughts.

OP posts:
abracadabra1980 · 18/05/2025 08:49

FifiFiadh · 18/05/2025 02:03

They will piss in your kitchen sink.

🤣

springintoaction321 · 18/05/2025 08:50

FFS - why would a professional decorator wash their brushes in your bath/bathroom sink???

Is it just me or does that sound totally bonkers?

We had someone in to paper and paint hallway with high ceiling/walls etc and son's bedroom. He left no mess whatsoever, and certainly didn't even clean brushes/rollers in our house.

We did let him use the bathroom to use the toilet, as he was working a solid 8 to 9 hours each day.

XxSideshowAuntSallyx · 18/05/2025 08:51

I had workmen in recently, they didnt wash anything in the bathroom sink other than their hands. No tools were stored in the bath or sink. Everything was covered.

Alhough I did feel kind of awkward having to ask the hot young workman if I could use the toilet, he dutifully moved all their stuff, uncovered it, closed the window, made sure I didn't pee surrounded by dust 😂. Every day it was always him in there when I needed a bloody pee!🤦‍♀️

Jk987 · 18/05/2025 08:52

Where do they go to the toilet then?

Tbrh · 18/05/2025 08:53

Fenchapel · 18/05/2025 08:43

I’d rather they piss in the kitchen sink tbh

Show quote history

Then I think that's perfectly fine and your choice. What about shit?

Floranan · 18/05/2025 08:53

I’ve never experienced anything like this, I’m having some plastering and painting done at the moment and they use buckets out on the patio to wash their brushes etc. could you not just explain that you’ve been badly treated before and would appreciate it if they used buckets for cleaning tools and the bathroom is purely for it’s intended use.

in my experience if you treat workers well and respect that they have a job todo, then they respect you and your property much more.

MrsEverest · 18/05/2025 08:54

When we’ve had work done we’ve had a portaloo out the front.

BTW many community health care workers have no access to a bathroom as they go about their work. The ones I know use have a map of public toilets and also use facilites in cafes when they grab a coffee etc. it has really interested me to see how many people find this unacceptable for a largely male workforce when it’s absolutely the norm for a largely female one….:

Not to mention the people who think that if these men are not provided with a toilet they will ‘shit in the kitchen sink’ really?

SoInLuv · 18/05/2025 08:55

Ankther · 18/05/2025 02:20

Absolutely not. They have to have access to a toilet. If you want to hire people to do work for you rather than doing it yourself, you have to meet their basic needs and treat them like your fellow humans who are worthy of respect.

You can of course be clear that the bathroom is to be used for toileting only and not washing paintbrushes, but you cannot bar them from using the only toilet in the property.

Absolutely 💯

Moonnstars · 18/05/2025 08:59

Following to find out where @Hocuspoc went to the toilet for the 10 days when the bathroom was being replaced!

SwingTheMonkey · 18/05/2025 09:03

Moonnstars · 18/05/2025 08:59

Following to find out where @Hocuspoc went to the toilet for the 10 days when the bathroom was being replaced!

Please, just give her time to come up with a plausible story. Don’t rush her…

Bluebellwood129 · 18/05/2025 09:05

Badbadbunny · 18/05/2025 04:36

Sadly there are a lot of Neanderthal knuckle dragging tradesmen who will deliberately take the piss when a woman tells them to do or not do something - they take it as an insult coming from a mere woman as it offends their “big man” attitude.

They like the tea and biscuits because that suits their narrative of woman’s work, ie a woman pandering to the men.

Edited
Show quote history

And equally, there are a lot of fabulous tradespeople who work very carefully in people's homes and are very respectful of women.

PuggyPuggyPuggy · 18/05/2025 09:05

Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 02:34

I once had contractors fitting a window and they were explicitly told not to step on decorative beams on the wall - I caught them standing on these 3 times and the next day the beams came crashing down. Luckily noone got hurt.
But in my experience people don't respect what you ask them to do or not to do.
Sadly you need to physically prevent access - hence this awkward thread.

Show quote history

I'm team "Just tell them what they can't do" but I get why you find it hard to trust them on that.

Can you fill the bath with something that would be inconvenient for them to move? In the name of creating space for them to be able to move around. I guess it depends on the extent to which you also need to be able to live in the flat while the work is being done but it sounds like you don't expect to be there (otherwise you could keep an eye on them, right?)
Maybe a combination of
-Telling them very clearly what you expect "We've just had the bathroom done and it cost an arm and a leg, can I ask that you treat it as an absolute no-go zone for tools and equipment. Please make sure everyone knows that. Do what you like with the sink in the kitchen, I don't care if you use that to mix paint in, haha!"

  • Put your own protection in place for floors, maybe some cheap mats or something "Don't worry about these, they are literally just there to protect the floor during the renovations"
  • Blocking access to the bath ( "I've put the coffee table and xyz in the bath so at least some things are completely out of your way and you don't have to keep shimmying the curniture around, hope that helps!"

-And finally after they have given you they "christ, you're obsessed about this bathroom" look, drop in casually that you or your partner are likely to drop in for some reason or other during the day. Working a half day, whatever, just so they know that someone will see if they are not respecting your property.

Toddlerteaplease · 18/05/2025 09:21

@Badbadbunnymaybe I’ve just got lucky, but I’ve never had anything but polite and respectful tradespeople in my house.

ByWiseAquaFinch · 18/05/2025 09:24

Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 01:58

The flat has just one bathroom/toilet which has just been refurbished. Considering this is in London, the price of the renovation was extortionate.

Now we have painters and decorators coming in to paint the walls, skirting boards etc.
I really don't want them to use the bath or sink for keeping the tools and washing up.
It still bothers me how much the bathroom renovation has set us back and if someone was now to scratch the bathtub or break a tile I think I'd have a mental breakdown.
I want them to use the kitchen sink instead, or to set up some buckets on the kitchen floor - whatever they can come up with - just to stay away from the bloody bathroom.
I am tempted to lock the bathroom to prevent any damage or soiling.

And I feel this is horrible - it is as if I don't want them to use the loo or something (and it is not about that at all).
But then, the guys who did the bathroom had nowhere to go for 10 days while renovating it - so this is not an impossible set up.

I feel I am being unreasonable but honestly with the prices the contractors are charging at the moment I could not care less - they can certainly afford a quick coffee in a nearby cafe and use the loo there.
Thoughts.

I secured mine and they broke in and used it anyway.

AlorsTimeForWine · 18/05/2025 09:28

The renovations I've done and the mindless costly idiotic things I've seen builders do....i would really be tempted to do as you suggest.... however he issue is where do they poo!

If you can get a portaloo I say go for it.
Id deliver the message v apologetically and blame it on whatever.

Fenchapel · 18/05/2025 09:34

Floranan · 18/05/2025 08:53

I’ve never experienced anything like this, I’m having some plastering and painting done at the moment and they use buckets out on the patio to wash their brushes etc. could you not just explain that you’ve been badly treated before and would appreciate it if they used buckets for cleaning tools and the bathroom is purely for it’s intended use.

in my experience if you treat workers well and respect that they have a job todo, then they respect you and your property much more.

Triggered again - made lovely tea and biscuits for guys redoing the attic and still found they had stained the contract grade linoleum with putting a tin of solvent down.

Let them poo anywhere they like but you’re bathroom will never be the same.

Trailfinderexpress · 18/05/2025 09:37

Proper decorators take their tools away to wash.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 18/05/2025 09:48

Where did the last builders use the loo?

If a Portolo or pub across the road that don't mind, you need to warn them in advance that your loo is out of action

(I would say 'it's also being renovated and no working bathroom' and then lock it) but warn them very clearly before about where they can go to the loo.

CatrionaBalfour · 18/05/2025 09:49

Toddlerteaplease · 18/05/2025 09:21

@Badbadbunnymaybe I’ve just got lucky, but I’ve never had anything but polite and respectful tradespeople in my house.

Me too! As I said, 37 years a home owner, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, you name it. Never a problem.

Upinthetreetops · 18/05/2025 09:57

Good grief just communicate.
'I've recently had the bathroom renovated. Of course I'm more than happy for you to use the loo, but would not like any equipment stored or cleaned in the bathroom in order to avoid any damage. Please feel free to use the kitchen for anything like that.'

Maybe I'm a grump but I see so much on here of people making mountains out of molehills when all it would take is simple communication to solve the issue. Have we forgotten how to communicate? They're humans too and will understand you don't want your new bathroom ruined, and probably have zero desire to ruin your new bathroom either!

londongirl12 · 18/05/2025 10:07

Just speak to them 🤦🏻‍♀️. Say you’ve just had the bathroom done and if they could keep the tools etc out of there, but they’re welcome to use the loo. Why do people have to make it so complicated.

Bubblesgun · 18/05/2025 10:15

Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 02:24

Agreed, but the guys who renovated my bathroom had no toilet access for 10 days (because they took everything out first day).

Show quote history

Yes but he knew that as he was renovating a BATHROOM!!!!
the decoretor is painting so will need (and expecting a loo access).

what is wrong that you cant talk to him.
seriously some people create issues when there none if people
were to communicate.

“hey. This is the bathroom. Please can I ask you not wash your brushes and tools in that sink? You can use the kitchen one for that. Thank you” then move on to can i get you a coffee or a tea?

as someone previously said you have to treat them respecfully. They are humans being

Original poster
Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 20:26

SwingTheMonkey · 18/05/2025 06:49

I have never had a decorator or tradesman use my sink to wash brushes or my bath to store tools.

My guess is that you don’t want them using your toilet but you know you’ll get absolutely roasted on here if you say that so you’ve gone with this other ridiculous scenario which would almost certainly never happen.

Excuse me but - what is wrong with you?
I am trying to ensure that my new bathroom doesn't get ruined by tools and the pipes blocked by paint, yet somehow based on that - you claim I do not want people using my loo for a couple of days.
I hope you don't work in a place where simple logic is required.

Also - why would I be ashamed to ask anything or admit anything on an anonymous forum. No offence, by I really do not care what you or anyonethink of me - you don't know me, I don't know you, why would I pretend to be/feel/think anything here ?!?

OP posts:
Original poster
Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 20:33

cantthinkofausername26 · 18/05/2025 08:23

Ps - how can you lock the bathroom door from the outside??

There is a keyhole.

OP posts:
IloveSootyandSweep · 18/05/2025 20:35

Hocuspoc · 18/05/2025 20:26

Excuse me but - what is wrong with you?
I am trying to ensure that my new bathroom doesn't get ruined by tools and the pipes blocked by paint, yet somehow based on that - you claim I do not want people using my loo for a couple of days.
I hope you don't work in a place where simple logic is required.

Also - why would I be ashamed to ask anything or admit anything on an anonymous forum. No offence, by I really do not care what you or anyonethink of me - you don't know me, I don't know you, why would I pretend to be/feel/think anything here ?!?

Show quote history

Honestly @SwingTheMonkey i don’t think I’ve ever had a decorator that hasn’t ruined something.

Using sinks and whbs and baths and shower cubicles to wash paint is not unusual. Even if you tell them not to.
I’ve had wrecked fittings with builders dropping stuff ( wrenches etc ) on worktops and wash hand basins. I’ve had oil spillages on wood floors. I’ve had them walking all over original wood floors when clearly told multiple times and in writing in the contract to cover and protect. I’ve had grass and shrubs killed by rubbish thrown on it, despite telling them to keep everything off the grass. I’ve even had decorators wash their bloody equipment in a fish pond.

All of these jobs will have contracts and me as an Architect keeping tabs on them but I’m afraid no matter how great their credentials some do take short cuts and don’t give a toss. By saying some I’m being polite there