Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Stressed about tradesmen in house

51 replies

Moonsun21 · 22/09/2025 16:44

We're having a kitchen and bathroom refit. Will take approx 3 weeks. We don't have another bathroom or toilet to use. Everytime I think about it I feel so anxious. I feel like booking into a hotel for at least the first few days to get away from it, but also feel like I need to be around. Do other people trust tradesmen with keys to their house?

OP posts:

Ionlymakejokestodistractmyself · 22/09/2025 16:46

What are you worried about?

We are currently having work done, it's noisy and dusty but I'm not anxious. I paid extra to get a person in I liked and trusted.

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 22/09/2025 16:48

What's the plan without the toilet? Back garden and a shovel? If that's the plan I vote hotel.

ComfortFoodCafe · 22/09/2025 16:49

Surely you need to hire a port-a-loo?

Overtheatlantic · 22/09/2025 16:50

Hotel for me. The toilet was out of commission for a few days. 🥺

24Dogcuddler · 22/09/2025 16:53

Snap! We have done yes. Our bathroom is actually being fitted by someone we know.
Left keys with the kitchen people whilst we went away for a week. We do have a Ring doorbell so we could see comings and goings.
Been without an indoor tap for a week now. Get some bottled. We have an outdoor tap but strangely are front of our bungalow ( moved in 2 months ago)
I will be glad when it’s all done. I’m lucky as our daughter lives nearby. Been camping out there in the day with the dogs.
Trying to let it all wash over me and thinking it will all be worth it!
I’m distracting myself by buying new things for the kitchen and bathroom atm.
Toilet has been connected so far and will be one for overnight when he leaves tonight.

SpamhappyTootsie · 22/09/2025 16:54

We handed over our keys when we had a refurb quite a few years years ago, but we stored anything valuable at a relative’s (more for the dust and needing to move furniture around than anything else). More recent bathroom fitting was ok. Trusted the bathroom fitter and his team, we always had a working toilet in place overnight, but of course restricted during the day.
Bathroom and kitchen at the same time…..I would probably move out if at all possible but tbh the first few days weren’t the worst bit, that’s just ripping out and prep.

SweetPenelope · 22/09/2025 16:55

What are you worried about? Are workmen's poos more smelly than yours, or something?

This (shock, horror) tradesmen using toilets issue comes up a lot on MN. It's weird.

SpamhappyTootsie · 22/09/2025 16:59

SweetPenelope · 22/09/2025 16:55

What are you worried about? Are workmen's poos more smelly than yours, or something?

This (shock, horror) tradesmen using toilets issue comes up a lot on MN. It's weird.

It’s more that the toilet will be taken out in the refit, isn’t it? So no poos by anyone, fragrant or not so fragrant.

MaybeIf · 22/09/2025 17:03

Well, you need a loo, surely? What did the tradesmen suggest? I’ve had builders in since July and they’ll be there till late November at earliest. I’ve found it best to be at home, not because I don’t trust them (they’re great — one of them picked apples from a tree I couldn’t reach on his lunch break and they’ve also cut my hedges) but because queries come up that are best dealt with in oerson.

TheChoiceWithinDestiny · 22/09/2025 17:07

i had similar concerns as we have a council house and were due to have works done. I requested they get a portaloo as I wasn’t prepared to have anyone except family use the toilet in the house due to a member of the household with severe IBD and immune issues. We had to submit medical proof or they wouldn’t fund it.

onestepinfrontoftheother · 22/09/2025 17:12

I get stressed and anxious when work is done in my house. If I stay around I feel like a loose part but if I make myself scarce, then inevitably decisions are made that wouldn' have been how I would like it. If you won't have access to a toilet/bathroom then I think you will definitely need to stay somewhere else. Sometimes I trust them with the keys and sometimes I don't. Go with your gut. Is there the option to be there to let them in every day and lock up at the end of the day?

Northernladdette · 22/09/2025 17:15

Probably not a god idea to have them
both done at the same time 🙂

WannaFOffOnHoliday · 22/09/2025 17:22

You will have to get a port a loo i presume for the builders anyway?

Original poster

Moonsun21 · 22/09/2025 17:22

I have no problem with tradesmen using the toilet. The problem is more that there won't be a toilet to use during the day, and presumably we'll be without a shower for at least several days. The water will presumably be turned off quite a lot as well. But i don't like having strangers in the house, just makes me really anxious.

OP posts:

Original poster

Moonsun21 · 22/09/2025 17:24

WannaFOffOnHoliday · 22/09/2025 17:22

You will have to get a port a loo i presume for the builders anyway?

I don't know. They haven't mentioned it.

OP posts:

Summerhillsquare · 22/09/2025 17:29

Get a membership to your nearest gym that has showers. They won't completely disconnect the toilet!

Wingingit73 · 22/09/2025 17:31

You absolutely should book in to s hotel or travelodge.. you can still oversea things. You can't function without a bathroom.

OnTheBoardwalk · 22/09/2025 17:35

Good luck having both done at the same time

They should leave you with a working toilet over night but check before they go. I went to look as they were clearing up one night, I flushed the toilet and it all came flooding through the bathroom floor. Luckily they were still in van!

if having a bath with shower overhead be prepared to be many many days of not using it due to them having to fill the bath with water and leaving it 24 hours at a time

OnTheBoardwalk · 22/09/2025 17:37

The first few days of them taking the rooms back to brick are the worse. If you can I’d book yourself in a hotel or stay at friends for these days

gmgnts · 22/09/2025 17:43

I think you need to take control of the portaloo issue. Ask the tradesmen if one has been ordered as part of the contract, and if not, consider ordering (and paying for) one yourself. Indeed, check whether you have a contract and if so, check what has been agreed. If you don't have a contract, or some sort of written offer of what is being done, make sure you get one asap. Otherwise, you have no comeback if things don't go right.

Lennonjingles · 22/09/2025 17:43

DH is a retired bathroom installer, he would absolutely loved it if you went away for a few days, then he wouldn’t have to clear up everyday and be under pressure to not leave you without a toilet, unless you have another. It’s also quicker if there’s no clearing of tools. I was surprised by how many of his clients went away and left keys with him and where we live you are talking over £1 million houses. Firstly check with the installer if you are going to have a working toilet each day, if not you may want to consider a hotel.

LakieLady · 22/09/2025 17:44

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 22/09/2025 16:48

What's the plan without the toilet? Back garden and a shovel? If that's the plan I vote hotel.

When I had my bathroom done, my plumber made sure the bog was removed and refitted in half a day, so I wasn't left with nothing to go on for long. He also removed and replaced the bath in a day, so I didn't have to resort to a strip wash.

He is an exceptionally lovely plumber though, and despite having only had his own business for 10 years, he's so busy he hasn't taken on new customers for a few years now.

24Dogcuddler · 22/09/2025 17:51

@Moonsun21 If you do stay at home order some shampoo caps ( used for festivals and bed bound people) and large cleansing wipes. Either that or look for a relative or good friend nearby with a shower you can access.
Hope it all goes well. As some PPs have said maybe not great to have both done together. We’d expected the kitchen to be further on by now.
On the plus side we just needed one big skip for both and by the end of the week should be able to clean up etc.

Namechangetry · 22/09/2025 18:02

I'm with you OP. I'm an introvert and have anxiety, I absolutely hate having workmen in my house. If I didn't have pets I'd have moved out!

PurpleThistle7 · 22/09/2025 18:04

I think I’d stay somewhere for the couple days the bathroom is out of commission and then come
back for the kitchen bit which probably takes longer. Can you just stay with a friend for a couple days?

Flip

1 2 3