Builder and back door - who is BU?

[CollieFIower]

There's a builder working on a room in downstairs of the house. It's a hot day. The house is old and has thick stone walls so stays quite cool in summer.

The builder wants to prop the back door open as he is coming in and out every few minutes with wheelbarrows/tools/buckets etc.

Person A wants the builder to open and shut the door behind him every time he needs to go in or out to keep the house cool. This is not without merit, as the house does stay a bit cooler with the door shut.

Person B thinks the builder should be allowed to leave the door open because it makes his work much easier and if he is doing manual labour on a day like this then his clients should be doing everything they can to make his work easier, including putting up with the house being a bit warmer than it would be otherwise.

Who is BU?

A is being very unreasonable. Apart from the comfort of the tradesman, the door is going to be opened and closed goodness knows how many times in a day. I've always told tradesmen to do whatever makes them comfortable when working, not stripping off obv. But doors/windows open or whatever.

I'm sure the cat could be shut in a room safely.

I'm using the purposes of an imaginary cat as just one example. Yes, maybe it could be put in a room but maybe it couldn't.

There are lots of reasons why someone may not want a door left open for most of a day. It's not a wild request. They are paying him for his services. Surely he didn't cost the job on the basis of "I'll leave the door open, so it'll be 40% easier to do my job, so I'll quote £x instead of £y"

At my work, my job would be a lot easier if people sent me fewer emails and I didn't have to walk between departments for meetings...but that's my job...and that's what I'm paid to do.

A

Sure, all hypothetical ones you've just made up. In this actual situation though the only reason Person A wants the builder to keep closing the door is so the house will be a bit cooler. Awful selfish reason to make the Builders job more difficult doing manual work on a very very hot day!

Person A. Not only is having to open the door a PITA, but will make the job take longer. Propping the door will also allow a breeze if you crack open a window at the front.

BINBU (B is not being unreasonable)

Well if that’s how they want it person A can very well just bend over backwards and open their back door to the builder can’t they!
I expect once they’ve been in and out a few times dropping off big loads they will get tired.

A is VU

Today's biggest internet surprise is that Person A is a man of a certain age.😂

The builders has given a price based on the time it will take to complete the job. Your father‘s made an unrealistic extra demand. I think that could add 15 to 20% time to the job. Would he be willing to pay that?

LOL NO of course he wouldn't 🤣

He is just very set in his ways. And incapable of flexing, or tolerating changes to routine...

Here’s an AI response for you Op
😁

The homeowners have the final say. As the property owners, you retain complete authority over your home. If you want a door closed for privacy, security, or to contain dust, the builder must comply, as their access is conditional on your consent and the terms of your contract. 1, 2]

While the homeowner makes the ultimate rule, builders often have valid practical reasons for requesting open doors:

Airflow and ventilation: When using power tools, paints, adhesives, or plaster, building regulations often require adequate ventilation for safety.

Cordoning off zones: Keeping specific doors open allows them to isolate active, hazardous work areas from the rest of the house.

Cable routing: Open doors provide a safe path for extension leads, dust extraction hoses, or water pipes without the risk of the cables being pinched or damaged. 1]
How to Move Forward

Understand the Risk: If the door is left open, it is your property. However, if a builder leaves a door open and someone is injured, or if your home is burgled because the door was insecure, liability can be complicated.

Consult Your Contract: Review your agreement or Construction Phase Plan to see if access rules and site boundaries were specifically outlined.

Establish a Compromise: If ventilation or cable routing is the issue, ask the builder to use Temporary Door Screens that allow air to pass through while keeping the room physically sealed, or ask them to secure the house completely when they leave for the day. 1, 2, 3, 4]
If the builder is entirely unreasonable, you can use the Citizens Advice or Trading Standards services for guidance on how to manage disputes and enforce proper conduct on your property

A is unreasonable

My mistake, though the point still stands. Do we need to run over backwards to make someone's job easier in every respect at our own inconvenience - not necessarily. Should we make reasonable concessions, such as the door, when it's obvious it benefits the person doing the task and the length of time taken to do it then absolutely yes.

A is being unreasonable