Are people still having building work done?

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

My neighbours are - two workmen there at the minute. And one of their vans is parked over my drive - am raging. Don't particularly want to approach them to ask them to move. Need to go to the supermarket at lunchtime. Sometimes I feel like nothing has changed for some people.

[LizzieMacQueen]

I'm was also thinking about this, we have blocked drains which need looked at and (if they come) we can easily implement the 2m rule.

Businesses need income, drains need unblocking - kitchen drain not toilet in case anyone accuses me of flushing kitchen paper down the loo!

[LuckyAmy1986]

We have a problem with our roof, water leaking into my son's bedroom and into the ceiling of the landing upstairs. Work done on Saturday, being finished today. Yes we are getting it done, it's urgent.

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

There's a slight difference between getting urgent work done as above, and getting a bloody patio laid which is what my neighbours are doing!

[LuluBellaBlue]

Why does it effect you other than parking over your drive which isn’t a corona virus related issue?
If they are staying 2 meters apart between client and builders don’t see a problem

[MummyofTw0]

How do you propose the builders pay their bills?

[cansu]

I think the firms concerned who are working outside need to make that call. We are being told to go to work if we can. Those with office-based jobs who can wfh are being asked to do that. Those with jobs in hospitality etc are home as the business is closed. I am not sure I have seen it said anywhere that other firms should go home too yet.

[GoldBoo]

Parking over your driver is obviously unreasonable. But if they’re maintaining social distancing they’re not doing anything wrong at the moment.

Having a patio laid is actually quite important to some people - my Dad has just come out of hospital and my mum had a patio laid a couple of weeks ago in preparation for this, as he would be housebound and unable to get out in the garden otherwise. Or perhaps they’re just trying to make the garden more usable for themselves/their children as they’re likely to be spending more time in it now.

I’d get them to move the van, but I couldn’t get worked up about anything else personally.

[LuckyAmy1986]

@chocolatesaltyballs22 ok, but you asked and I answered.

[jellybean85]

Yes. We had a roof repair booked and even though the weather is great we've still honoured the booking. They will need the cash and we need a none leaky roof. They posted an extension plug through the cat flap for us to plug in and there has been zero further interaction between us all 🤷🏻‍♀️

[MrsMGE]

You're annoyed about them parking on your drive or about the CV?

If 1 - if you need to go out, open the window and ask if they could move the van.

If 2 - what difference does it make to you if they're staying away from you and not touching your property? None.

[Robs20]

We are in the middle of building work. We currently have no working kitchen.....plumber/ electrician/ kitchen fitter are booked for next week, along with carpenter to build wardrobes. I think we will have to cancel it all as having so many people in/ out is not a good idea! Due twins in 3 weeks so will probably have to move in with my parents...again not ideal!

[Iamblossom]

My husband is a self employed builder. He is due to start someone's 2 month extension next week and is expecting a call any minute to say it won't be happening.

Even if they are careful with distancing and are outside for the bulk of it, he is worried Builder's Merchants will shut due to lack of business and then how does he get the materials he needs?

We are much more fortunate than others as I will still be paid but what about those who are the sole breadwinner?

So so worrying.

[crazydiamond222]

We are 2 months in to a 5 month extension. We are continuing atm as all work is external but will reassess at the knockthrough stage.

If we put it off we just don't know when it will restart, could be over a year so are pushing on. Plus the builders are keen as they are self employed and will not benefit from the government support if they don't work. We are without a kitchen sink atm as the plumbing had to be rerouted and don't really want to have to live without a sink for a year if we put the work off.

[Scbchl]

How do you propose the self employed tradesmen live on 94 quid a week the government is offering?

My husband is decorating an empty house that will be a rental property. Your damn right he is working. Do you know how terrifying the prospect of no work is and 94 quid a week when you have 3 children. Luckily my wages will be covered up to 80 percent but I only work part time. Why is laying a patio an issue? Its outside.

If the van is annoying you on your drive. You would of had more of a result in a quicker time, by going out and saying "excuse me, I'm heading out at 12 if you can move the van from my drive cheers". Than posting on here.

[MagentaRocks]

We are nearly at the end of our extension. Just the finishing touches. Builders have popped in today to say they are going round to their customers to make sure everyone has basic stuff done/water tight etc. Have told them we understand it might be months before it's finished. It can't be helped.

[OhMrDarcy]

We're having building work done soon, and will go ahead. Won't need much stuff from builders merchants as the majority is demolition and crushing work. Nothing is inside work and I'll get a portaloo set up for the builders.

It seems important to me to carry on with this whilst i can to support the local economy. I was told they'll only get £72 a week if they're laid off.

[InTheCludgie]

I'm debating getting someone in to do the gate at the bottom of the garden. It leads out to a lane and broke during a storm last year. Now the kids will be spending more time in the garden, I really want to get it fixed. We live in a mid terrace but the builders can access the garden via the next street instead of through the house.

[LittleTopic]

Yep, we’re having fitted wardrobes in two rooms. Workman is upstairs, DH is downstairs. He’s brought his own water and lunch and I’ll throw any towels he uses on a hot wash later. He’s a local tradesman and has had 6 weeks’ worth of work cancelled so he could use the money from this job.

They’re not parked over anyone’s drive though, how inconsiderate

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

It was a genuine question as I feel like everything is BAU near me and I wondered how others were approaching it. No need for some of you to get rude and arsey.

[RUOKHon]

We’re still having building work done. No choice really because we’ve got a gaping great hole at the back of our house and it can’t stay like that for the next three months.

The builders will be working on scaffolding outside. I won’t have to see them or have any contact with them really. And I presume they will be working according to their own safety protocols.

[bananapyjama]

I'd be tempted to get work done on the garden. That way the workmen are outside, I'm inside with little contact, they still get an income and I get another job ticked off the list.

I probably wouldn't have anything done inside though.

[PickAChew]

Well, the house opposite is having the fence that blew down in the storms replaced, house down the road having rotten window frames replaced and the renovation of another house nearby is ongoing.

So, yes.

[PicsInRed]

Someone next door was doing noisy DIY yesterday for hours. We're self isolating so couldn't "just go out" to avoid. It was maddening.

If we are genuinely locked down, there will need to be DIY and building noise restrictions or people will go totally mad.

[wonkylegs]

I'm an architect and we are assessing jobs on an individual basis
Outside jobs where distancing can be observed and adequate hand washing facilities exist are currently still going ahead
Internal ones some are being cancelled depending on the circumstances
We have a job for some frontline nhs workers who are at a high risk of catching an passing it on, the work isn't essential so we've put it on hold for now.
Very much trying to balance safety with keeping money flowing to pay wages
I have a project where it's all outside work being done mainly by a joiner in his own
Once I'm out of 14days of isolation I will be going to inspect the job one my own on a weekend when nobody else is there (usually client, contractor and workmen all together)
Another job their are a few guys on site but they are distributing jobs so they don't have to be in close contact. It's not as efficient as usual but it's still moving forward.
I'm having no physical contact with clients or contractors as I'm in vulnerable group but doing a lot more by phone, video conference, emails and photographs
It throws ups some contractural and legal issues so we are currently seeking clarification through our professional bodies and insurers and discussing it with clients.
It's really tough as we don't want to put anybody at risk but neither do we want them to have no income at all

[bogoblin]

We're having new decking as I type. This was arranged ages ago and the workmen are outside and have no need to come in. We would have agreed to suspend if they had asked to do so but if they're happy to work outside we're happy to let them do it.

It's not really necessary but I'm glad they're doing it so we've got somewhere nice to get some fresh air. I'm going to be home for the foreseeable future and then heavily pregnant this summer so... Like I say, we would understand if they hadn't wanted to come and do it

They're also not parked over anyone's drives either and being very considerate of our spoiled cat who has his own step up to his cat flap!