Building work - one builder smoke while working

[PlantTree]

We have builders working in our soon-to-be family flat and we moved out of it as we have a 2 year old. Works are due to finish in 5/6 weeks or so, they will start to apply finish materials and decorating in 1/2 weeks. I went twice so far (since they closed the loft conversion) to check on the progress and on both occasions I caught one of the more senior builders smoking inside the flat (while working). The windows are not always open and the flat is unfurnished and will be repainted at the end.

Am I being unreasonable if I ask for this builder to be removed from the project? My concern is that the wooden floor and other finished materials (kitchen cabinets, plaster/ paint) might absorb the smoke. This guy seems to smoke while working and this is why I don’t believe he will stop, the only solution seems to have him removed. But I do not want to be overly unfriendly either, perhaps the smoke absorption is not a super big deal?

Just ask him not to smoke in your flat.

That's disgusting! Smoking stinks and will absolutely cling to your property!! I'd make an official complaint!

This is not a big deal. It will make no difference at all to your property once finished. You might have neighbours who smoke, and not just cigarettes either. What then?

Her neighbours are not inside her flat, being paid by her.

Just tell him you don't want smoking in your flat. It does get absorbed by porous surfaces.

I’d ask him not to smoke inside.
I’d also ask him not to toss his fag ends irresponsibly elsewhere.

I have done this with trades in the past & they understood my concerns and complied. I also told them no loud radios!

Maybe speak to his manager? It’s a bit harsh to expect him to be taken off the job.

Ask him to smoke outside. I had this when my house was being renovated, and the smoker apologised and complied.

why would you go straight for the jugular and not say that no smoking

not a good sign re the company and on site boss that he’s allowing this

are you a smoker?

Bit late now, but a good idea to say this before a job begins that there is no smoking inside. I wouldn't expect any decent firm of builders to do this though, but can't you just say it?

Uh I smoke (outside only!) and I’d absolutely hate this. I would absolutely ask him to stop and mention it to whoever is managing them.

What on earth have her neighbours smoking got to do with someone smoking in her flat?!

Sorry just to add. As soon as they closed the loft and finish materials start to arrive, I told the head contractor to ask his builders to stop smoking inside and can smoke outside. On the occasions that I caught this builder, I told him he shouldnt smoke inside and reported to the head contractor and he told me sorry he has told him many many times.. and will tell him again. I guess, if the contractor has told him many times and he still doesnt stop (seems to take adventure that we dont live in the property).. that is why we dont trust he will stop…

i’d be bloody concerned about the lack of respect this guy seems to have to the head contractor and what what might reveal more broadly

you mean to say

you explicitly asked this smoker not to smoke in your home, more than once and
he ignores and continues to do so?

Really not a big deal

It is a big deal and it's illegal (assuming you're in the UK).

This is from the gov.uk website:

Smoking at work: the law
Smoking isn’t allowed in any enclosed workplace, public building or on public transport in the UK.
Penalty for smoking in the workplace
Workers can be fined up to £200, or up to £50 in Scotland.

He's had enough chances and he's not only disrespecting your property but he's disrespecting the boundaries you put in place regarding smoking. I'd tell the head contractor that you're sick of catching him smoking when he's been told not to and you want him off the job. Hopefully that'll be enough of a kick up the arse to make him take you seriously.