AIBU re this odd request from neighbours?

[yorkshapudding]

Our NDN's came over to tell us that they are having some work done in their back garden starting tomorrow- having a fence built, some trees cut down, rubbish cleared etc. They estimate it will be about two full days work, possibly more. They then told us that they were going away and would not be back until after the job has finished. They explained that they don't want to leave the workmen a key for "security reasons" so this means they will have no power source to plug tools in, no access to a bathroom or kettle etc. so would we be in and if so would we mind 'helping out' with those things.

I explained that DH will be at work and while I am actually off work for the next couple of days, I will have various errands, things to do, want to take DC out etc. so will be in and out of the house. They then asked when I was planning on going out so they could let their workmen know and saying "oh don't worry, they'll work around you". I told them that I hadn't made firm plans and didn't know when I would be going out. To be honest I don't really want to be tied to a schedule and I also don't like the idea of three strange men traipsing around my house for two days. I told them that I was sorry but they needed to either provide them with a key or arrange for the work to be done at a time when they would be home as we couldn't be on hand for two days to provide cups of tea, electricity and access to bathroom facilities etc.

Although they were polite, I got the distinct feeling that NDN's thought I was being mean and not very neighbourly.

AIBU or is it a bit much to expect me to accommodate all this? Initially I thought they were being cheeky (they don't want to leave these men a key but I should just open my house up to them!) and that it was a bit of a strange request but due to their reaction (they seemed quite surprised that I said no) I'm now doubting myself. They are generally quite annoying neighbours, nothing too awful just a bit noisy and inconsiderate at times, so I don't trust myself to be objective!

Unless the NDN have cancelled the builders, I would definitely expect them to rock up tomorrow am. They can wee in the garden and bring a flask, but how will they use their power tools without access to power?

Oh and OP - your NDN are astonishingly ridiculous. Do not give their "dilemma" another second of your concern. Unbelievable.

[Grin] Love the image of the builders turning up tomorrow and weeping into the bushes because you won't let them in!

Your neighbours make ours seem positively neighbourly.

I really do feel bad for the builders if that's the case. I'd be so pissed off if I turned up to do a job and couldn't do it because there was no power, no facilities etc. Presumably they'll just have to leave and come back another time, which means they'll be losing money as they could have booked another job in....I know, I know, none of this is my fault so I mustn't cave in..

"Not my circus, not my monkeys", my new mantra thanks to MN Must repeat to self over and over I don't end up spending the next two days trapped in the house, making endless cups of tea and cleaning strange men's skiddies off my loo!

This is going to be amazing. OP let us know what happens tomorrow!

Cheeky things. Yanbu. If you have workmen, you have to be there.

Please op keep us informed. (Regrets having to work tomorrow)

Not my circus, not my weeping monkeys, not my bicycles

Seriously, if you cave, this will happen over and over again.

YANBU. Why would you book work then bugger off leaving neighbours to endure the mess/noise ! What on earth were they thinking? Their workmen their problem OP. Imagine if you had said yes as well, you would be their mug for anything they didnt fancy going forward!!

I'd be out. All day.
But if I was in I would NOT be answering the door.

Cheeky buggers. Marking my place for an update in the morning.

when we had builders in, I equipped them with a kettle and mugs to use in the utility room, so they did not have to come into the main house, and i think between all of them in 3 months they only asked to use the loo twice (so they either had iron bladders or were kindly watering the garden for us)
is there not a shed or garage the neighbours have leccy in, if they dont wnat to leave them access to the house (which i understand, but then why agree to the work being done while they are away?)

YASonotBU. Dying to know what happens tomorrow now

Phantom, they have shed but it looks ancient and like it's falling to bits so doubt it's got leccy. No garage. They do have a utility room and downstairs loo right by the back door though so it's not like they'd need to be wandering all over the house or anything.

Errrr, don't builders nowadays have generators?
They can pee in the NDNs' garden and organise their own tea and biscuits.
The only difficulty I can see is the water supply. Tell NDN to rig up the garden hosepipe before they leave.
Problem solved.
(Maybe not getting into the spectator side of this...)

I know I'm going to regret asking, but what is "leccy"?

Electricity!

electricity

Just short for electric, Annie.

Sgtmajor, no idea whether builders carry generators or not, never really thought about it. If so then hopefully that'll be the end of it.

Sgtmajormummy, I had a lot of work done last autumn including a new roof & no, IME they don't have generators.

I suppose, if they're working somewhere remote where they actually need one they can get hold of one, but on routine domestic jobs they use the householder's leccy

Slang for electricity.

Its the very fact that they've booked this work while away to be away from the unpleasantness of having it done.

So there you are, left with the extremely noisey work going on, wiping these men's shit streaks off your toilet, hoovering the mud they've trapsed through your house and making them cups of tea.

Don't feel bad about the builders. It's absolutely not your problem. If they take to weeping in the bushes, just let them get on with it.

Ah bambs I did a proper mutley at that, bravo

I agree with a PP. there was a chance to make some serious coin there.. Don't answer your door tomorrow as they've probably already made the arrangements and actually asking was an afterthought.