Renovations and Covid

[minipilling]

After a while of saving money, we are finally able to renovate our craphole of a bathroom (dated, grimy, moldy, utterly botched DIY) since moving in two years ago. We're at the stage where we have a month to go until work is meant to start. It's a full rip-out and re-do, with a plumber, electrician and tiler. Will take a week at least (though it's a tiny bathroom). We now have almost all the components, tiles, fixtures, stacked in the living room

Obviously Covid is happening. We are in a medium risk area (just outside a city with two large universities and increasing positive cases, many local schools affected), probably on the brink of high risk. I'm firstly concerned about tradesmen being banned from visiting houses, which would be a real arse because honestly the bathroom is a mess. Is anyone else planning renovations and anxious about new restrictions?

I'm also worried about the risk if they can come, but I'm prepping to be as cautious as possible - masks worn, distance kept, etc. As far as I'm aware they'll bring their own food and flasks which saves me making endless cups of tea. Is anyone currently dealing with tradesmen and can share any tips for preventing virus transmission? I'm sure the tradesmen will have their own procedures to follow because the last thing they want is to get stuck self isolating.

We've got an active Renovation thread going so yes there are people doing it right now.

I'm renovating an empty house and not living in it yet, so it's a bit better from risk point of view. Tradesmen are quite busy at the moment because with not much to do and nowhere to go on holiday, lots of people are doing home improvements. Do you already have builders in mind and have checked their availability?

I'd go for it, a week isn't a long time as far as renovations go and you wouldn't be breaking any rules if you follow standard safety procedures (masks etc). Plus, you can only have a bathroom in a living room for so long without it doing things to your head

Thanks for the thread link! Yes, we have our plumber and his crew all booked in and briefed since a few months ago, we were in touch with them last week and they want to send the electrician and tiler over to take a look at what needs doing. They seemed to think it will go ahead barring any illness etc, plus they are waiting on suppliers for some things. I'd hate for it to be postponed. We wouldn't be under their feet anyway, we'll be in the house to periodically check progress but otherwise we'll keep out of the way!