Bathroom for patio crew?

[marclovesme]

My husband and I are getting quotes to replace a paver pathway and create a patio.  Estimate is that it will take 4 days start to finish.

It just occurred to me, do we leave our house open for the crew to use the bathroom?  DH and I work full time and more than likely we'd be gone when the crew comes in and they'd take off before we're back.

There's a few places nearby they could use - park restroom down the street (0.15 mile), Dunkin Donuts a bit further (0.35 mile) and a few restaurants and stores about a half mile out.  On the one hand I see no problem with them using our bathroom, except that we're not at home...

What would you do?

[SusanBAnthony]

If I was at home, I would let them use it. Probably not if I wasn't at home. I think they will take a morning and afternoon break, plus lunch, and just walk down the street.

[candreco]

When we had a deck put on our old house, the crew never even asked, though one of us was generally home while they were working. I assume they used the restroom when they left for lunch or breaks.

[candreco]

When we had a deck put on our old house, the crew never even asked, though one of us was generally home while they were working. I assume they used the restroom when they left for lunch or breaks.

[jhawks482]

May 3, 2013 22:00:14 GMT -5 candreco said:

When we had a deck put on our old house, the crew never even asked, though one of us was generally home while they were working. I assume they used the restroom when they left for lunch or breaks.

This. I think most workers like that are used to not having access to bathrooms. When we did our patio, it took several days and no one asked (and actually only one out of 4 guys spoke English). I bet it won't be an issue for you.

[emjacobs]

Why would you let people that you do not know in the least have access to your home, especially when you are not there? These are people that are used to working outside at random locations, they are used to having to find a bathroom.

[heygrey]

they are used to not having a bathroom so don't worry about it. if they have a huge job, they rent a potta potty. if not, they are used to traveling a bit for a restroom. not your problem.

[marclovesme]

Thanks all! Many valid points made above.

[prazenjc]

if they bring it up and are bonded, then i don't see a problem with letting them use it while you are gone. but, i wouldn't introduce the subject since you have other alternatives available within a reasonable distance.

[Deleted]

I let workers use my bathroom whether they're here for the house or barn. I'm in and out/not around so much that I'd never get anything done if I monitored them all day.
However, I live in a place where I "know" all my contractors, where they live, who their kids are etc. I have no issues with it. Also, I have nothing to steal. If he wants to run off with my prized jewels (From Herberger's yo!) and my 5 year old laptop that the only private info on it is my nest password, he's welcome to it. I could use the upgrade! Ha!

However, since you don't "know" these people and your instinct says no, I wouldn't let them either. You have viable alternative options and I'm sure they're used to it.

I live 10 miles out in the sticks and then some. There are no options..unless you count the bushes.

[TBM]

After letting the patio guys(who were friends), the landscapers and the movers and packers use the bathroom at our old house for several days, my answer would be no. It smelled awful in there. Blech.

That said, I have let the few contractors we have inside the new house use the bathroom, but they have been few and far between.

[vic1011]

My husband feels the need to let anyone working on our house use the bathroom. When the tile guy was here doing the floors in the big house, he came in to use the bathroom. I ran in not long after he came out with an "omg baby on my bladder I gotta PEE" and found that he had dripped on my toilet seat. NEVER again will a contractor use my bathroom. I did the potty dance while my husband cleaned up his drips.

[treedimensional]

I've worked outside client's homes for extended periods with a landscape crew, and we never go inside. It's just not done. Most of the time, the client isn't home.
My crew breaks for lunch, that's when they go. They don't track up the house and they don't ask.

[willrun4wine]

May 3, 2013 21:22:01 GMT -5 marclovesme said:

My husband and I are getting quotes to replace a paver pathway and create a patio.  Estimate is that it will take 4 days start to finish.

It just occurred to me, do we leave our house open for the crew to use the bathroom?  DH and I work full time and more than likely we'd be gone when the crew comes in and they'd take off before we're back.

There's a few places nearby they could use - park restroom down the street (0.15 mile), Dunkin Donuts a bit further (0.35 mile) and a few restaurants and stores about a half mile out.  On the one hand I see no problem with them using our bathroom, except that we're not at home...

What would you do?

We left our door open for them when we had ours done and told them to feel free to use the bathroom. The owner told me that they wouldn't do that though. We don't have anything too valuable in our house so I wasn't too worried. I don't know if they ever used it or came inside. I think we left water, coffee and donuts for them also, I can't remember. That might have been the painters, lol.