Among Friends

[magicmoodz]

I just had a flooring project done. There were 3 installers here for an entire day. 

I had water, soft drinks and a box of donuts for them in the morning.  Later in the day I served lunch. They were sincerely  appreciative.

Our condo has bathrooms/changing rooms/showers on the first floor near the entrance to the pool. I thought about directing them to use this restroom for their own comfort, but did not. They were free to use our bathroom. 

A qualifier, however, is the fact that I trusted the owner of the flooring company we purchased from implicitly and she assured me she was sending a great crew to do the work. She arrived before they did that morning and their boss showed up at the end of the day. Again, the next morning the owner we purchased from came to make sure we were happy! 

[lgfan]

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@Desert Lily wrote:

I lived in a large suburb on the West coast. My next door neighbor was having a patio put in. He went out to see how it was going, and a worker was urinating on the side of his house. 

Would you want that guy in your house?

Another neighbor was having his outside house trim painted. He left his garage door open so the painters would have shade if needed. When he went out to check on the trim progress, one of the painters was stealing the tools the neighbor kept in his garage.

Would you want that guy in your house?

When I was having a house worked on, the general contractor did not allow any of the workers to use the homeowner's bathroom or even ask to use it. The supervisor pre-directed the workers to use a restroom at a nearby fast food place. Using a homeowner's bathroom is not done by workers anymore.

It is more than rude for any worker to ask to use a homeowner's bathroom; in today's real world, it is inappropriate for the worker to ask.

I would never allow any worker to use my bathroom. It could be a foolish decision to allow the bathroom use for many reasons. I would worry much more about having common sense than I would about appearing polite.

I do offer bottles of cold water to outside workers, but they almost always have coolers with drinks & food in their vehicles. They arrive prepared and they should know the rule about not using homeowners' bathrooms.

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Why would you want people like that working on your house.  Just because a few people misbehave doesn't mean that everyone will be that way.  I tutored children in people's houses for years.  Despite taking precautions to avoid needing to use a bathroom during that time sometimes nature called and it could not be avoided.  Luckily I had gracious people who allowed me to use their bathrooms.  I left the bathrooms as I found them.  You couldn't tell they were used.  If someone would have told me to go to the local service station or fast food restaurant to use a bathroom that would have been the last time I would go to that house.

[shoekitty]

i have a downstairs bath, with entry from side yard.  I always leave unlocked for workmen , always.  when I had backyard landscaped, it was big project with pond, etc..they brought portipotty. I hated that. But there were 8 workmen everyday, minimum 4 on some days. Luckily my bathroom downstairs is half bath and has door that closes to my laundry.  Then laundry room closes to my family room. I can keep the one door locked.  
usually, they pee in yard sometimes, or just leave and go to McDonald's or similar.  Time off the job. when I get good workmen, I leave snacks, open restroom, and treat them good. So glad to have them!!! I am picky, picky, with work, so sorta makes up for my pickiness, lol!

[shoekitty]

last worker who asked to use restroom,came from a city 2 hrs away. No way woukd I refuse.  But every workman I have ever had I know the company, or it is accredited, or Diamond backed

[persiflage]

I would go over any necessary details with the person upon arrival and then go back in my house and not be available for the inquiry.

My way is that the trades working on exterior projects don't cross the threshold of our home, the people in those trades figured out a long time ago how to get through their work day.

The companies we use have a person bid the job, we agree and have a contract in place, when the crew arrives to do the work they notify you they have arrived to do the job and sometimes they let you know when they are leaving.  Any questions about the scope of work would be addressed at the beginning and then there is nothing else to discuss.

There have been big jobs during hot weather when I have put beverages out and offered our patio for a rest but nothing where I am acting as a hostess.  They are having me pay them to do a task as pros in their field, I treat them with respect, it is a business arrangement not a visit with a friend. 

[GingerHead]

@patticakes I agree with others who say to do what you feel comfortable with. 

Outside workers have never used the bathroom at our house. I just assume they tinkle outside behind a tree or use a bottle or something. I don't know. haha

[GingerHead]

Also, I think I would feel nervous being home alone if a worker man (not a woman) came in to use the bathroom.

If it were an emergency I would personally let him use the powder room but I'd wait in an area where I could make a quick escape or pack some heat in my pocket (legal disclaimer, I'm not advising anyone to do as I do, just saying what I may or may not do)

if things got squirrely.....never can be too safe.

But really, I do think you should do what you're comfortable with.

[BExplorer]

I am the head of a local criminal justice agency. The OP is being smart. Some people want to access a bathroom to go through the medicine cabinet/ drawers and steal prescription medication. People also do this at open houses when a home is for sale.

[AuntG]

Of course anyone I hire to do work would have access to our bathroom. It's happened, but not frequently. I also let workers know there are water bottles in our garage refrigerator, and they are free to help themselves.

The person who said her bathroom is not for public viewing must be one awful housekeeper. Any person who asks to use your bathroom has an immediate need, and isn't there to post pictures in House Beautiful! @Kachina624 

[withaK]

whenever we have anyone working in or around our home we offer a bathroom for them to use.