Plastering & Rendering

Why don't builders clean up?

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.39 PM

Hi I'm in the middle of a small extension project and experiencing again the absolute disregard for protocols when it comes to working in a home. Previously I've been a gardener and always cleaned all tools, tidied up and put rubbish where it was meant to go at the end of every day. Takes 20 mins. I didn't need any training or anyone asking for me to do this. I see the builder's mates lounging around, bored, sugared out on tea and biscuits, dropping their litter where they stand which over a number of hours flies into the neighbours' properties and down the road. And they are only copying the 'gaffer'. Isn't one of their main tasks to keep the site and house clean? Then there is the indoor drilling and all the other works with no attempt at using dust covers or making the house basically habitable at the end of the day, and defensiveness and indignation if I ask for this to be done. This is cultural - its old school whereby hoovering is seen as a task not suited to them and therefore it's OK to go traipsing dirt through the house. Building is a hugely complicated and skilled job, and many clever builders are in the trade having had a rough and unfair time at school. Cleaning up is one of the easier tasks. So why isn't it done? Finally, I'm sure many women would agree that a builder who cleans as he goes along is eminently attractive.... Thanks very much for your responses - great to hear of your work ethics and I have had a wonderful builder too. I was generalising, but it has been my general experience to date and I am not particularly houseproud. Just thought this could be something for the trade community as a whole to run a campaign on....