When it comes to home renovations, it’s often the little things that spark the biggest debates. A recent Reddit post highlighted one such dispute, where a husband and wife found themselves at odds over whether to let contractors use their bathroom while they’re at work. The husband turned to the internet, seeking advice from strangers.
The dilemma was posted to Reddit.
The husband’s dilemma quickly caught the attention of Reddit users, with one commenter providing a practical perspective: “Usually for my company this is all cleared up at the quoting stage of a job. If the clients don’t want to provide use of their facilities then fair enough, but they will pay for us to hire in a portaloo for the duration of the job.”
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There was some consensus here.
Others were quick to agree, with another user chiming in, “Contractor should provide a porta loo for their employees. Should have been asked at the time of quote. Then would have not been a worry. Could just call them to ask.”
It seems that the issue might have been avoided with a bit of pre-planning.
Tradies chime in to offer some advice.
Tradespeople themselves had their say too. One self-identified “Tradie” shared, “I’m a Tradie but work inside and outside, so I always ask before taking a [expletive]. I’ve trained myself to [expletive] before I go to work. I’m just one of those that can’t [expletive] in another toilet unless it’s at home.”
Clearly, bathroom habits can be a serious matter on the job!
Here’s some food for thought.
For some, it was about more than just the bathroom. “In my current role as a meter reader, my body quickly learned that there was no access to toilets and now clears the pipes before I leave for work,” shared one commenter.
The general consensus? Adaptation is key, and maybe a portable toilet wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.
And some helpful advice for homeowners.
In a show of solidarity for tradespeople, one commenter offered this advice to homeowners: “Always offer your tradesmen a tea and coffee […] it’s the gesture and always let them know they can use the bathroom. We’re working hard for you, the least you can do is give us some common decency.”
A few tips for tradespeople.
On the flip side, advice for the tradespeople came through loud and clear: “The general rule I’ve found most tradies go by is unless the client offers you the bathroom, you don’t generally ask. Just [expletive] on the garden and if you need to [expletive] you hold it or head off […].”
It seems there’s an unwritten code when it comes to bathroom use.
Why hasn’t this issue been addressed yet, though?
Some Reddit users couldn’t help but wonder why the couple hadn’t already solved the issue: “Is there a reason why you haven’t arranged a portable toilet for the site? Two weeks is a long time to expect tradies to go elsewhere for a toilet break. Just get a portable toilet!!”
Practicality, it seems, is key.
Here’s a nice thing you can do.
One particularly empathetic user summed up the situation with a gentle nudge: “The builder may not care about their workers’ basic human rights, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t (not having a go). Your options are simple: 1. Give them access. 2. Get a portaloo. 3. Pay the time to go to the public toilets.”
In the end, it’s all about compromise.
Let’s consider both perspectives.
While the husband sought clarity on Reddit, it’s clear the debate will continue in homes across the globe. Whether it’s about respecting tradespeople’s needs or maintaining personal privacy, finding a middle ground seems to be the key.
After all, in the world of home renovations, everyone just wants to keep things running smoothly—even when it comes to bathroom breaks.
