Building works during lockdown

Hannimal

I have several things booked in terms of making my new house liveable and I am due to have a lodger move in in the new year. I am also going away next month, so I feel very pressured to get the work done. If and when the lockdown starts, do we know how this will affect building work? I am needing a new bathroom installed, floor boards installed and decorating throughout with plastering and painting. All these have been booked for next month. 

hopperdennis

Who can say, but I have a feeling trades and construction will be less restricted in this lockdown. 

neilmcl

Even in the last lockdown you could get works done at your home.

Doozergirl

We weren't actually restricted last time, but it was decided somewhere that all the builders merchants were non-essential and shut down on us anyway.   

We were left with one 'hardware store' which was the local independent builders merchant serving from a table at the door, and a lot of phone calls to internet based companies.    We couldn't do much at all.  

I think it might be better if it happens again, but it won't
be easy.  

Hannimal

I spoke with my builder today and he said they would try to do everything and that they were ordering all materials ahead just now because last lockdown they tried to work but all suppliers closed down

ka7e

It's not just the fact that the builder's merchants shut down - all their suppliers, manufacturers and haulage close too. Some materials have very long lead times as they are still playing catch-up from the last lock-down. It's compounded by the disruption to international freight which means imported components are only trickling through. Plaster, plasterboard, roof tiles and timber have been in short supply. I recently spoke to a flooring company that said their manufacturer's only went back into production in Sept and their fitters are unable to complete about 50% of their bookings due to non-delivery of orders for carpet, LVT and vinyl and related accessories.

Hannimal

I am having new floors fitted. I have all the materials and so on but the fitter echoed exactly that, a lot of jobs where materials aren't being delivered on time are  being delayed.