Shed installation precautions

[Drain Whisperer]

Hi, Ive had a garden shed on order for a couple of months to be supplied and installed in a month's time.
The supplier has just sent me the following.
It seems excessivley onerous (on me) but I'm not sure if this is normal and reasonable for these trades at this time. The installation is outdoors, obviously, but not visible from the house.
Any views welcomed.

"IMPORTANT – GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION

We have put in place strict measures to ensure the safety of our delivery teams and customers. We will be making our deliveries completely contactless by putting in place the following guidelines.
...
We are requesting all customers to stay in their homes when our teams arrive and during the build. Please ensure that children are also kept inside during the delivery.

All access to be clear and gates to be left open so there is no need for our teams to touch any gates or items that may be in their path.

If the building is going on a base area that is larger than the building, we request for this to be chalk marked before arrival.

If you feel the need to speak to our team, please use a first floor window.

Upon completion, you will not be asked to sign any paperwork. Our teams will liaise with our office when they are finished. We can then inform you to check over the building while our teams wait in the work vehicle.
...
Although these measures may seem simple, they are extremely important to us. They are in place for both the safety of you and our teams. If these rules are not adhered to, then we will be informing our teams to leave site even if the delivery is not complete. There would be no refunds or re-attends for such actions. Safety is paramount in the current situation".

 

[sxturbo]

Nothing really wrong with that, though they are a little ott.

If it's not visible from the house then in my view if you to be situated in a position far away from the build but with a view of it then it shouldn't be an issue.

The rules are likely written for the smallest gardens they deal with,

 

[CBW]

It might be that they’ve not updated their rules yet, or perhaps this is their way of working, we have some Covid working rules, and if people don’t adhere or want to adhere to them we have the option to walk off site. Personally I don’t see an issue with it. Let them crack on with it, any issues you can photograph and get them to resolve the same day or dispute it afterwards.

 

[HERTS P&D]

I think it is now being used to keep the customers out of the way.

Andy

 

[JohnD]

nothing to say your neighbours can't peer over the fence.

maybe you should pop round to visit your neighbors (outdoors, in the garden) while the shed is being erected.

 

[conny]

They are probably still working to their Covid practices that were drawn up last year.
Odds on that when they guys turn up they won't be bothered if you stand some distance away, (play safe and make it about 4-5 metres. In excess of current, or even previous, rules so they won't walk off site as it would never stand up in court). If they do raise objections simply walk away and go back indoors. When you are told to go and inspect the construction take your time and go over it very closely. If you try to report something at a later date they may not entertain your claim.

 

[big-all]

i suspect they are working on the principle that people get excited and forget or just dont think theres any danger
so iff you start ott there is less chance off danger and people can "forget " and get too close without having to remind them so much

 

[scbk]

Can't tell, is it a wind up or elf n safety gone mad

If you feel the need to speak to our team, please use a first floor window.

What if you live in bungalow? Do you have to climb on the roof?



Here's hoping the guys who turn up to to the job are in the real world, and will be queuing up to come in your house if tea and bacon rolls is on offer.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

All seems somewhat extreme/convenient in their favour, on the other hand, with lockdown No. 3 around the corner it's probably the last thing they need to have one or more of their fitters to go off sick with Covid for a couple of weeks. You'll have to hope some common sense prevails ......

 

[Drain Whisperer]

Thank you for your comments everybody, I'll post an update on how the installation goes next week.
Another quirky thing, they invoiced by email last Tuesday, then left a phone message the next day to say if they had not received the money by the end of that day the order would have to be postponed.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Jeez they sure score well in the charm/customer service departments!

 

[Jowwy]

Thank you for your comments everybody, I'll post an update on how the installation goes next week.
Another quirky thing, they invoiced by email last Tuesday, then left a phone message the next day to say if they had not received the money by the end of that day the order would have to be postponed.

I would send an email back saying, i will pay the invoice after you have built the shed to my satisfaction and not before.

 

[JohnD]

The supplier is attempting to impose additional contractual terms on you after the contract has been placed.

They are not entitled to do that and it is not enforceable.

Have you paid them any money?

 

[Drain Whisperer]

Update as promised ... the job has happened, the guys who turned up were firmly in the real world, and did a frictionless job fuelled by ample tea and cakes. Maybe we were also lucky in who we got.

Thanks again to all for your inputs.