Hi, What is the status of the prohibition of not doing work on erev Pesach? Is this a recommended practice or is the halachah? Are activities that are prohibited on Chol Hamoed such as shaving, doing laundry, etc? What time does the prohibition start?

The prohibition of not doing work on Erev Pesach is absolutely halacha, although Derabanan. In fact there is an entire chapter on it in Shulchan Aruch (468). As for the time of the prohibition, unlike the Rema, the Mishna Brura says, that there are many places where the minhag is not to do Melacha only from Chatzot. In some ways doing Melacha on Erev Pesach is like Chol Hamoed and in some ways more lenient. The Shulchan Aruch prohibits what is called "Melacha Gmura." This would refer to doing work as a profession that one gets paid for. Painting one's home, building furniture or the like. However, cooking, cleaning or travelling is permitted. It is best to shave, cut one's nails and get a haircut before Chatzot, however Rav Mordechai Eliyah zt"l ( Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 113:5) permitted to shave after Chatzot.