To not give builders food

Honestly cannot believe what I am reading. Are builders some kind of underclass sub species? You would expect them to pee in a bottle rather than use your loo?

Truly, this is one of the nastiest things I’ve ever read.

I honestly could not even imagine thinking this was acceptable and I would be mortified if anyone thought they couldn’t/shouldn’t ask to use our loo. And I have a lovely home which I keep like a show home largely. And guess what? It can be wiped over after them if it’s a bit dirty.

Sounds like a lot of people on here think they should keep builders supplied with a constant stream of tea or coffee or cold drinks, plus anything from a hearty supply of biscuits, to bacon rolls, to four course meals. It's surprising the builders actually have time to do any work.

When I worked - retired now - no one came to my office and supplied me with free things to eat. The tea and coffee was free but I had one break in the morning and one in the afternoon, apart from lunch.

I always offer drinks to anyone working in my house or garden. Some accept, some have their own. It wouldn't occur to me to offer any sort of food.

In my case, my builders had to work around us still living here and me working here, respect various rules about our dogs, and rip out a kitchen and bathroom that were nowhere near as clean as I'd have liked (because 30 years old and I can't get things squeaky clean from a wheelchair nor can I force ND DP with PDA to get things clean to my standards either)...

So elements of the job were more unpleasant than they should have been and more awkward for them, with no extra pay! I felt I did have a responsibility to make things as pleasant as possible to make up for that.

People act like the builders are volunteering and doing a massive favour. You are paying them and they can buy their own biscuits just as every other working person does.

I make tea and coffee and tell them where the toilet is but it wouldn't occur to me to give biscuits. It's not something I keep in the house and surely people would bring their own if they want them.

We’ve had builders and trades here and our old property frequently for ten years (major rennovation etc). We now know them well.

They will appreciate being offered one in the morning and ad hoc during the day. Don’t bother setting up a station. They’ll also bring their own hot flasks anyway if they want one inbetween. They’ll appreciate the biscuits but one usually goes to local supermarket and buys stuff for them all anyway.

let them use the toilet.

If you like their work and may want them back; I’d definitely be giving tea coffee and biscuits. Access to the loo is essential.

If they’re fitting a fence, they won’t be that dirty I assure you.

The table with biscuits and flask is a good idea.

btw your hubby is being a dick

I always offer a brew but often but not always it’s turned down as they have their own things. They usually sit in their van for lunch. They’ve usually use my loo though. But it doesn’t bother me as much as many on here. And we don’t have a downstairs loo. Just the one bathroom. So I always make sure it’s presentable once everyone’s gone to school/work. But work has mostly been on the house upstairs anyway.

We had workmen in for 3 days and hubby was wfh. He made them bacon rolls and coffee every day.

They were grateful and impressed enough to send pics of them eating breakfast to their not-so- lucky colleagues.

I would have shown them the kettle and left them to it lol. But I'm always uncomfortable around strangers in my house

You do know if you don't allow them to use your loo, they may just pee in your garden.

I am gobsmacked by people on this thread who expect people working in their home to pee in a cafe or a plastic bottle!!! Jesus. Some of you are truly without humanity.

Are you watching them pee? You honestly unhinged!

Exactly this! Do these people never piss at work?!?

Are you being serious?! 😂

Every one gives workmen tea and biscuits!!

I run a roofing company and know others in construction so thought it would be good to give you this perspective.

My boys usually aren’t fussy at all how they get their coffee/tea but they really grumble about customers that don’t even offer a drink at least. A flask and a few cups sounds like a great idea! Biscuits are a bonus (again don’t worry about presentation they’re used to it so don’t worry about a table just pop the packet on the floor if possible.) If you have a toilet near one of your doors it’s often best to let them use it (if there’s a discreet area in some gardens I know lads who just pee anywhere in the garden or they’ll go in the back of the van 🙈). I as a female really struggle without a toilet so if there are any ladies working on your job please let them in for a wee 😂.

Other than that I wouldn’t worry too much about anything else. Lads are used to it in construction.

The whole builders using the loo debate is pathetic. Let them use the loo, ffs. You aren't better than them and your arse is no different.

Ummmmm, what if there was a woman working with them. Would he expect her to pee in a bottle too???

I offered tea/coffee when i was making it, not food. But my husband offered a fried egg sandwich when he made one!

Always allowed access to the toilet.

All this horror of workmen using the loo and shoe protectors and the like is hysterical. Just have a good scrub when they’ve gone! People really do live in their own little precious ivory bubbles these days, the idea of a builder using the loo for a quick wee being a trauma seems like a mental health issue..

Interesting and good to have confirmed that there is a cultural difference there, I had wondered if I was imagining it

I never refuse, but I don’t like it if they aren’t fastidious, not being careful peeing, and don’t wash their hands etc. If they are using the nearby cafe for their lunch they can use the loos there.

When the plumbers were installing our bathroom (a 2 week job) I offered that they could help themselves to tea and coffee whenever they wanted in the kitchen right next to where they were working, and I’d leave everything out for them and kettle filled- as I’d be working from home and juggling child pick ups/drop offs. But they said they felt awkward using my kitchen- but accepted every single tea I made them (usually about 3 a day). Was a right ball ache as I felt obligated to offer but meant I ended up being the tea maid in between all my online meetings! Oh and to answer your question- if I had biscuits in I’d always offer them but I didn’t really get much in especially except making sure we always had milk, coffee, tea and sugar in. We only had one bathroom so we were all weeing elsewhere! But obvs normally you should offer them a toilet- your husband is being mental.