To not give builders food

I'd find the discomfort of saying no, worse than the clean up. But I wouldn't expect to have to excavate the bathroom.

😂 No OP. You sound lovely but seriously, you are going above and beyond already. Have a chat with them in the morning, tell them about the downstairs loo (and to take boots off) and show them the tea/coffee station. They’ll hugely appreciate it. One pack of basic biscuits is plenty and just crack on with your day. You are way better than me (my DH has a building company) and I’ll occasionally do a coffee round if I’m in but they are pretty good at sorting themselves out if I’m not.

Although make sure you leave sugar as well. I can’t bear it in any hot drink but all of the trades we use have at least 2 spoons in each drink!

You can offer but don’t be offended if they ignore your spread! I’ve had loads of tradies in and they just want to sit in the van for their break drinking cans of monster. Haven’t had anyone accept a cuppa in years! Maybe the gaffer takes a coffee from time to time. Very rarely get anyone wanting to use the loo either, must have amazing bladders!

Drinks or drinks and biscuits fine. Also use of a loo

My DH was Scaffolding a elderly couples semi , the elderly lady came out just before the lads knocked off for lunch, she insisted the guys had lunch with her and her Husband, they were treated to a full roast beef dinner served on the best china plates

I hate it though.. the thought of going in to clean after..

No I’ve never experienced that, and have fully renovated this place,

That’s not my experience at al, they are all very clean.

wtf! That can’t be usual 😳

Yes well if workmen knew how to use customers toilets appropriately there wouldn't be this problem.

We've all experienced it, 'can I use your loo' yes course, to then go in and find a disgusting stink and mess. Wives of workmen, tell them if they opened windows, didn't piss all over the seat and used a bog brush if they'd had an explosive crap they wouldn't face this reluctance.

I don't tell visiting friends and family they can't use the loo, just workmen.

In their own home I bet they are very careful not to spray the floor or pebble dash the toilet, but for some reason, when in the client's toilets, most are not hygienic. I know they are not all like that, but it only takes a few to ruin it, and I’ve no intention of acting as a toilet attendant!

I just say: 'here's the kettle help yourself'. I'm not making tea for them. Biscuits - yea if you like. If I do make a cup for myself I offer.
They need access to the toilet - unless your DH wants them weeing in the garden (I've seen the neighbours' workers do this). They are NOT going in a bottle in the van! Disgusting - why would he expect that? Treat them like the human beings they are. Treat them like animals and you may not like the quality of their work.

I always offer drinks and biscuit type fare, my dad was a service engineer many moons ago and he always used to come home and moan about the 'tight' people that didn't offer him a drink especially in the heat of the summer, he had to ask for water on many occasion, it wasn't the done thing back then to carry your own bottled water around, have always remembered my thirsty dad so naturally I always offer a drink of some sort at the very least.

I’d not be leaving a flask out though, for some reason I think once it’s been opened once,and used, the water will cool.

oersonally we just make them fresh , it’s hardly onerous.

Yes, I found that when we had an extension built, they refused as we live near cafes, coffee shops and a sandwich/baguette shop and they seemed to want to buy their own stuff. They are pretty loaded these days so probably don’t want a biscuit if they can have a pastry or deli style sandwich. I was relieved as my DC were young at the time and I was busy with them. Now, I wouldn’t really have time as I am WFH and really busy.

Shitty is the word! Piss on the floor, toilet seat not wiped, no hand washing, stinking. I don’t want that! Luckily, a nice little cafe was only 100 yards away.

Just get something like a big pack of 2-finger kit-kats for branded stuff and fine for the rest to be own brand. Crisps should probably be branded though, imo, whatever comes in a big multi-pack.

I can’t believe the majority of clients practically offer a menu of food and drinks! They must have plenty of time on their hands to cater like that, not to mention the cost ! Most workmen bring their own food, or use a nearby cafe, if lucky. Biscuits and a tea or coffee is all that’s necessary to offer.

You don't need branded. As long as they don't taste like sawdust you're fine.

Op you're having 2 days worth of fencing done . This is not a big job so don't overthink. A cup of tea and a biscuit outside is all that is required and itd be a no for using the loo too from me after previous bad experiences involving massive skids and unopened windows 🤢.

Same here. Though my DH has told me stories of doing work and not being able to use the toilet. I can't believe people can be that shitty to someone who's doing a really good job for you 🤷

Normally the workmen will order rolls etc or have a cooked breakfast at the cafe . At the cafe near us a new estate was being built. A steady stream of hungry workers helped fill the coffers. I wouldn’t have minded them using my toilet, but as I said, some aren’t very particular in their aim when using the loo, and some don’t wash their hands. I’m not putting up with that!

Yeah. What do you think they will do that no one else does?

I get these op for small outside jobs. They are good as you can hold them without burning your hands.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BJQB49PR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1