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Original poster

Not making drinks for workmen?

121 replies

Player456 · 06/03/2022 12:36

We're having our kitchen refitted.

We've been told to clear everything out and will only be allowed to access the kitchen for fresh water before they arrive in the morning and in the evening.

My friend said that I will need to get biscuits in and make tea for them.
I'm not considering this at all.

When we had the bathroom refitted, and any other works, I've always made drinks/given biscuits, but as I can only fill the kettle once from 8am-5pm, I don't really want to do this. Sure, we could store water, but we are going to have everything in the living room (washing machine, cooker, fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster, plus all the food and tins from the cupboards), so there really isn't anywhere to store water. We also have only kept out three mugs (one for each of us), as space is so limited, and I've not figured out where we are going to wash up, so don't want lots of mugs hanging around.

We're already going to be in trouble as DH (who does have an electric qualification), has disconnected the cooker, and we were told to leave it, as they would do it, but then I would have to move it straight after (DH will be at work, I am officially classified as disabled now, and cannot walk properly, let alone move a cooker).

OP posts:
Original poster
Player456 · 06/03/2022 14:04

@maddiemookins16mum Thanks, that sounds like a plan. Though it's going to take four weeks, so some days the biscuits may be in short supply compared to others.

OP posts:
JorisBonson · 06/03/2022 14:05

We bought the cheapest mugs and kettle we could find when our kitchen was bring refitted. Left tea, coffee and sugar out and let them crack on.

RandomQuest · 06/03/2022 14:05

I think it’s rude not to leave them anything but if the set up means hot drinks are a pain in arse then I’d leave a few soft drinks in the fridge, some biscuits on the side and tell them to help themselves.

buddylicious · 06/03/2022 14:08

Won't they bring a flask?

MondeoFan · 06/03/2022 14:08

Tesco sell a kettle for about £10 I'd buy that.
And cheap biscuits. They don't need to be M&S. maybe some doughnuts on a Friday if you think they are working well and fast.

AlisonDonut · 06/03/2022 14:10

@buddylicious

Won't they bring a flask?
Yes, And food. And will probably have a kettle in the van as they [shock horror] fit bloody kitchens for a living.

Nobody should be buying a kettle for workmen.

10001namechanges · 06/03/2022 14:11

@Player456

No spare kettle. I thought about the bathroom, but we have a combi boiler and I was told they put some sort of limescale stuff in it, so I've been scared of using the bathroom tap to drink from.
The water in the cold bathroom tap is exactly the same as the cold kitchen tap.
Erinyes · 06/03/2022 14:16

I’ve had endless workmen in for the past year (rewire, replumbing, replastering, painters, carpet layers etc) while I wfh, and I never make them drinks — I’m at work, too. I leave tea and coffee by the kettle, and biscuits if there are any. The vast majority bring flasks and only eat what they bring with them.

Lemongrass9 · 06/03/2022 14:17

My DH is a kitchen fitter, he takes a coffee in a thermos in the morning. If his customers make tea/coffee then that’s nice but if not he has a bottle of water too so he won’t go thirsty. If he wants tea/coffee during day he will know to bring a bigger flask for the rest of the job. It’s a nice treat if biscuits are offered but doesn’t mind either way. He brings a packed lunch and plenty of snacks for the day so it’s not really necessary.

LibbyL92 · 06/03/2022 14:23

I always provide tea/biscuits sometimes bags of crisps if we have workers in. I’m also HA.

You look after then they look after you :)

Luredbyapomegranate · 06/03/2022 14:42

@GeneLovesJezebel

Where are they going to make drinks if you don’t make them ? And presumably you can fill the kettle in the bathroom ?
They can make it their fucking selves can’t they?

Just give them a tray, with mugs (or disposables so no one is washing up), yea bags, milk, basic biscuits and show then the plug in the hall and the tap on the bathroom. It’s in your interests to provide the basics but no more.

Baconandmaplesyrup · 06/03/2022 14:46

I just bought a cheap travel kettle and left it out with tea coffee milk and biscuits, with some cups and spoons and then left them to it, I then cleaned it up and tidied it up each night. You can fill it from the bathroom too, you are boiling the water.

RobinBlackbird · 06/03/2022 14:49

Most workmen turn down my tea offering. Acceptance is very rare.

AlisonDonut · 06/03/2022 17:31

We've been told to clear everything out

And this includes the kettle [so don't waste your money buying another one].

and will only be allowed to access the kitchen for fresh water before they arrive in the morning and in the evening.

Because they do not want you hanging about offering to make them drinks.

mrsbyers · 06/03/2022 17:56

We had them in recently , made a round of tea the first day , second day offered and made two mugs - found them cold untouched at the end of the day so didn’t offer again. I’m at home working and barely have time to make myself drinks let alone others and they seemed to be quite happy with going to the local shop. Gave them a decent tip at the end of the week and said that’s in lieu of cups of tea and they were happy

Fupoffyagrasshole · 06/03/2022 18:11

We just set kettle up in the hall with some milk , tea coffee and cups and stuff and told them to help themselves

We even left them the new ores so machine and some pods

Also my husband picked the lads up McDonald’s brekkie one morning

They worked hard and did a great job so was nice to keep them happy

ifonly4 · 06/03/2022 18:22

If I value them and think they're doing a good job, then I offer a hot drink when I'm having one (only twice a day though). I've had a kitchen fitted before and wouldn't be able to go without my morning coffee, so I'd fill up the kettle, water bottles and if necessary some mixing bowls or saucepans.

TreronsForTea · 06/03/2022 18:26

I never make tea or coffee.
I expect them to arrive prepared for a day at work.
That means a flask, water and lunch.

Polyanthus2 · 07/03/2022 06:47

Lately I find that the workmen have a flask and sandwiches and might take a cuppa in the afternoon if I am making one then.

I would get some cans of coke, squash in and leave it out for them. with glasses. Plus some biscs.

MrsDThomas · 07/03/2022 06:52

Absolutely not! They should provide their own. They are being paid a wage by you to to a job. They’re not there to eat and drink.

I’ve learned this lesson. The more you provide the more they take advantage

CircleofWillis · 07/03/2022 06:55

@MrsDThomas

Absolutely not! They should provide their own. They are being paid a wage by you to to a job. They’re not there to eat and drink.

I’ve learned this lesson. The more you provide the more they take advantage

How strange, I have found the complete opposite. The more like a reasonable human being you treat others, the more they treat you decently in return. Odd that!
MrsDThomas · 07/03/2022 07:00

They are there for 4 weeks? 8-5? That’s a long time to refit a kitchen.

Seriously, if you provide refreshments like you want to they’ll be there for more than 4 weeks

Do you do a day’s work and expect to be showered with tea and biscuits? A good tradesperson will take his/her own provisions

Twiglets1 · 07/03/2022 07:03

Just order a new cheap kettle off Amazon or somewhere and give them their own kettle alongside milk sugar etc

WTF475878237NC · 07/03/2022 07:06

Absolutely no need for this. It's a kitchen refit, you can't access it, that's the whole point. My recent workmen brought their own flasks and said they got used to doing that because of COVID anyway.

burnthur5t · 07/03/2022 07:07

Until I joined mn I never knew that if you had builders in you had to keep them fed and watered throughout the day

Gone are the days of adults being able to bring a flask and some lunch to work with them

It's now you're responsibility