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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:
RampantIvy · 07/03/2022 07:14

We are about to have our kitchen done, and have already discussed this with the fitter. We are going to leave a tray with kettle, mugs, tea bags etc for him to use. He can use the outside tap for water.

ClemFandangoo · 07/03/2022 07:26

@RandomQuest

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.
Why is it rude? Workmen is the only job I know where you need to provide biscuits and drinks, why can’t they get their own? Next time the window cleaner comes I’ll pop a tray of biscuits outside or the guys that hand wash my car, I’ll just pop some biscuits out the window 🤣
Nandocushion · 07/03/2022 07:26

@KylieCharlene

Well, all the workmen around my parts I've noticed prefer to sit it their vehicles with Starbucks and McDonald's so unless you live in to he middle of nowhere I'm guessing they'd prefer to slope of to some such convenience. I've offered drinks plenty of times and been turned downGrin.
Yup. Big LOL at the idea of cringing apologies to people you're paying to do a job about not offering them treats. If they even notice I'd be surprised.
clarrylove · 07/03/2022 07:33

They probably bring their own kettle. Ask them on the first day of they need access to anything. The occasional pack of biscuits will keep them happy. One of mine used to ask to use the microwave each day to heat up a meal.

By the way, if you have to a combi boiler and therefore no water tank, your cold water will be coming off the mains so upstairs cold water should be just as clean as downstairs cold water.

Whitefire · 07/03/2022 07:37

4 weeks is a long old time. Why is it taking so long?

It is ridiculous to buy a kettle in this situation, stop with the buying of totally unnecessary stuff.

Grasping · 07/03/2022 07:38

You don’t have to make them drinks

I’m out at work all day and DH WFH but in meetings so can’t just make them drinks.

Our workmen cope just fine

ClemFandangoo · 07/03/2022 07:47

@Whitefire

4 weeks is a long old time. Why is it taking so long?

It is ridiculous to buy a kettle in this situation, stop with the buying of totally unnecessary stuff.

It’s always the women fretting about this stuff too. My DP has never given this any thought. Maybe it’s because as women we are historically expected to be the home bodies, the servers, the ones who make the food and drinks. It’s engrained I think?
Furbaby2842 · 07/03/2022 07:53

I cannot believe the amount of people on this thread telling you to buy a spare kettle purely to make workmen their drinks FFS

Orchidsonthetable · 07/03/2022 07:55

It’s always the women fretting about this stuff too. My DP has never given this any thought

I think that’s your partner. When we have workmen here my husband is the first to offer tea or coffee and always comments in advance. It’s just good manners.

ClemFandangoo · 07/03/2022 07:57

@Orchidsonthetable

It’s always the women fretting about this stuff too. My DP has never given this any thought

I think that’s your partner. When we have workmen here my husband is the first to offer tea or coffee and always comments in advance. It’s just good manners.

I don’t offer either. I don’t offer anyone else who’s providing a paid service drinks and treats or consider bending over backward and buying a new kettle just to do so. So why workmen?
Orchidsonthetable · 07/03/2022 07:59

I offer anyone who visits my home a hot drink. I feel it’s polite and do not think jist because it’s a paid service I should give nothing. We have a weekly cleaner, I also offer her coffee on arrival.

Isonthecase · 07/03/2022 08:08

I've looked after workmen really well in the past and they've still been terrible.

I think the best you can do is say 'sorry about the lack of tea, feel free to help yourself to biscuits' and leave out a couple of packets.

AngelinaFibres · 07/03/2022 08:12

@Datsandcogs

Do you want the best from them? Probably yes, then accommodate them, make them welcome and provide what you can. Doesn’t cost much but will create goodwill.
This. If you are at home whilst they are working then make them a drink in the morning, lunchtime and afternoon. Three drinks a day won't kill you. If you can't be bothered or you are going to be out, then invest in a cheap kettle and set up a tea station for them to get on with on their own. They are in your space and kitchens take ages to fit. Make it pleasant for them and it will be better for you.
gettingolderandgrumpy · 07/03/2022 08:13

This is mumsnet unless you provide a full tea tray with a selection of hot and cold drinks you are totally unreasonable. Imo they can sort themselves out only make them a drink if you make one but you say your disabled I doubt they are going to expect you to fill kettle in bathroom and make drinks while they are in the way in the kitchen . I honestly wouldn’t give it a thought and I’ve never given biscuits to workmen in my life a brew is offered if I’m home and making one that’s it .

SoupDragon · 07/03/2022 08:19

I would buy one of those mixed packs of biscuits, set up a "tea making station" near the kitchen and tell them to help themselves whenever they like "for convenience"

SoupDragon · 07/03/2022 08:19

They can easily fill up the kettle whenever they like as they won't be getting in their own way!

RosesAndHellebores · 07/03/2022 08:21

Of course you make tea/coffee a couple of times a day. Put some hot water in a thermos as well as having the kettle.

Why on earth is it taking 4 weeks to fit a kitchen. I can't imagine it's huge if it's a housing association property. Serious question.

Wavypurple · 07/03/2022 08:38

I never understand the pandering to workmen on here, acting as a hostess rather than a paying client.

YANBU to not be their waitress. I cannot believe people are suggesting buying a new kitchen appliance so that they can have a hot drink Confused. When I go to work no one lays out a spread for me, I doubt they do for you either.

My DP and DF are both workmen and would never in their life expect someone to accommodate them like some PPs have suggested.

Original poster
Player456 · 07/03/2022 08:42

I'm actually really pissed off now!

Someone just turned up to take the ceiling down! They took a sample of it ages ago, in case of asbestos, now they want to take it down!

Thing is, in 2011 we had a leak from the bathroom, where the ceiling actually collapsed. We had people out in hazmat suits, tunnels at all doors, etc, to replace the ceiling, and the precautions they took due to asbestos.

Since then we've had our house re-wired. They took samples from every ceiling, and they only routed the wire through the walls, in every room except the kitchen, as the kitchen ceiling was free from asbestos.

I showed the man the very visible places where they cut through the ceiling, due to it not having asbestos.

He thinks the sample may not have been tested, but they will have to take it down anyway, which means they won't start the kitchen till next week, leaving us without a kitchen for 5 weeks!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Player456 · 07/03/2022 08:48

@RosesAndHellebores I have no idea. Apparently they may get called away. I just posted an update, seems they may not start until next week!

The man has driven off now, no idea what is happening, but I suspect that no one else will arrive this week, if they've put down a new ceiling needs to be done first.

Not sure how to cope without a washing machine, oven and everything else for 5 weeks plus. Four weeks is bad enough!

OP posts:
Original poster
Player456 · 07/03/2022 08:50

@SoupDragon They only place available is the living room. The hallway is walking room only, nowhere to put a table or kettle. Will have to let them into the living room (which is crowded with appliances, clothes airer and food Grin

OP posts:
ANameChangeAgain · 07/03/2022 08:54

DH and his staff work at homes. They take flasks and a packed lunch, there is absolutely no reason to put out a hospitality tray. Its appreciated occasionally, but certainly not something that's expected. A "drink", ie a bit of a cash tip when they have completed is much more appreciated if you wanted to do something. If a householder gives our guys £10 or whatever on a Friday they love it.

greenlynx · 07/03/2022 09:00

We put a kettle, mugs, tea, coffee and biscuits for workmen (rewiring, replastering and painting). We were not living on the house yet so told them specifically that it’s for them. They barely touched all these - used their own stuff. Despite of it they did good job, no complaints on our side.

Window fitters on the other side… I did them tea and coffee many times with nice biscuits (their feedback). Despite of this they’ve done not so good job at the living room window so I wouldn’t recommend them. I don’t complain about making them tea and coffee. They worked with open windows and it was quite cold and I was hiding in the kitchen anyway so it was only fair that I was in charge of drinks. The point I’m making that the correlation between teas/coffees and quality of work is not so straightforward as some people think.

MotherOfWhippets · 07/03/2022 09:17

I recently had a part of our roof done. We live in a privately rented house so I suppose it doesn't matter that much to us how fantastic a job they do but I work from home all day and I don't really drink hot drinks so I really wouldn't be popping out every five minutes to check that the grown men wanted one. I did say they door was open and they were free to come through to make drinks/use the loo and left stuff out but that's it. Is it only women that are expected to do this? Drives me mad. Also - they didn't use it once.

I bought them some cakes from the bakery on the Friday and they seemed thrilled with that but I certainly didn't spend all week looking after them.

FWIW I've done outside/physical work myself and no one was ever falling over themselves to keep me in drinks and biscuits so I did the job I was being praised for properly.

MotherOfWhippets · 07/03/2022 09:23

Paid for properly even.

Bit of praise wouldn't have gone amiss either.....

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