I'm being a bitch aren't I?

[MakeThemEatCake]

We're having work done on our (rented) flat this week, essential maintenance work arranged by our landlord. It might run into 2 weeks, they're not sure yet.

The workmen are very nice, there's 3 of them and they've been nothing but polite, chatty and super respectful. They like to drink a lot of tea, and I told them to just ask when they want one. However, DP doesn't work at the moment (another thread) and I'm signed off and on esa for various health issues. Money is very very tight, to the point where I sold 2 bags of my clothes to a clothes bank last week, and am having to ask for food from my parents.

I don't know how I'll be able to afford the teabags, milk and sugar possibly for the next fortnight! They each have about 6 cups a day, and started Monday. I feel I can't say anything to them, I need to get a grip don't I?!! Aibu?

Sorry just realised you did give me some very good tips on how to write an email to them, thank you.

My husband's a builder. Just mention it to them they won't mind, most of them won't be from wealthy families anyway. Just say your running a bit low on supplies and aren't expecting to be paid for a few weeks so would they mind bringing their own. Tell them they're welcome to leave the stuff at yours while they're working there and still use the kettle and stuff. They won't mind, people understand these things.

So you've been making 18 cups of tea a day? It just providing the teabags but actually making the tea?

Put a stop to it now. Just say "sorry guys, I don't mind the odd cuppa but I can't be doing with thay many cups a day, you're welcome to use the kettle and make your own but you'll need to bring your own teabags and milk"

i feel your pain, when I ask its always a list of how they want it made, how many sugars etc, its a nightmare, then they have ended up leaving it to go cold. I just hate having workmen in, although anyone who has done work for us are normally very pleasant. could just hide the teabags and say you've run out of them or milk? they might get the hint and bring their own or a flask.
I would do as others suggested and tell your landlord or landlady about the disruption. its a worth a try, you have to live with the mess.

Yes am putting a stop to it from tomorrow. Hacker yes, that many and making them too, although dp has been doing most of them today.
80s exactly! Its the sugar requirements too, my memory is shit at the mo and I have to keep asking. Dp said he only made them 3 each though today and is going to cut it down to 2 tomorrow.

Definitely going to have to say something to ll, went into the kitchen to start dinner and there's this brown dust type stuff all over the work surface, toaster and oven hob. Agh had enough now!

Wow you are so good OP! My OH has been refused tap water before, some people just really look down on tradesmen.

I would put a stop to so many though, maybe provide for the one then say 'oh must be all out' and let them buy their own.

As someone else suggested, just be honest. Once you've made the last cup of tea for them just hand it to them and say right fellas that was the last of the teabags/sugar/milk and we don't get paid again til 2/3 weeks time so I just wanted to let you know that in case you think I'm being rude not offering any more cups of tea! Then either leave it at that or tell them if they bring their own you'll be more than happy to make the tea for them.

I always have workmen/decorators etc calling because my house is falling down around me and needs constant repairs. I always offer tea and give biscuits aswell. When they arrive really early in the morning and we know they're going to be here for hours we will often go to the bakery and buy them buns/sausage rolls etc. I hate them being here (I have a thing about people being in my house) but would never make them feel awkward and can't believe some people won't let them use the loo!

And now that I say that ^ OP, I remembered that recently I offered tea and one of the workmen said I'll have a coffee, I said oh I don't have coffee but there's a wee shop in the next street if you want to go buy some and the kettle will be boiled by the time you get back. There was no awkwardness in it at all, he went off to the shop and I made the coffee and he took the rest of the jar home with him. Simple!

Sorry you're feeling so stressed about it all, it really is quite intimidating having people in your home especially when you are having money issues aswell but try to remember it's your home and if you don't have enough to keep them going you shouldn't worry about it.

Jesus, I just realised I sound like a bit of a dick in my last post 'oh I give them biscuits and buns aswell' but I meant to say that in reply to the discussion about making builders go to asda for a pee/not being allowed in other rooms etc.....just meaning I hopefully treat them ok and they don't have any bad stories to take home to the wives about the nightmare customer today! It wasn't meant to seem like I was bragging about my tesco value digestives and 30p buns!

Can you sneak some tea bags out, make it look like you ran out so they have to go get some more?

I agree with whoever said get value teabags and then tell them money's running low and they will need to get milk and sugar but you will boil the kettle. That's the cheapest way to do it and by providing one thing you still look like nice hosts.

Boiling the kettle may well be the most expensive part of the tea making ritual.

Thanks for replies. missmoo its ok didn't see it as bragging at all! Thanks for your advice, its great actually this morning as they've turned the electric off for the next 2 hours so couldn't make tea if I wanted to
And they turned up with McDonalds tea too, so am just not going to offer and if they mention it say we've run out of teabags (I've moved them) and that if they buy some I'm happy to make a cup. And then going out so dp can deal with it he said he's not going to offer either until an hour or so before they leave. I guess we're trying a 'tea phase-out'.

Its true, the kettle boiling might be the most expensive part of this, that's yet another cost I worry sick about.

Just to add - I genuinely am disgusted that some clients would refuse tap water to tradesmen. I firmly believe a person's true character is revealed when you observe how they treat people who serve/work for them (checkout staff, waiters etc) and to refuse water to a fellow human being is just shitty behaviour!!

MakeThemEatCake In OHs case, they tried not to pay the company too claiming the work wasn't good enough despite it being signed off and them being happy before they got the invoice. So I do agree with you on the true character.