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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to not provide lunch for a joiner?

87 replies

boggysiscuit · 01/07/2016 22:09

We've got someone coming Mon-Weds next week to build some cupboards and change kitchen layout a bit. One bloke. I was going to buy nice biscuits and make sure tea/coffee/milk/sugar is well-stocked. DH thinks we should make him up some sandwiches and get in some extra crisps and chocolate bars. We live a 3 minute walk from a large supermarket and an excellent chippy. Who IBU?

OP posts:
ShortBreadEater · 01/07/2016 22:35

You're doing more than enough! I'm sure he'll appreciate the effort you've gone to without you having to put on a full spread.

WankersHacksandThieves · 01/07/2016 22:36

I had trades in for over 3 weeks, I left out tea/coffee/sugar, squash and tins of biscuits. I was mostly out at work, i told them to help themselves and also have full use of the kitchen if they wanted to heat stuff up/make toast or soup or anything. Also said if they forgot their lunch, not to go short, just to rake the cupboards and make themselves something. They were perfectly fine, brought their own lunch and were appreciative of being able to have access to the kitchen table for eating lunch and breaks. they said some people can be funny and they are left to eat in the area they are working in (in my case the bathrooms) or go to their van.

flappingbingowings · 01/07/2016 22:39

There is a distinct possibility he may starve to death whilst building your cupboards. Do you really want that on your conscience? And the paperwork will be horrendous.

iminshock · 01/07/2016 22:41

NO PINK BISCUITS

BackforGood · 01/07/2016 22:42

Your dh is being a bit odd.
People of all trades sort their own food, you only need to offer drinks

Fourfifthsof · 01/07/2016 22:46

We always have tea and biscuits in good supply but that's it for the most part... I've made bacon sarnies if we were already having them and shared lollies /pop etc if it's hot and once a bloke worked late and we all had tea from the chippy together but that's not the norm - apparently we were good hosts.

Merinocool · 01/07/2016 22:47

When we had work done recently we did tea/coffee and biscuits or cake. They went out loads for food though, they were out for bacon rolls for breakfast then either a chippy or dominos for lunch! It's amazing how much some of them can eat! I did feel a bit guilty for not feeding them properly but I was 9 months pregnant and couldn't face it. I hate having people working in the house as I'm never sure what they expect.

Fourfifthsof · 01/07/2016 22:48

We also give access to the bathroom (why wouldn't you?) and fridge / microwave etc

flappingbingowings · 01/07/2016 22:50

Don't give access to your bathroom. Make him hold it in all day. it will be entertaining

Tartsamazeballs · 01/07/2016 22:51

We're having a lot of work done to the house. I'll always offer a bacon sarnie or something if I'm making it, but generally the workers turn me down. I make a cuppa if I'm having one, but otherwise offer them free reign on the kettle and any cold drinks in the fridge. I always get a family variety pack of biscuits in too.

I couldnt offer a lunch each day they're here- they've been here since May and aren't due to leave until Sept!!

Donatellalymanmoss · 01/07/2016 22:53

Are there really people who won't let people working in their house use the toilet? Another mumsnet eye-opener.

gamerchick · 01/07/2016 22:53

Tell your bloke to crack on if he wants to do that. Sorted.

Okay377 · 01/07/2016 22:54

You are right. Tea and biscuits is the norm. People provide/go out for/bring their own lunch. Would think it a bit weird if offered in my experience.

AnnaMarlowe · 01/07/2016 22:54

Karla I'm Shock about not allowing someone working in your house to use the loo! Why ever wouldn't you?

I now realise why all the men we've had in recently have asked so politely if they could use the loo! Dear Lord some people must have no manners or compassion at all.

Merinocool · 01/07/2016 22:54

I can't believe anyone wouldn't let people working in their house use their toilet, are people actually that precious?

gamerchick · 01/07/2016 22:58

There are knob ends who won't let people working at their property to use the toilet. Properly extreme knobends.

WeMustGetOffTheMountain · 01/07/2016 22:59

My DP is a tradesman and he said he would feel uncomfortable if someone offered him lunch. He takes sandwiches with him to eat in the van for a bit of peace and quiet and play on his phone for half an hour or pops to a chippy etc. Tea and coffee is always nice to offer, and yeah maybe leave a few biscuits out on a plate.

AnnaMarlowe · 01/07/2016 23:01

gamer that's actually quite upsetting. The idea that people think their toilets are so precious that someone else's poo and wee aren't good enough for them.

That must make the tradesmen concerned feel awful.

OutsiderInTheGarden · 01/07/2016 23:05

My OH is a tradesman. He's very happy if someone offers him a drink and delighted to be offered a biscuit, but it's never expected. He would never expect someone to provide lunch, although some lovely clients do occasionally offer a bacon butty or a Cornish pasty. However, access to the bathroom is just a necessity. What do these people think someone is going to do if they can't pee for the 8 to 10 hours that they're on site? Confused I do think it's worth being decent to tradespeople doing work in your home, after all you are trusting them with what is probably your biggest investment.

Cabrinha · 01/07/2016 23:06

I supplied my joiner with breakfast on his second visit.

The morning after I shagged him all night Grin

See what your husband thinks to that? Grin

AnnaMarlowe · 01/07/2016 23:11

I've had electricians, plumbers, painters, joiners and gas fitters in my house recently. Skilled people doing for the most part work I don't have the know how to do.

Work which in 3 out of the four examples keeps my family safe.

Why on earth would you be so disrespectful as to deny them access to basic facilities? No one some people can never get tradespeople...

flappingbingowings · 01/07/2016 23:11

Cabrinha, but did you let him use your bathroom? Now that would be disgusting

AnnaMarlowe · 01/07/2016 23:12

Cabrinha that might be a little more generous with the facilities than I would be prepared to be... Grin

ABCAlwaysBeCunting · 01/07/2016 23:15

I give tradespeople tea, coffee, biscuits and access to the toilet. In my experience they all want to get their own lunch so I tell them where the cafes and sandwich shops are.

ichoosesleep · 01/07/2016 23:18

I once had a joiner come do some work for me and I offered him a full Sunday roast as I was a single mum just me and DS who was then 3 years old. So I had loads to spare and he was very appreciative of it!

In fact Although now we've been married almost 8 years since that day I gave him a plate of my spare Sunday roast he doesn't half bang on about it when someone makes him a bacon sandwich or a slice of homemade apple pie!

I'd say feed the tradesman well and they will do a good job or in my case I get free joinery jobs and ikea furniture built for me for the rest of our years together Wink