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Original poster

Builders requesting drinks

733 replies

crazydiamond222 · 06/02/2020 14:54

We are having an extension built whilst I am on maternity leave. I have a 3 month old. We have 2 builders on site laying foundations who started on monday. I have been making them a drink first thing and on one occasion made them a bacon sandwich. I don't offer drinks all day because my son keeps me very busy and only naps on me and it is a 4 month job so I don't want to have to do drinks all day for this period.

This afternoon whilst I was playing with my son in the living room one of the builders walked past the window and requested a coffee and tea. I thought the request to be a bit cheeky as a) he shouldn't have been looking in the living room and b) he shouldn't been requesting. I made him the drinks anyway leaving my son on the playmat getting upset. I rushed outside as my son was upset and I wanted to get back to him. When I took the drinks outside I tripped over rubble breaking a cup and scratching my arm. The builders reply was you should have passed it through the window. I remade the drinks but suggested in future setting up a kettle in the garage for them but they said they can just bring their own drinks. I am now feeling pretty upset with them.

Just needed to vent really but what do people feel is reasonable regarding builders and drinks.

OP posts:
SecondaryBurnzzz · 07/02/2020 22:23

iamnotarobot 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

wetpants · 07/02/2020 22:28

Iamnotarobot Ah, you are so kind!

Fantastic Grin

PatellarTendonitis · 07/02/2020 22:46

So stop with the hollier than thou bollox, and respect you contractors.

Funny, you appear to have nothing but scorn for yours unless they bribe you with 'perks'. Plenty of us, however, don't resent our customers for not pandering to us or having some unwritten code that if they don't ascribe to it, we don't do the best job possible. The money we're paid is quite enough. Confused

I don't need their 'respect' via being catered to, it's a business transaction. I'm an adult capable of feeding and watering myself. I do the job, they pay the fee.

PatellarTendonitis · 07/02/2020 22:47

What, iam, no masseuse on staff?! That's shit!

MotherOfAllNameChanges · 07/02/2020 22:53

Wow. Just wow. Some people really have no manners. Of COURSE you offer tea op! Get over yourself! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️

Anxietyandwine · 07/02/2020 23:18

Iamnotaroboteither - exactly this. This thread has me mind blown. Show them the kettle and let them crack on. When my son was that age I was lucky if I could make myself a cuppa or get a shower or a sandwich. I’d have resented making endless cups of tea a day for people I’m paying to do a job. They can bring water, a thermos or request access to a kettle like in any other job.

Icepinkeskimo · 07/02/2020 23:59

This thread has been the topic of heated debate on site today.

My team of tea thirsty, chest beating, chocolate digestive addicts stuck in the 70's male chauvinist thugs, clearly stated:-

As a client you are not expected to make them drinks.

A tea station is lovely, and it stops them walking off down the road to get a drink.

And there you have it, anything else is a bonus.

Hope that has cleared the situation up.

Now go put the kettle on! Hmm

WiseNiceWoman · 07/02/2020 23:59

You are under no obligation to provide the builders' drinks at all. If they were working for a company on a building site sometimes they would have to provide their own refreshments but other times a water point is provided and not a lot of anything else. My partner is a scaffolder and they are not allowed to ask for drinks but able to take if given. You are pregnant and let them know that you are tired and if they can supply their own refreshments or the best you can do is put a kettle with perhaps some cheap tea or coffee even biscuits out for them - nothing fancy and that should suffice. Some women pander to men too much and this is why men take advantage of women. Don't be a doormat just provide the bare essentials and now and then perhaps a little comfort but certainly not all the time. Plus they should not expect it.

Barney60 · 08/02/2020 00:46

ive had lots of work done.
I also offered drinks upon arrival 8am ish then elevenses, again mid afternoon. if I went out I left them bottles of water. each time was with biscuits.
wasnt difficult made them with my own.
i think its expected tbh, i wouldn't want to be doing physical labour all day without a drink. i know can bring flasks but most dont.

wombatsandpythons · 08/02/2020 00:51

Do you realise how hard builders work!?

If you do not want to reward their hard work and actually be a kind human being by keeping them refreshed with hot and cold drinks at least leave them access to the kettle and teabags!

Think you're exaggerating to be honest and trying to get sympathy party with your "scratched arm". Boo hoo. Lesson of the day - make tea.

Herbalteahippie · 08/02/2020 01:13

I had builders here... I pointed at the kettle etc... they work it out. I always make my own tea and I’ve worked in war zones, hospitals and shops. They can make their own tea.

Fedupofdoingit · 08/02/2020 04:08

YANBU. I actually made tea and biscuits, plus let the washing machine repair guy use my toilet (where he spent over 5 minutes doing a number 2 😷). When he had finished the job he charged extra because he had went over the time allowed for the repair, which he wouldn’t have if he had just got on with it! That was the thanks I got for being kind! Like a fool, I was so taken back I paid it!

Petlover9 · 08/02/2020 04:12

@lamnotaroboteither - where do you live and what jobs need doing? You had me in stitches . . .

I would offer a drink on arrival or about 10.30am a lunchtime drink when they eat their sandwiches and an afternoon drink, possibly with biscuits, it is only polite. OP had a cheeky builder but maybe he was used to being offered a couple of drinks. If you can’t leave a baby for a while how do you get anything done. My baby always started to cry when I was showering but you can’t always pick them up instantly, like when you are hanging washing outside. I wonder how OP would cope with a toddler and newborn? + washing + cooking + cleaning + making beds. I didn’t know anyone who sat with their child all day.

Juliette20 · 08/02/2020 05:30

If I were a builder I'd bring a flask of coffee and a water bottle rather than bothering anyone for drinks.

I do brew up for workmen (and women) we've had doing jobs but I wouldn't have anyone back who was needy or demanding about it or who made me feel uncomfortable in my own home.

Juliette20 · 08/02/2020 05:35

Upon arrival at 7am they are welcomed with a selection of cheeses and breads from around the globe accompanied by freshly squeezed juices

That's all very well Iamnotarobot but the poor dears were probably too embarrassed to say was what they really wanted was a bacon and egg roll Grin

Doesntlooklikeanythingtome · 08/02/2020 05:51

Why don’t they bring a thermos and look after their own nutrition and hydration needs? Its their job?

PickleBottomNo3sMum · 08/02/2020 06:23

A) Your son is 4 months old so it should be fine to leave him for a min to take some drinks out.

B) You should have provided them with a kettle, tea, coffee, milk and biscuits (maybe the odd cake too 😋). Also access to drinking water.

Surely it’s in your interest to keep them sweet??🤷🏻‍♀️ Builders are people too

Bananabixfloof · 08/02/2020 06:59

Once again, OP had offered the builders a tea station but they declined. Then started to rap at the window and ask for drinks. But everyone piles in to call OP horrible

It's besides the point anyway as the OP has explained she offered to set up a drink station but the builders declined it. But rather than read properly, it's easier to berate the OP of course

This drinks station was offered after falling over rubble and breaking a mug.

Lulu49 · 08/02/2020 07:26

A 3 month old keeps you busy??!! Only naps on you?! Best stop at one and heaven help you if you have more! Make tea/coffee every hour!

skyblu · 08/02/2020 07:45

Mountain, Molehill much?!

savethecat · 08/02/2020 07:46

It looks like people are misreading and suggesting OP doesn't want to furnish them with a drink at all. That doesn't sound like its the case at all. It's just the constant "on-call" for drinks she seems to be concerned about. She has a life to get on with and for a job that will go on for months and months, this wouldn't be sustainable.
We are not sitting at home watching loss women and waiting to see if the men want anything. Some of us are working and getting on with tasks.
No-one is begruding an offered drink , just the "on-demand" through the day.

savethecat · 08/02/2020 07:46

loss women lol...loose women that was. Is that show even still on?

Kirkman · 08/02/2020 07:49

She isnt on call with drinks. She made one in the morning and was asked for one later.

She is annoyed that she fell over and thinks they were rude for it. Like the buolder said she could have just passed it through the window. I cant believe people are si arsey about making people who work for them a brew. Especially if the people who work for you are men.

savethecat · 08/02/2020 07:53

Especially if the people who work for you are men

er, why?

Kirkman · 08/02/2020 08:06

Well because anyone who had said OP should make them an occasional drink have been accused of sexism, of thinking op is a little woman the mens beck and call, that we must think the poor men cant make their own brew

The thread is full of posters accusing others of sexism, unless they agree with the OP.