To not give builders food

[ThiswillDoItsfine]

Help me settle this difference of opinion. I have a company coming out in 3 weeks time to install a lot of fencing. I mentioned to dh that I will get them coffee, tea, and biscuits/cookies in to have with drinks. Dh is saying just the drinks is fine, and for me to just offer it as and when. The job is going to take 2 days. I want to give the men something to eat as well, at the very least.
DH is then saying he doesn't want them trailing through the house, which I do understand. However, I was going to set a table outside with a flask, tea bags, coffee, milk & sugar, and bowl of biscuits so that they could help themselves. I thought this would be less restricting and mean that they can get it when they want, without waiting for me to ask. I also think it saves me running around when i have a child to look after. DH is saying that this is well over the top.

Is this okay? Or is it wrong i set this up outside for them? It is an outdoor job, so I thought it would be easier all around, and they'll be working hard.

Thank you.

You do know if you don't allow them to use your loo, they may just pee in your garden.

We had workmen in for 3 days and hubby was wfh. He made them bacon rolls and coffee every day.

They were grateful and impressed enough to send pics of them eating breakfast to their not-so- lucky colleagues.

I would have shown them the kettle and left them to it lol. But I'm always uncomfortable around strangers in my house

I always offer a brew but often but not always it’s turned down as they have their own things. They usually sit in their van for lunch. They’ve usually use my loo though. But it doesn’t bother me as much as many on here. And we don’t have a downstairs loo. Just the one bathroom. So I always make sure it’s presentable once everyone’s gone to school/work. But work has mostly been on the house upstairs anyway.

The table with biscuits and flask is a good idea.

btw your hubby is being a dick

If they’re fitting a fence, they won’t be that dirty I assure you.

If you like their work and may want them back; I’d definitely be giving tea coffee and biscuits. Access to the loo is essential.

We’ve had builders and trades here and our old property frequently for ten years (major rennovation etc). We now know them well.

They will appreciate being offered one in the morning and ad hoc during the day. Don’t bother setting up a station. They’ll also bring their own hot flasks anyway if they want one inbetween. They’ll appreciate the biscuits but one usually goes to local supermarket and buys stuff for them all anyway.

let them use the toilet.

I make tea and coffee and tell them where the toilet is but it wouldn't occur to me to give biscuits. It's not something I keep in the house and surely people would bring their own if they want them.

People act like the builders are volunteering and doing a massive favour. You are paying them and they can buy their own biscuits just as every other working person does.

In my case, my builders had to work around us still living here and me working here, respect various rules about our dogs, and rip out a kitchen and bathroom that were nowhere near as clean as I'd have liked (because 30 years old and I can't get things squeaky clean from a wheelchair nor can I force ND DP with PDA to get things clean to my standards either)...

So elements of the job were more unpleasant than they should have been and more awkward for them, with no extra pay! I felt I did have a responsibility to make things as pleasant as possible to make up for that.

Sounds like a lot of people on here think they should keep builders supplied with a constant stream of tea or coffee or cold drinks, plus anything from a hearty supply of biscuits, to bacon rolls, to four course meals. It's surprising the builders actually have time to do any work.

When I worked - retired now - no one came to my office and supplied me with free things to eat. The tea and coffee was free but I had one break in the morning and one in the afternoon, apart from lunch.

I always offer drinks to anyone working in my house or garden. Some accept, some have their own. It wouldn't occur to me to offer any sort of food.

Honestly cannot believe what I am reading. Are builders some kind of underclass sub species? You would expect them to pee in a bottle rather than use your loo?

Truly, this is one of the nastiest things I’ve ever read.

I honestly could not even imagine thinking this was acceptable and I would be mortified if anyone thought they couldn’t/shouldn’t ask to use our loo. And I have a lovely home which I keep like a show home largely. And guess what? It can be wiped over after them if it’s a bit dirty.