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.

Thank you. They get paid alot here too, but it is a hard job and I just like to offer them something. They don't take many breaks usually.

Why doesn't he want to do it? Is money tight?

If not I'd ignore him. A few biscuits is a nice gesture.

😂hey I make homemade tiffin and I'm not posh!! I do think people can be tight though, and usually this is why they have money. Our nbrs have so much more money than we do, but we are stuck paying the full lot. This is for a whole new thread though!

If they're starting early, a mid-morning sausage or bacon sarnie or tea and toast would be a decent gesture. They'll be working intensively by the sounds and it never hurts to keep good tradesmen on side. If it's sweltering I'd also have some ice lollies in the freezer. On their last day I'd probably offer some cakes in the afternoon. Your husband sounds as tight as a duck's.

Buying snacks isn't a problem, I think dh was annoyed with the plasterers, and projecting that on jobs going forward

Had builders for months and months.
always offered a coffee first thing and a coffee in the afternoon when I was taking my lunch, they had a portaloo so that bit not an issue.
I refilled water bottles for them and I did one time share some doughnuts. They were lovely.

I think "tiffin" in the posh sense means something other than the (delicious) rocky road thing. Something from the British army in India I think. Maybe a snack box?

I always supply tea/coffee/biscuits as a minimum and dependent on who they are/how long for and what times they are there I’ll often making bacon toasties

I will be putting out a good selection of biscuits, choc bars, crisps.They will start 8am. I won't be making breakfast, I don't eat it myself, there is 3/4 men so it'll be abit much. I have kids to get ready for school.
I figure they'll eat before they arrive like any other profession, or bring It.
It is a 2 day fencing job, not a extension etc. Is full meals the done thing for this kind of job?

My husband has a building company. His crew bring their own drinks/ lunch. They usually leave the site park up somewhere to eat/ smoke/ vape in the van. For a 2 day outside job, I wouldn't be offering drinks & snacks unless you want it to turn into a 4 day job.

I'd always offer biscuits and/or crisps to builders as well as tea and coffee. Obviously you don't have to, but it's a nice gesture. My mum gives them massive slabs of homemade cake!

Using the toilet, yes of course, unless it's a long build and a portaloo needs to be brought in. I have offered tea coffee in the past i I'm making one for me but no, I'm not feeding them. My mil on the other hand would be spending up at M&S to feed them.

Most workmen will bring sandwiches flasks or nip to a bakers to have breakfast. I wouldn't over think bacon sandwiches!

@Magnificentkitteh sorry, yes, not actual chocolate tiffin, but a meal/snack called tiffin, if that makes sense!

Aghast at the people who don't like/don't let tradesmen use their loo.

Thank you. Yes, we have lots of places near by. I am happy to provide plenty of snacks, but not meals for 3/4 men. I have kids to get ready for school and things to get on with. The company is paid for the job at the end, so no risk of it taking too long.

I make tea coffee/ water/ soft drink but that’s it. Most builders have their own food or go to the local cafe.

Thank you @Mrsjayy imo hospitality is a must, but there is a balance on being OTT as well, and making the men feel awkward. If I was making myself something I would ask, but even then, an additional 4 lots of bacon sandwiches is a lot. I will be dealing with my kids. Plenty of refreshments and snacks will be provided though.

Oh and yes of course I let them use the loo otherwise you might find they’ll do it in your garden when you’re not looking.

My builder came and asked for a bag of crisps this morning…

Definitely not full meals, but a hot sandwich - or an ice lolly, weather depending - was always very welcomed when we had building works. They'll definitely bring their own food, but it's a nice gesture to offer some extras.

Yanbu!
we live next to a bakery and if we’ve got workmen in I’ll ask them if they’d like a pasty or doughnut etc.
doesn’t hurt to be thoughtful.

Yes, I'll give snacks but no meals. I would feel abit like my granny ( now passed god love her soul) over offering! I'll have a pick and mix help yourself.

Doughnuts Is a good idea, knowing my luck they'll all be on a health kick, and we'll be stuck with them!

I'm on the right track with the crisps than 😂