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Original poster

how do you make builders make thier own

44 replies

zippitippitoes · 16/02/2006 12:01

tea?

I have put the kettle and teamaking stuff on the washing machine and told them three days ago they could make their own so that they had it when they wanted it but so far they haven't made any

but

once I feel guilty they haven't had it I say would you like some tea they jump at the idea

I am confused

OP posts:

Original poster

zippitippitoes · 17/02/2006 09:40

These don't seem to have a aprticular time

the builder that I know well who has done loads of stuff over the years did have regular breaks at those sort of times but also I knew him and he would tell me to make him tea

would make it himself if we were out

but I have new blood for this job and will be changing subcontractors throughout for each part as no overall builder

did have a builder once who insisted on fresh ground coffee only and used to sit at my kitchen table reading my paper

OP posts:

DaddyCool · 17/02/2006 09:47

i hate this crap. it's such a british thing (no offence). why can't they bring a flask fgs? i find it so unprofessional when these guys ask for hot drinks. pah!

MrsBadger · 17/02/2006 09:51

Mine get offered one cup a day, and a basic biscuit (jaffa cakes kept out of sight!)

DH isn't technically a builder but spends a lot of time on building sites - he puts in swipe card readers, thumbprint scanners etc - and always takes his own thermos. He says it's often more of a break to go and sit in the car than try and swig tea with clients/unfinished work glaring at you...

CoolTurkey - he speaks three languages and has a degree too, but got into it from the IT side (access control software, clocking in databases etc) - realised his subcontractors who did the installs a) earnt more than him, b) had more fun out on site, with clients etc than sat in an office all day and c) were all their own bosses!
He went self-employed in November and it's been hard work, but he is loving it and almost wishes he'd done it straight from school.

golds · 17/02/2006 09:53

My dh always takes a flask of tea with him as some people don't even offer him a cup (stingy devils). you included stitch

Hes working on a job at the moment where the woman brought him up a bacon sandwich and tea, 5 mins after he arrived and the husband said help yourself theres food in the fridge for lunch. Dh would never do this, he wouldn't be so cheeky - even though they offered. he's to busy to stop anyhow.

golds · 17/02/2006 09:57

why do people always think builders are there to rip you off and are thick?? sometimes there are a few dodgy ones around, but I get really cross when they are all tarred with the same brush. My husband is extremely clever at what he does, and I am the envy of most of my friends, because I get akk my jobs done for free.

Whether you go to work in a suit or wear combats covered in tile grout, you are equally as important

Original poster

zippitippitoes · 17/02/2006 10:21

I'm not bashing builders golds, as I said dp has worked as a labourer

OP posts:

DaddyCool · 17/02/2006 10:25

hey, i was a tradesmen back in the day. i was decorator. i still think they should bring a flask and not distrub the clients.

throckenholt · 17/02/2006 13:56

our builders are all a great bunch (some brighter than others). They do bring their own flasks - but with the weather being so cold and wind over the last few months we have kept them topped up with hot drinks

brimfull · 17/02/2006 17:29

I thnk it's the british habit of offering tea/coffee to anyone coming into your house.

It's really awkward when sil comes as she doesn't drink any tea /coffee,only fat coke which we don't have.sorry I digress.....

Cristina7 · 17/02/2006 17:43

Why bring a flask, is it really that difficult to offer a cup of tea? Tea is very cheap nowadays and if you're so stingy then keep some extra cheap ones for such occasions and get out the organic unbleached hemp-based one for when your very special friends come over. I don't think biscuits are needed but a cup of tea?

DH (plumbing and heating engineer, recent conversion from an IT career, only 2 languages, though) only drinks decaf tea & coffee, so he'd quite likely refuse any other offers. He takes his own tea bags but I think he expects some bloody hot water for free from the customer. Given he often repairs their radiators etc to have a warm house I think a warm cup of tea isn't too much.

Cheap beggars!

Cristina7 · 17/02/2006 17:44

BTW we offered our cleaner to make tea or coffee when she comes in (we aren't always at home) but she never does. I think she's just being v polite rather than incapable.

brimfull · 17/02/2006 17:50

I make my cleaner a coffee ,don't see the harm myself.

Cristina7 · 17/02/2006 17:51

Ohh, it's called taking liberties, it is. Keep the domestics in their right place.

Cristina7 · 17/02/2006 17:52

Forgot to add

iota · 17/02/2006 17:55

I always offer builders etc tea or coffee and a selection of biscuits, e.g.choc digestives., which I buy especially for them, as my kids don't really eat biscuits.

I can't believe that anyone is unwilling to spend a few pounds and a few minutes on this hospitality, after all you are spending thousands on the builing work, why not keep the builders happy?

Original poster

zippitippitoes · 17/02/2006 18:12

I was thinking it's a bit more akin to having tea making facilities in your hotel room instead of room service

it's not the cost it's the convenience and timing..for the builders really

OP posts:

Cristina7 · 17/02/2006 18:14

I agree about not offerring to make the tea and coffee, but at least have some there.

Cristina7 · 17/02/2006 19:08

Just back from a day's plumbing and the GLW has pointed me in the direction of this thread.

Is the occasional cup of tea really too much to ask? Or even, whisper it, biscuits? I mean, put it like this - if you treat a builder/electrician/plasterer/plumber with tight-fistedness and condescension then we'll make damn sure we get our dues when the time comes to submit our bill. You should treat a workman with the same courtesy you would extend to any work colleague or, for that matter, any invited guest to your house. And in return you'll be treated with courtesy and respect yourself.

In all the jobs I've ever done there's only been one occasion where I've not been offered a cup of tea (as the GLW says, I often have to decline as caffeine sets me off something shocking). And the couple in question were the most miserable, haughty cows I've ever encountered. If they asked me to come and do more work for them I'd turn them down without a second thought.

Oh, and it's three languages. And a degree.

Cristina7's Old Geezer

Cristina7 · 17/02/2006 19:13

Oh, and to those who even keep the kettle under lock and key when the below stairs classes are around I should add that the Health And Safety At Work Act (1973) requires that employers make sure that staff are provided with a drinking water tap, lavatory facilities and a rest area with facilities for making hot drinks.

Cristina7's Old Geezer.

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