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Original poster

What do you provide for workmen?

56 replies

NewGardenProject · 23/04/2022 13:06

We bought a fixer upper and have had various bits of work done in the last 6 months. The latest (and most expensive to date) has been replacing all the fences in the garden. The workmen are here again today hopefully finishing.

I have been offering a coffee when they first arrive and generally bring another one out about 11am with a plate of biscuits. I was making bacon sarnies and was going to offer them one but DP said that was weird and that they would have brought their own lunch.

My question is what’s the appropriate level of refreshment to offer tradespeople when they are at your house doing work?

I don’t want to come across as stingy as we like these builders and would like them to do work for us again in the future.

OP posts:
TheDuchessOfMN · 23/04/2022 13:13

I used to make sandwiches etc, but these days (rare that we would have tradesmen though) I only offer a tea or coffee.

I had a painter recently and was on an already stretched budget, I just couldn’t possibly have fed him on top of it. He didn’t expect it anyway, he brought his lunch from day 1.
I told him he was free to use the kettle as much as he wanted, and where the tea & coffee are

We did have a man once and used to ask him to stay for dinner, but he was a friend of DH’s

Houseplantmad · 23/04/2022 13:19

A kettle and tea/coffee. Our last lots has their coffee delivered by Deliveroo throughout the day so I didn't bother.

Favourodds · 23/04/2022 13:19

Nothing. We had builders for 6 months and I didn't do anything.

I don't drink hot drinks, I had no intention of getting into the habit of making hot drinks for them for the next however many months. I assumed they know how kettles work. If they wanted biscuits, there's a shop near my house.

They said I was their favourite customer ever (and appeared to mean it!) so my lack of hospitality didn't seem to matter 🤷🏼‍♀️

ILoveShula · 23/04/2022 13:22

A portaloo. I'm a MNer and wouldn't want my lav sullied

redbigbananafeet · 23/04/2022 13:22

Tea/coffee when they arrive. Yea/coffee/can of juice about 11 with a packet of unwrapped biscuits or chocolate bar and then about 1.30 a roll and square sausage one day and a roll and bacon the next.

Throwawaytoday · 23/04/2022 13:24

I leave a tray of tea, coffee (instant, but nicw quality, not naice), biscuits (unopened) and orange squash by the kettle.

vdbfamily · 23/04/2022 13:25

We had solar panels fitted this week and when I got home at 6.30 pm they still had a fair bit too do. I knew they both had at least an hour drive home so made them some fish and chips. ( However, the business is owned by a cousin of mine and ones of the workman was the child of a second cousin so I wanted to look after him!!)
Normally drinks and biscuits aplenty would be normal.

Sux2buthen · 23/04/2022 13:26

Work

Sux2buthen · 23/04/2022 13:27

That was a joke, I can't afford workmenGrin

Thatsveryimportant · 23/04/2022 13:30

They are there to work not to be mamby pambied around, give them nothing they can sort themselves out the more you interact the less they work.

Original poster
NewGardenProject · 23/04/2022 13:37

Thatsveryimportant · 23/04/2022 13:30

They are there to work not to be mamby pambied around, give them nothing they can sort themselves out the more you interact the less they work.

This seems a little harsh.

A mixture and it seems like I am falling in the middle which is good. I do think if you can afford to have work done you can probably afford the odd teabag or Nespresso pod!

OP posts:
Itsbackagain · 23/04/2022 13:40

Tea and coffee all day plus a roll at lunchtime - sausage/egg/bacon just like another poster said. Take care of your workmen and they'll appreciate it.

Original poster
NewGardenProject · 23/04/2022 13:59

I have just taken them all out another drink. Is it weird to tip your builders? These guys worked Good Friday, BH Monday and are here today and it’s been a massive job 🤔

OP posts:
RockinHorseShit · 23/04/2022 15:16

Tea, coffee & a slice of homemade cake.

The cake stopped when I realised that the cheeky fuckers who weren't working on our house that day, we're all popping back to our house for their tea break Hmm

AWOL66 · 23/04/2022 15:27

I've had all your questions before myself. I discussed it with tradesmen in my family and came to the conclusion it's good to offer a tea or coffee (and biscuits if they're nice) when they arrive and tell them to help themselves to tea and coffee and offer again at some point but they usually bring a flask anyway and their own food. They'd never expect sandwiches etc. Not necessary or expected to get a tip but is good to say you'll give a good review and to say you'll reccommend them if they did a good job

RidingMyBike · 23/04/2022 15:32

We've always provided tea/coffee, squash (builder's son didn't drink hot drinks) and biscuits.

When we had building work done before moving in we left a kettle in the house and there was a working fridge. I topped up tea/coffee/sugar/biscuit supplies each weekend and left a pint of milk on the Mon, then they'd bring in milk the rest of the week.

I've never provided meals.

Riverlee · 23/04/2022 15:33

Tea/coffee on arrival. Later drinks I offer biscuits or cakes (whatever I have in).

Wouldn’t routinely offer sandwiches, although might if I was feeling generous.

orangeisthenewpuce · 23/04/2022 15:37

I leave tea, coffee, milk, sugar and biscuits beside the kettle and leave them to get on with it.

WhereTheBodiesAre · 23/04/2022 15:37

The last time we had a few in to do some
work, I offered a cold bottles of San Pelligrino sparkling water, canned Lavazza Cappuccinos and home made oat raisin biscuits. (I keep the biscuits in the freezer)

They were bemused (and one laughed) but that’s what we’ve got in stock so that’s what was offered! Smile

CMOTDibbler · 23/04/2022 15:39

If I'm making a drink I offer, otherwise nothing. If there are any biscuits I'd offer them, but we rarely have any in.

FourChimneys · 23/04/2022 15:43

Tea or coffee when they arrive. A tin of assorted home made cookies, topped up regularly. Access to a kettle with tea bags, milk, sugar etc.

I assume they will sort lunch out themselves, but they are welcome to use whichever toilet they are nearest too. I don't understand the MN preciousness about toilets.

SweetNcrunchy · 23/04/2022 15:46

Depends how long the job is - for a quick job lasting a day or 2 i make tea/coffee on arrival, about 11am, then about 2pm and 4pm.

If a long job taking weeks/months, then i make a Tea Making Station type thing with a cheapo kettle, mugs, spoons etc out in the garage. I buy fresh milk and a new pack of biscuits per day and the mugs go in the dishwasher every night.

SweetNcrunchy · 23/04/2022 15:47

When it absolutely scorching last summer i bought our builders nice ice lollies too.

Chaoslatte · 23/04/2022 15:51

I offer tea/coffee and biscuits and they very rarely even take me up on that. They usually go out and get lunch from Tesco/McDonald’s etc.

Ifailed · 23/04/2022 15:53

A hot drink when they arrive just seems like basic manners, I'd offer the same to anyone who was coming to my house in the morning. After that, if I'm in and it's easy to do I'll offer to make them a drink a couple of times in the day, otherwise I'd leave out a tray and some biscuits and let them get on with it.

During some kitchen work in winter a while back I offered to pick up something hot to eat at dinner time, for me as much as for them. It kept them on site, gave us all a hot meal, and it was something they appreciated, a few portions of pie and chips (etc.) was peanuts compared to the final bill!