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Do you feed traders working in your home

(106 Posts)
ClicketyClick Wed 19-Nov-25 19:06:06

I have a plumber and his mates in today and for next few days putting in a new boiler and other bits. As it was so very cold today I also gave them bacon cobs to help warm them up. They had brought their own sandwiches but I would have felt guilty doing hot food for just me today. Now I don't know if I should provide something hot tomorrow other than the usual drinks & biscuits. What would you do?

Bukkie Thu 20-Nov-25 09:09:07

Tea, coffee and biscuits. Cold drinks on hot days are always appreciated too. We have had many traders saying who grateful they are because they go to many houses were nothing is offered all day.

keepcalmandcavachon Thu 20-Nov-25 09:02:07

Yes, always offer. Bacon popular!

NotSpaghetti Thu 20-Nov-25 08:43:36

I do also do hot drinks (or cold) in thd heat by the way.
My earlier post seemed to imply I do nothing in the heat!

Sara1954 Thu 20-Nov-25 06:56:47

Just tea, most seem to refuse these days anyway, they bring their own drinks
I try to be out when they’re around, I have a chap working here at the moment who I like very much, we get on and have some good chats, but I still feel awkward when I’m home, and he’s working.

Esmay Thu 20-Nov-25 03:57:32

They are such an unreliable and touchy lot where I live that I always stuff them full of food.
Plenty of tea coffee,cakes and biscuits and if anyone wants a sandwich I'll make one .
Even so one off them walked off a job .
I think that they say yes to lots of jobs and pick and choose .

windmill1 Thu 20-Nov-25 03:50:30

Just the usual tea and biccies. They can go out at lunchtime and buy a pie. They should NOT expect a client to run a free canteen.

NotSpaghetti Thu 20-Nov-25 01:39:49

I do hot drinks in the cold but don't normally offer food other than biscuits.

BUT if a loaf or some bread rolls come out of the oven you can guarantee the smell will be commented on and they will enjoy a "trial" slice or two with butter and jam/honey/marmite!

Allira Wed 19-Nov-25 22:14:34

Tea, coffee and lots of biscuits.

I did make toast when one mentioned the toast I'd made for myself looked good and he'd missed breakfast.
They sat in their van for their lunch.

nanna8 Wed 19-Nov-25 22:09:02

Just a cup of tea or coffee but most refuse. They usually bring their own.

Jaxjacky Wed 19-Nov-25 21:59:37

We know most of the tradesmen used, so yes, bacon butty is the only cooked food, wrapped chocolate biscuits, provide tea, coffee etc and let them help themselves.

crazyH Wed 19-Nov-25 21:55:02

I always do sandwiches for them, lunchtime and tea and biscuits, on tap ….

TerriBull Wed 19-Nov-25 21:51:59

their own not there

TerriBull Wed 19-Nov-25 21:50:57

Coffee, tea, biscuits. There have been occasions when I've done some toast/toasted cheese sandwich. Cold drinks if it's very hot. If they're on there own, we're both out I show them where it all is and tell them to help themselves.

HeavenLeigh Wed 19-Nov-25 21:48:17

I always offer tea or coffee and biscuits

Mel1967 Wed 19-Nov-25 21:44:11

No.
No tea, coffee or food.
I’m paying them to do a job, not eat & drink

Harris27 Wed 19-Nov-25 21:42:24

I offer tea coffee biscuits on tap.

paddyann54 Wed 19-Nov-25 21:37:11

I always have home made soup available and make sandwiches to go with it.A happy/fed worker will work better

ClicketyClick Wed 19-Nov-25 21:10:41

Thanks everyone. Normally I don't do hot food but I felt so sorry for them. Two were working on the roof for a while putting venting in. It was down to 3 degrees temp and we'd had snow so they were very grateful for the hot food. They will be back another time to do other work so I just don't want them to think it's a given that I will provide food. As suggested, I'll get some nice chocolate biscuits / cake tomorrow. I'll be glad to get some warmth again as the electric heater I was falling back on decided to die just when needed. Typical lol

lixy Wed 19-Nov-25 20:57:16

I always offer tea or coffee when they arrive and then when I’m making one for me. Biscuits alongside of course!

We don’t use sugar so I have found the sachets collected from coffees out very useful for visitors.

I haven’t offered a snack/meal ever, though ice creams were appreciates by the bricklayers when it was very hot. I set up a gazebo with table and chairs so they could have a break in the shade too.

Doodledog Wed 19-Nov-25 20:57:15

I leave out a tray with biscuits, cups, kettle, coffee, sugar and cafetière, point at the fridge for the milk and leave them to it.

M0nica Wed 19-Nov-25 20:50:56

Just tea and coffee. Although DD reports that a box of chocolate biscuits goes down a treat and keeps the tradesmen sweet (sorry - sort of)

Georgesgran Wed 19-Nov-25 20:40:50

Hot/cold drinks - whatever they want, always Kit-Kats.
I’ve done bacon or sausage sandwiches too.

BlueBelle Wed 19-Nov-25 20:00:41

No food …coffee tea and biscuits
No one has ever fed me at work nor would I expect them to 🤣

JamesandJon33 Wed 19-Nov-25 19:59:30

Just a tea or coffe and a Kit Kat or similar. Slice of homemade cake goes down a treat also

Sago Wed 19-Nov-25 19:57:55

If I feel comfortable with someone then yes I will always make a bacon butty, there are often homemade cakes too.

Our old roofer once came with an apprentice we hadn’t met, when I offered them a bacon butty the apprentice said “ these must be the nice people you were telling me about”.

Apart from a misogynistic decorator and a very dodgy roofer we have always been really lucky with everyone that has come into our various homes to work.