Feeding workmen

Oh I do wish Gabriella was still on here!

She would certainly feed them!
She used to give delivery drivers a snack !

An interesting poster who is much missed on here.

I usually just offer drinks (hot or cold) biscuits and a slice of my homemade cake.
However, one workman asked me how much it would be? Confused I said there was no charge. He then went on to tell me that one lady offered to make him sandwiches etc and asked him what he would like in them. When he gave her his bill she deducted £5 per sandwich and £2 per cup of coffee. He was there over a week!.

Same here, topcat. I have always made coffee for window cleaner, grasscutter, but at the start of lockdown they both said they were bringing a flask, and would prefer payment online.
I must admit that with my mobility problems I find it a relief not to have to make coffee and find my purse...we can still have a socially distanced chat through the doorway.

In my experience of workman over the years is the better you treat them, the better they will do their job. The man who fitted a kitchen once told me he was asked to fit some wardrobes, but the lady of the house told him he would have to access the bedroom by ladder as she didn’t want workmen in the house. He declined the job. Just treat them as you would like to be treated.

I found it pretty tiring feeding endless tea and coffee all prepared on my desk in the sitting room which was my temporary food place.

I had 2 men working in my garden for a few days and I offered them hot food which they declined and they had their lunch break in the local fast food place.
Then the day I had a large pot of vegetable soup simmering on the hob they commented on the lovely smell.
They enjoyed a bowl for lunch in the garden. Then the big burly middle aged man returned the bowls to the kitchen and his lip was quivering. He said it was just like his Mum’s soup and he’d not tasted anything that came close since she died.
I was quite touched by his comment.
(Hopefully it was a compliment and his mum’s soup wasn’t awful!)

Topcat7 yes, we are having word done soon and I was wondering about that. Where did you find that piece of information?

Feed, continually, Its the best (only)? way to ensure that they will go that extra mile - if and when it should be needed. Oh, and for them to remember you and your job in the future, very useful in case of future problems.
Happy fitters = excellent job.

During these horrid covid-9 times we are not supposed to offer anything to workmen including tea and coffee. We are getting our bathrooms done shortly and have been told we can offer unopened pre-packed food e,g, biscuits but they will bring their own flasks of tea or coffee.

My experience is that they bring their own lunch but expect you to provide copious cups of tea and plenty of biscuits.

I usually offer food at lunchtime but they always have their own. I do give biscuits with tea/coffee which is always appreciated.

pantglas2 so glad you rephrased that!????. I was going to ask you for your workmen's address!???????

My partner used to be a bathroom fitter and I always packed a lunch box. One couple though, ate a hot meal at lunchtime and my partner was fed a hot meal with them everyday for a fortnight. They insisted and I was relieved of lunch box duties. It was great and my partner was very grateful. He’s never forgotten their kindness

My DH was a builder - he always appreciated tea/coffee/cold drinks/biscuits but never expected to be fed, he always carried his own packed lunch.

I think drinks and maybe biscuits are fine and polite to offer. Not sure about anything substantial I suppose depends on individual. Tanith you have very lucky grandsons ,that all sounds rather delicious ?

No food, biscuits and coffee of course.

The plumber yesterday asked (politely) if he could heat up his burger bun in the microwave. Of course. Although the thought of a microwaved
burger bun turns me right off!

They go to the chippy for their lunch in my experience

Drinks yes, biscuits, maybe, if it's a long job, like kitchen remodelling etc. Actual meals, or even sanddwiches:no.
I haven't had work done during the lockdown, but thought that we were advised that workmen should bring their own drinks etc.

I always offer food. 9 times out of 10 they say no but I do find that they are more amiable and friendly if I feed them. They way to a man's heart is his stomach etc etc.

I don't know how anyone could not give a workman tea, coffee, cold drinks & biscuits when doing work for you. But I have seen it where I live...I have taken drinks out to workmen working on other houses when they have not been offered by the owners ... it does not seem to shame the owners.

I never feed workmen. Tea, coffee and biscuits are offered.
I once had an elderly decorator who brought a miniature picnic hamper with flask and a small radio, he asked me if it would be okay for him to listen to the cricket while he worked. My goodness he was a breath of fresh air, such a change from the builders with the loud music.
My sister is a feeder, she invites her workmen to a sit down lunch.

Have workmen in at present, always make them tea ,coffee or cold drinks ( actually tell them to help themselves to cold drinks from fridge) they are working in the kitchen.
Always leave full tin of biscuits for them to help themselves to
This seems to work for us.
They always have lunch but bring that themselves

Coffee or tea, if it's hot squash or water.... and biscuits, if there are more than one and are here for the day a whole packet, usually chocolate. I have been known to make a toasted sandwich occasionally, but usually they arrive with a lunchbox.

No need to offer lunch or sandwiches. Tea and biscs and maybe a piece of cake if you are having it is more than enough. Re making sandwiches. Why don't youmake them before the workmen arrive = put them in a cool box until needed. This way you do not disrupt the workers

Thanks everyone for your kind replies it looks as if I’m doing the same as the majority of you, I don’t feel like a meanie now ?