Ottakee Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 We have a contractor and a few of his guys coming to build bulkheads and drywall our basement ceiling. I already told them to help themselves to the water from water cooler in garage and use of bathroom in the basement (stocked with TP, soap and towels). Do you also give out extras like a snack, etc? I will likely be baking tomorrow so though about offering them muffins, cookies, or whatever I bake. Anything else to make this better for them...and us? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 It isn't necessary and it almost certainly won't be expected but if you are baking tomorrow and those smells are wafting through the house I'm certain they would very much appreciate the offer of a baked good. :) 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 In my experience, it has always been appreciated but never expected. Don't feel as if you have to do something every day they're there. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMS83 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 What they said; if I happened to be doing something, I'd share. And I know that customers occasionally give DH stuff, but he works with them for months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted August 11, 2017 Author Share Posted August 11, 2017 Thanks. I certainly can't do it daily as I have to work next week. I figured water and bathroom access were the least I could do. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 It's not necessary or expected. That said, if I happened to be making some cookies or muffins, I'd probably offer them some. Or, if it were extraordinarily hot, I'd probably make some cold lemonade or something for them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 When contractors worked in the cold in our partially finished house, I did take hot apple cider and tea down there. If I was baking I'd leave a plate for them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I usually offer snacks, water, iced tea or coffee. We often offer to buy lunch - if we can't use our kitchen due to the work so we're going out anyway - or make lunch, if we're home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SereneHome Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Arghhh, I don't know if it was a coincidence or what but every time we were extra nice/friendly/giving to anyone working on our house - they did a crappy job. It's like they felt so comfortable, they forgot to do their job. We have ordered pizza for the guys installing our furnace. It was suppose to be a one day job, that turned into months of them coming and going and us either not having heat or thermostat going crazy. I live in New England and had little babies. When I offered water, snacks and vitamins to one of the guys cleaning our carpets - my husband ended up calling their boss and having them come back bc they "forgot" to do two bedrooms. I have more examples... So, next time - I will be cordial but won't offer anything and won't let my husband have any chit chats. We'll see what happens.... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 there's no obligation - but I have found home-baked treats makes for happy contractors - who do better work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 If we have them available, yes. The Gardener just arrived.. When my wife fixes our Breakfasts, I'm sure she will fix Breakfast for him too. If he is still here when we eat Lunch, he will get Lunch. Three months ago today, a bunch of men (approximately 6 or 8) came to our house to install our FTTH (Fiber to the House Internet) and the Satellite TV installation, We bought a bunch of Lunches that were delivered to our house, for them and for us that day. And, I probably went to the bakery and bought snacks and Coke or something that day too. Not a requirement, but probably much appreciated. Sometimes, when we ask, they've brought their Lunch, but we try to keep them content and we want them to do a great job for us. Good luck with your Contractors and the job they do for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momacacia Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Arghhh, I don't know if it was a coincidence or what but every time we were extra nice/friendly/giving to anyone working on our house - they did a crappy job. It's like they felt so comfortable, they forgot to do their job.My mom and I both have this experience. :-/ Idk if we have "sucker" written on our foreheads, or what, but I don't feel this is a situation where being my "usual nice" pays off. Good luck with your project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 That is nice. Im sure they will have lunch and snacks with them though. I offered the guy that installed our hughes net internet a water bottle once and he wasnt allowed to accept it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Never a meal, ever. But yes I have made banana bread or brownies. It's works good to just leave a plate where they are working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 My husband bought the roofers beer. Not for while they were on the roof...but ya know for after. LOL 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Certainly provide a cooler with water, and ask the contractor or foreman about offering more. Over the years I've asked them what they liked, and even got pizza on the last day for them. The contractor we just had do a bathroom told his that they had a policy of not accepting anything other than a cooler of water because it distracted his workers from doing a good job. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artichoke Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I usually offer coffee if they are here early in the morning. I always have a supply of disposable cups on hand for this. That way they can have their coffee and start on their work at the same time. After that I usually eave out a bowl of fruit with some packages of peanut butter crackers and water bottles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted August 11, 2017 Author Share Posted August 11, 2017 Thanks for the input. Today it is just head guy and one worker. They have enjoyed fresh zucchini muffins and cookies. The water cooler is open for them to use as well. There will likely only be 2-3 guys here at a time as it is just bulkheads and then drywall so not a huge project as far as projects go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I offer water. That is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kroe1 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I always feed those who subject themselves to my home. Since I do not cook, I normally take orders about 11 and then run off and grab some to go boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Yell Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 I do not. I can barely afford groceries for my own family, and if we have to spend money for something beyond DIY work, it gets scraped out of the food budget. Water bottles, definitely. But nobody buys DH or DDs lunches, and they get paid far less per hour than the trades workers. No one brought me lunches when I was on my feet all day cutting hair. We all take care of our own lunches. These are workers, not guests. Many years ago, my mom had a guy do concrete steps and sidewalk for us. I swear, half of his estimate was him telling us about how some "nice Italian Granny" had a full hot lunch for them every day. :rolleyes: I don't recall if she bought any food for them, but he was loud and foul-mouthed while working, even doing the estimate, and the steps are crooked and uneven, plus the railing he did was an embarrassment. If he did horrible work because we didn't feed him, then he's a massive butthole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachermom2834 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Feeding a crew would add up quickly. I usually have water bottles but that is it and I only offer that if they don't seem to have a cooler with them. The one time i offered food was to movers. I guess with them handling my stuff I felt more compelled to make them like me. Even that wasn't a meal. I left protein bars and individually wrapped snacks for them in the garage where they were coming and going. The same crew would be unloading at our destination so I really wanted them to take care of our stuff. I remember tipping them well on the loading day figuring they would rather cash than food. I am trying to remember but I think part of the reason for snacks was for them to stay on site and try to get loaded before taking off for lunch. I guess I never feel as vulnerable with workers as I did with the movers and our stuff. That was the one time I remember trying to be extra nice. I will say , also, that one of my pet peeves is having someone in to my home to work and they waste a bunch of time visiting with me. I don't want to encourage chattiness. I just want them to do their job and leave. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherGoose Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 No obligation. Dh works in a similar industry and says his folks are told to not accept any offers like this unless the homeowner insists to the point it would be rude to refuse. I dont offer anything to people working on my house besides a bathroom and an offer of water if it's really hot. (And once towels when they were soaked in a storm.). I'm not rude or mean, but I'm also clear that they are there to work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 It's a nice gesture but not expected. Surprisingly, in some other countries or even working with different cultures, it's expected that you will provide meals, drinks, and snacks for any contractors working in your home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Thanks. I certainly can't do it daily as I have to work next week. I figured water and bathroom access were the least I could do. This is what I would have suggested as something you should provide had you not already mentioned it. The baked goods would be nice to offer but I wouldn't bake just for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 We typically offer cold bottled water. Brought out in a cooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstharr Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Keep it as business like as possible. AsSomebody posted above, the crappiest jobs we we've experienced hasbeen when the s.o. went overboard with the snacks, lunch, conversation. What I tell All trade prople is that I Have several frinds with the same problem who want to know how my guy worked out.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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