How Often To Make Tea For Workmen?

[Cloverjo]

Daft question. (Well, we are in CB)
I’ve had workmen in my house for some days and there will be a few more for a while. They seem to love their tea. I don’t drink it myself so am not in the habit of just putting the kettle on throughout the day. How often is enough to keep them happy but not seem like a maid or waitress pandering to them?

[Cloverjo]

Lol ael.
They get the second best mugs.

[zebo]

Not the Royal Doulton with the hand-painted periwinkles then??
I usually offer a drink when they've been here for an hour or so, if I'm going out I will leave the tea/coffee etc out and say Help yourself.

[woofgang]

I just set it all up, tell them where it is and let them get on with it.

[The Builder]

I think BM's suggestion near the top of the thread is a good one if you're going to do it.

It should be a bonus, a gesture, not an obligation. Tradesmen can be a suspicious lot. Too much attention can sometimes be taken as "spying on progress."

These days, they, particularly sub-contractors, tend to raid the local shop before they get to you. The junk-fodder they load up with is unbelievable.

One on arrival; one around 10:30 for "Popmaster" on R2; maybe lunchtime; then maybe afternoon tea. It's always well received and appreciated.

If it's only one or two guys, then biccies if you like. Any more than that and you'll need bulk-buying.

As Tony said; be careful if they're on daywork (so much an hour). That could be a lot of downtime at your expense. Although, once someone is into their work, they often drink their tea "on-the-fly".

You sound like a good customer to have Jo ;o)

[The Builder]

Almost forgot... Woofter's suggestion is what I've always preferred.
Get extra milk in, show them the kettle etc and leave them to it.

They won't take advantage, especially if they're on a price.

[cupid04]

When we were having a new kitchen fitted a few years ago the workmen had so many cups of tea it burnt our kettle out...

[The Builder]

I've mentioned this before, but it's worth re-visiting.

My colleague and I were doing a lot of work on a house while the owners went on holiday. After a couple of weeks I got a text.

"How's it going?"
"All fine, except......... run out of biccies"

A text came back, direct from a beach in Cyprus.

"Bottom cupboard, behind the Corn Flakes"

Excellent ;o)

[TonyV]

Cupid lol hope you took it of the bill?

[jennyjoan]

My friend who is obsessed with her house ie getting work done - asked me "was I a feeder". I instinctively knew what she meant. Yes I'm a big feeder. Sometimes if a workman stayed on longer - I would make dinner. Otherwise I make loads a tea for them and maybe sandwiches or scones threw in.

My friend went mad - no no I'm not a feeder. Get them (workmen) and get them out again. No tea nothing.

Once I made a pot of stew (I was working at the time) and I left a note to my workman telling him to heat some stew up. When i came home from work I asked - did you not take the stew - I left you a note. Ach JJ - I can't read. Sad.

[TonyV]

Another smile Builder Thanks. Some of the places I worked on in London were astounding, as were some of the sights lads saw. But then marble was £100 per square metre before you even started laying it/

[ubasses]

Roofers re-felting part of our roof have just left. We offered when they arrived, if we were in, elevensies, lunch time, and around 3 pm. If we were out I left everything on the work surface and told them to help themselves.
They certainly didn't abuse it. No biccies, we rarely have any.

[The Builder]

I know we're going off topic here Tony but, hey, builders do love to talk.
I had a granite top made up for a renovation job one time. The client is a surgeon. He loved to cook, so he asked for it to be shaped like a nephrotic kidney. (Sort of bloated kidney shape.)

He wanted it so that he could stand in the cut-out bit of the kidney, with everything around him, and the hob right in front.

[The Builder]

Ubasses... you sound like the ideal customer.

Tony and I shall be there next tuesday

[ubasses]

I'll let you know next time I need any work done Builder. :-)

[TonyV]

Well Builder client is King?
You just give client what they want. Sounds quite ergonomic though.
We did a large job at a London station and they flew to Italy to make sure the stone was the right colour when it was just mined before it was cut for laying. Had to have lots of fossils in it.

[pixie374]

I'm generally in and out with work, so I show them where everything is and suggest they help themselves. If I am in and making one for myself, then I offer then too.

[TonyV]

To get back on topic.
Clover how did work get on today?