Contractor wants donuts? (do you provide refreshments?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a lot of work done on our house a few years ago. Every month or so, I'd spring for pizza or tacos for the whole crew. They really appreciated it.

I don't think it's great that they asked, but a couple of donuts isn't a big deal. If you don't have time to get them, give them a gift card so they can pick up on the way to work.

I mean, they are building your house. I would put in the $20 extra dollars to keep them happy and not mess up anything that they are working on because they are mad. Fair? Probably not, but not worth the trouble IMO.

They aren't building her house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um, no.

If your husband wants to get them donuts, that's fine. But it's weird that they asked. (Is it possible they said it as a joke when your husband asked if they needed anything?)

That would be much less strange. I would be kind of put off if a contractor just asked for donuts out of the blue.

[Anonymous]

I got donuts once for a long term project (we were not living there so they didn't see me much) and they were grateful I think? But I realized they were much more into healthy food and not donuts. May have just been this particular crew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a lot of work done on our house a few years ago. Every month or so, I'd spring for pizza or tacos for the whole crew. They really appreciated it.

I don't think it's great that they asked, but a couple of donuts isn't a big deal. If you don't have time to get them, give them a gift card so they can pick up on the way to work.

I mean, they are building your house. I would put in the $20 extra dollars to keep them happy and not mess up anything that they are working on because they are mad. Fair? Probably not, but not worth the trouble IMO.

They aren't building her house.

OH FFS they are working on the basement - thanks semantics hall monitor. Wiring, drywall, whatever. I am sure it is a huge investment in whatever renovation they are doing and these workers have the ability to mess it up and there is nothing they can do down the line when and if they discover a problem in 6 months, a year. That is all I was trying to convey. As someone who worked with contractors quite a bit, I know what I am talking about. JEEZ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're having the basement of our house worked on. Different subs are in and out, but there are two guys who work for our GC who are at the house 2-3 days per week. On Friday, one of them told my husband that it would be nice to have donuts.

I told my husband that I couldn't handle going to Dunkin or Krispy Kreme and circling back on top of the usual morning routine and maybe he could handle it...but I was a little irritated that the guy said that in the first place. Are people providing refreshments for workers? If I wasn't working an office job (work from home ended last month for us), perhaps I'd feel more inclined because I'd interact with them more, but I was surprised by the comment.

They have to realize that they don't have a stay-at-home client, so I think it's a weird expectation. Adults can feed themselves and shouldn't require treats to do their jobs.

[Anonymous]

If they asked me for donuts, I'd deliver them a fruit platter just to be petty.

[Anonymous]

You really don't have to do this. Was it a joke?

I got doughnuts and coffee for a tree crew doing a complicated outdoor one-day job in freezing weather, but not for the carpenter who did my kitchen. He's a professional, his work conditions are pleasant, and he can go out and get lunch/snacks if he wants.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like your husband said “can we get you anything?” So just have him say “no” or have him pick up donuts some time. Either way it’s not your problem - it was his thing.

[Anonymous]

I got lunch for the movers, but I asked them what they wanted. It made it faster than if they had gone out and they were happy (pizza). Plus I had time while they were packing the truck.

[Anonymous]

We offered lunch for our roofers who were here all day two days in a row, they politely declined so we tipped them extra at the end. Good work is hard to find OP, just get the donuts lol.

[Anonymous]

No. This is weird

[Anonymous]

Get them donuts, and let them use your bathroom.

[Anonymous]

We’ve had a lot of workers here recently, working outdoors, and we provided tons of drinks but no food. We set up chairs for them to take breaks in the shade, throw in water and Gatorade, everyone seemed to appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're having the basement of our house worked on. Different subs are in and out, but there are two guys who work for our GC who are at the house 2-3 days per week. On Friday, one of them told my husband that it would be nice to have donuts.

I told my husband that I couldn't handle going to Dunkin or Krispy Kreme and circling back on top of the usual morning routine and maybe he could handle it...but I was a little irritated that the guy said that in the first place. Are people providing refreshments for workers? If I wasn't working an office job (work from home ended last month for us), perhaps I'd feel more inclined because I'd interact with them more, but I was surprised by the comment.

Yes. Especially if it is an all day job, you supply bottled water and lunch. I give a heads up I'm ordering lunch in case they don't want any. Sometimes they just want to leave for a break. I guess your guys prefer donuts. Can't you buy day before?

[Anonymous]

God no. I just did 100 K renovation and never purchased donuts for anybody