Do I need to buy lunch for contractors?

[KennesawNemo]

We currently have a contractor and his crew working in my new home for paint. Later will have others to work on floor and bathroom.

We haven't moved into the house yet and have given house keys to them, so we are not there everyday.

I've stocked the pantry with cases of bottle water, chips, cookies, and energy bars. I've told the contractor these are for them.

My questions is do I need to provide lunch to them? If not on a everyday base, then do I need to buy lunch for them if I happen to be there during lunch time? I just want to follow the common practice, like you generally tip 18-20% in a restaurant. Thank you!

 

[ironpig70]

I am in the trades and no its not customary to feed us or provide us with snacks yet we sure do appreciate them.

 

[tOSU]

You have gone above & beyond already.

 

[KennesawNemo]

I am in the trades and no its not customary to feed us or provide us with snacks yet we sure do appreciate them.

You have gone above & beyond already.

Thank you both.

When I first came to US, I don't know the tipping practice. I thought 10% is a good tip and did that for a long time. I now feel really bad. So whenever there is a doubt, I will make sure I ask.

 

[lizabu]

My husband is a sub contractor and its rare for a homeowner to do anything. If you offer coffee or water they will be very grateful but its not expected. He has had homeowners who would not even allow him or his crew to use the bathroom and he has been told to pick a paper cup out of the garbage bin outside and take it with him. Compared to these kinds of people I'm sure you would be a dream to work with.

 

[Christine]

You've done more than enough already. No contractor expects lunch, food, or water. However, I always think it's a nice gesture, everyone once in awhile, to provide a lunch. A coworker of mine was having his kitchen remodeled and the contractors were there for 3 months, so when he was off work and at home, he'd always go out and get them sandwiches.

Now for a simple paint job or something like that, I probably wouldn't. But, if you are having them long-term, I think it's good to do something nice like that.

 

[eliza61]

I am in the trades and no its not customary to feed us or provide us with snacks yet we sure do appreciate them.

This. I'm not in the trades but you know, when I had the gentlemen in putting in a new floor and building me a new closet. I appreciated them.

If I was home, I did not mind spending 25 bucks and springing for a few pizzas.

They were doing a great job, were neat and friendly and gave me lots of tips

 

[Tinkermommy]

We always provide water/drinks to contractors especially if they are working outside or in the attic.

We have also bought them beer at the end of the day or one time I took out cold watermelon. They guys always seem to appreciate something.

 

[Micca]

Sounds like you've been very accommodating already considering you're not even on the premises. If I were present while they were doing work I would offer to get some pizzas or sandwiches just to be nice and because...it couldn't hurt. These workers are human, and if they had a chance to do work that is "acceptable" or "excellent" I want them in the right frame of mind. If I am underestimating their work ethic, making the workday pleasant is still a nice thing to do.

We used to have a guy that was sort of a jack-of-all-trades do work for us. He could do a lot of different things and at a fraction of the cost of his competitors.
We always bought him lunch, usually a case of beer, and sometimes threw on an extra $50 bucks or so just he'd come back "next time." We've moved out of state and I really miss that guy.

 

[ronandannette]

I am in the trades and no its not customary to feed us or provide us with snacks yet we sure do appreciate them.

I manage a staff of technicians who perform warranty work in people's homes. A great percentage of our clientele are from ethnic heritages where hospitality is very important part of their culture. Our guys, by company policy, are "required" to politely accept anything they're offered (whether or not they acutally consume it) and a lot of it is much more frightening than cookies and bottled water!!

 

[tvguy]

Things like water are common courtesy. Cookies okay, but a full lunch would seem a little over the top. No offense, but with what contractors charge around here, maybe they should buy ME lunch.

 

[usnuzuloose]

No you don't need to provide lunch. I do offer people who come in for certain things, I will offer them water or soda. We have a business and people give my DH stuff to drink and he appreciates it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think, where you are not actually home, I would say no. Snacks and water are good.

Twice recently I've made different contractors lunch and they really appreciated it. Last week it was so hot, they loved coming in in the AC. They ate everything, too, and put all their dirty dishes in the sink.

 

[shoney]

The other day, some friends and I. were in the pool ,when my fence contractor decided to replace some of my fence. He didn't call, so we didn't know he would be there.

We were in the pool and it was time for lunch. I hopped out and offered the 3 fence workers lunch...they accepted.

It was only hotdogs and potato salad

I could not have grilled hot dogs in front of them and not offered....that would have been rude.

If I were in the house the whole time, I wouldn't have offered a turkey sandwich from the kitchen

I would say NO you do not need to provide lunch "under normal circumstances!"


****Cold drinks were provided and would have under both scenarios****

 

[mmouse37]

We always provide at least cold drinks for people working for us....I usually bake brownies or cookies as well. If they are going to be there all day we will pick up sandwiches or pizza for them. Everyone always appreciates it and are usually surprised as they say the majority of people they work for don't.

We don't feel we have to but we like to.

MJ

 

[Dancind]

DH is now a one man crew, jack of all trades guy, after years of having his own contracting business. He does a lot of work for repeat customers, but always takes his own drinks etc. One of the couples is elderly and treats him like a son. He eats better over there than he does at home!

But no, it really isn't expected.