Q: My bathrooms are being renovated, and the workers are here all day long. I don’t want to start serving them, but I find myself sneaking around and feeling guilty when I make myself coffee or lunch. Should I be offering them drinks or food when I’m having some?
A: Here’s a way to think about it that’ll get you off your guilt trip: When you’re at work, your boss doesn’t put out a lunch spread for you. By the same token, contractors don’t expect to be served refreshments, especially lunch. They usually bring their own, and they generally take a break at midday. As a courtesy, you might offer them coffee on occasion, but you don’t have to do even that. Above all, you should feel comfortable functioning in your own house as you normally do.
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I agree with this advice — when contractors are in my home for an all-day (or several hours long) job, I assume they’ve made their own arrangements for lunch. I do offer them cold water though (in summer) or a hot drink (in winter).
Making a pot of coffee or a pitcher of ice water avalible is likely to improve productivity and morale. However, snacks and lunch are by no means required for hired contractors. If the work is being done by friends as a favor you are however required to provide food. If you do desire to provide say donuts or pizza that will likely go over well and could result in their spoending less time to go offsite to get lunch and might be worth it. However, there is absolutely no requirement.
Although for hired workers, beverages or food isn’t required, I still think it would be nice to give them some sort of snack, either mid-morning or mid-afternoon — something like donuts (which I provided when some workers were cutting down some trees for me) or individually wrapped candies (the little Hersheysnack bars or some Nutri-Grain bars in a nice little basket). Everyone appreciates a little snack. This will show your appreciation for their work, adding in some friendliness, and they might even do a better job for you! But I would suggest NOT giving it on the first day if you think they might come to EXPECT something every day.