Providing food and drinks for contractors

What is the etiquette on this? We just bought a house and are gutting the entire kitchen. The basement has a fridge which I stocked with bottled waters and granola bars. I told the guys to help themselves to water and snacks in the basement fridge but I don't think they did.

Since my kitchen on the first floor is gutted, I can't really make them anything or brew coffee even. Plus, we won't be home while they do work. I took a day off for today so I happened to be there.

What does everyone else do?

Re: Providing food and drinks for contractors

I supplied water because it would get pretty hot. And that was tap water. I filled a huge cooler with water and ice and they would take it from there.
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They always bought their own lunch. As they should. It's a work site.

Re: Providing food and drinks for contractors

Definitely not expected, although some homeowners do it.

DH and his guys bring lunch or go out for.

Re: Providing food and drinks for contractors

we usually put a little cooler near their worksite with bottled water/soda/Gatorade and they help themselves. We usually buy them lunch 1x a week or so depending on how long the project is... (however, DH works from home and usually gets something for lunch himself, so it would be awkward to run out for pizza and not really offer them any, ever)

I think that a contractor may feel weird going into your fridge, but if you leave a little cooler where ever they are working, I think they would feel more comfortable taking some....

Providing food and drinks for contractors

If they're nice we get pizza or donuts with Gatorade. If they aren't we don't do anything.

Re: Providing food and drinks for contractors

When we did a huge remodel every once in awhile we provided them with lunch. they were welcome to the drinks in the fridge but usually brought there own.

Re: Providing food and drinks for contractors

When my parents had theirs done, they filled a cooler with ice and waters and left it in the garage for them to help themselves.

They also provided the big assortment bags of chips. They were appreciative.

Re: Providing food and drinks for contractors

My mom and I have always given guys water bottles throughout the day and order pizza for them more days then not.

Providing food and drinks for contractors

We always set up a cooler with bottles of water and will usually order pizza for the guys - but we have only had contractors in for projects that took a few days each, at most. We haven't yet had any large projects where the workers were there for several weeks at a time.

Providing food and drinks for contractors

I would definitely provide beverages of some sort, and depending on the length and scope of the work itself, I'd probably spring for food too, maybe pizza/bagels/etc at some point.

Re: Providing food and drinks for contractors

I provide them with drinks and lunch or breakfast.

Re: Providing food and drinks for contractors

Everytime I have offered I have been refused. Maybe once I brought out a pitcher of iced tea. But, they usually bring their own stuff.

Re: Providing food and drinks for contractors