What to buy for a work day
A work day needs more than tools. You also need a workable setup for crews, safe access to materials, coffee breaks, lunch, and clearing waste at the end. Use the plan below to check what must be bought, borrowed, or brought from storage before people arrive. Count shared equipment by crew rather than by person, and confirm power, workspace, and food requirements at least a few days ahead.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Foldable tablesqty 6
- Folding chairsqty 30
- Waste binsqty 4
Tableware
- Reusable mugsqty 30
- Reusable platesqty 30
- Reusable cutleryqty 30
- Water jugsqty 4
Kitchen
- Thermos flasksqty 4
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
- Serving plattersqty 8
- Storage binsqty 8
Equipment
- Kettlesqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 4
- Power stripsqty 4
- Work lightsqty 4
- Wheelbarrowsqty 3
- Laddersqty 2
- Cordless drill driversqty 4
- Drillsqty 2
- Sanding machinesqty 2
- Hand trucksqty 2
Tools
- Hammersqty 8
- Screwdriver setsqty 6
- Pliersqty 8
- Hand sawsqty 4
- Spirit levelsqty 4
- Measuring tapesqty 6
- Miter boxesqty 2
- Pruning shearsqty 6
- Rakesqty 6
- Broomsqty 6
- Scoopsqty 4
- Screw bit setsqty 4
Safety
- Safety gogglesqty 20
- Work glovesqty 30
- Ear defendersqty 12
- Dust masksqty 30
- First aid kit
Lighting
- Rechargeable work lightsqty 4
Construction materials
- Screwsqty 4
- Nailsqty 2
- Wood glueqty 2
- Sandpaperqty 3
- Covering filmqty 2
- Masking tapeqty 6
- Brushesqty 12
- Paint rollersqty 6
- Paint traysqty 4
- Wooden slatsqty 20
- Plywood sheetsqty 6
- Cable tiesqty 200
- Heavy-duty tie-down strapsqty 6
Cleaning
- Bucketsqty 6
- Mopsqty 4
- Spongesqty 12
- Dish brushesqty 3
Catering
- Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 40 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 30 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 2,5 kilogram
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Chips - 8 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 4 bags
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
Tips
- Group tools by work crew before shopping. A crew repairing woodwork may need hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, saws, measuring tapes, and spirit levels, while grounds crews need wheelbarrows and pruning shears.
- Check every battery-powered tool at least 24 hours before the work day. Bring chargers and reserve extension cords, power strips, and work lights for areas without reliable power.
- Plan one reusable mug and plate per participant, plus a small reserve of 10%. Set out water jugs and thermos flasks before the first coffee break so people do not queue in the kitchen.
- Keep lunch preparation separate from the work areas. You need cutting boards, chef’s and bread knives, serving platters, storage bins, and waste bins where food is served—not among sawdust, paint, or garden materials.
- Mark ladders, hand trucks, drills, sanding machines, and other shared equipment by crew before issuing them. This reduces the time spent looking for tools when several tasks start at once.
Frequently asked questions
- How many mugs, plates, and sets of cutlery do I need for a work day?
- Count one mug, plate, and set of cutlery per participant, then add 10% spare capacity. For 30 people, prepare at least 33 of each item.
- When should I buy or reserve tools for a work day?
- Check stock and reserve missing tools at least 3 days before the event. Test cordless tools, ladders, lights, and extension cords again 24 hours before people arrive.
- How much coffee and tea should I prepare for a work day?
- Allow roughly 2 cups per person during the first half of the day and another cup during the break. For 30 participants, plan for about 90 cups in total, with extra hot water available.
- How many tables and chairs do I need for lunch?
- Allow one chair per participant and about 1 folding table for every 8 to 10 people if tables are used for lunch. For 30 people, prepare 30 chairs and 3 to 4 tables.
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