So, how much (roughly) ) is "a drink"?

Around here if someone says that what they mean is they really don’t want anything, but they know that you wouldn’t want to give them nothing so you say “just buy me a drink” to show that there’s no real expectation of payment and a token thank you will be fine. In this case I’d get him whatever bottle of malt whiskey was on special at the supermarket.

Thank you to all who replied, I appreciate it.

I'm going to get him round again, and pin him down, iykwim!

Yes, it would have been better Calendargirl as a ‘drink’ is confusing.I would have said £15 is enough ( how many drinks does he want?) Some people would have given him a bottle of wine or a few beers.If I were you Phoenix I would ask him again when he starts the work.

I’d have thought £20 plus the wood.

Probably been easier if he’d simply said “I’ll do it for £? and the wood”.

Friend of ours fitted new ceiling light, put 5 pints in down local for him, he drove over, so between £20-£25.

Yes. £20 unless it's more than two hours work.

‘A drink’ around these parts is £20 .

A dozen pack of beers.

I was going to suggest £20

How about going for the middle..£25, seems reasonable to me.

Thank you for the responses, appreciated.

In this instance, a "drink" definitely means money! Just need to know how much!

When he came to have a look at the job, "a drink" were his words, wish I'd asked him how much that meant!

It could be one of those awkward conversations.

phoenix rather than waste money- eg he may not like spirits and maybe a wine drinker only or vice versa. Why not ask him and then you will not be wasting your money.

A lot depends also on how long it takes him to do it because if it is a fair amount of time that may necessitate two bottles.

Pre Covid days, 'Just buy me a drink,' would have meant a couple of beers in the local pub but now I think it would mean a bottle of whisky (or similar favourite tipple)

If firewood is involved it’s a fairly large hedge, the lower he cuts it the more firewood he gets, so make sure it’s cut to the height you want eg -3ft.
As for a drink, a bottle of scotch if he clears it up and leaves it tidy

I would find out what he does drink and buy whatever it is for him, rather than offer money.

Bottles of nice wine, a bottle of whisky or other spirit or some bottles of local ale?

He will have all the wood too, which will keep him going for quite a while over the winter.

Do you know what he likes to drink Phoenix? Maybe get him a bottle or a few cans. It doesn't sound like he wants money. Maybe he meant a cup of tea - only joking but I would try to find out what he normally drinks and give that.