Did you tip your builder/crew?

[FITO]

I have a two man crew building my barn, the company owner and his employee.
I've been taking out a thermos of KC's best coffee every morning, donuts one morning, lunch another day and the wife made them muffins. The builders wife was nice and included me in yesterdays lunch order .

When I worked construction/remodel we were sometimes tipped, it was just me and the owner also. My boss would usually just give me the tip and we would use it for lunch/beers.

So back to my question, do or did you tip your building crew and how much?

 

[allinon72]

I think what you are doing is fine....doesn't sound like a tipping type of situation. I mean, are you supposed to go out there every day and give them a tip?

 

[FITO]

I think what you are doing is fine....doesn't sound like a tipping type of situation. I mean, are you supposed to go out there every day and give them a tip?

I'm doing those thing just because I want to. I'm asking about giving a monetary tip at the end of the job.

 

[CARS]

I always had a case of beer on hand after each work day

No monetary tip at the end of the job.

 

[slickgt1]

I tip. I also provide refreshments. It just seems natural to me, I've always done it. I even tip the UPS guy when he brings me something heavy.

 

[bigred292]

I used to be a contractor in my previous life- some people gave Christmas tips, some didn't.
Had one customer gave me HD gift card- Sears would work well too.

 

[larry_g]

I am out in the country so I make sure that the crew has drinks and snacks. I also make sure let the contractor that I am available to make a town run if necessary. Sometimes a run needs to be made and if I can keep them working while I make the run I figure I am ahead of the game.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[W650Mike]

I don't tip unless they are working directly for me. I will however, provide a cooler of drinks so that they aren't tempted to snoop in the fridge or have to run to the store on breaks.

Maybe consider beers and BBQ when the job is complete.

 

[gabedad]

I would give a $50 HD card to each at the end for a job well done


If the Job was done well

 

[RTcat]

For the Amish crew that framed up my shop I had doughnuts and beverages the first day and supplied beverages every day I knew they'd be on site. I tipped each crew member (4 of them). I didn't tip the owner as he was only onsite about 1/2 the time. I did play gopher for them a few days on the job site and I had to drive to their farm to get some additional supplies on a couple days. This was the only tip I gave out.

For the forms crew, i had doughnuts and beverages the day they poured the forms.

For the flatwork crew, I had had doughnuts and beverages the day they poured the floor. These guys worked their @sses off and did a great job. The owner assured me he pays his guys well.

The plumber who installed my boiler and hooked up my pex to the system had no set schedule so I couldn't do much there.

I had beverages for the insulation guys the day they did their work.

I'm doing my own drywall install and electrical, so I'm giving my self x-mas cookies at the moment.

 

[Gary S]

I built my garage with some help from my brothers and my neighbor. I bought the beer and Mountain Dew.

 

[pauls340]

I was giving my last roofing crew, pops, water, donuts etc, nice guys, Russian. Between four guys they spoke 9 words of English....found out three days after they were done, they all were $HITTING in one pile behind the shed. I left it for three days cause my A$$hole neighbor was down wind

 

[rockchucker]

I always enjoy being tipped for a job well done. If they are working their asses off then they should be rewarded. Coffee and doughnuts can work to your advantage also. Caffeine and sugar buzz can pep a tired eye guy right up!

As long as you are not the assholeish type owner that is peeking through the blinds and always looking at the clock when you arrive or leave, tipping/refreshments/snacks will tend to smooth relationships between both parties. This makes the crew actually like and respect you. Instead of cutting a corner here or there they will take that extra step to do it right.

If you are an ******* Homeowner you will get the same service as if you were to be an ******* to your waiter/waitress or cook that makes your food. Not a very good outcome.

Just my 2¢

 

[bazzateer]

I always keep workers fed and watered when they're working on my place - I see them as guests and try to look after them as best I can. They all seem to appreciate it. No monetary tips though, unless they go beyond the call.....

 

[Jianis]

During my earlier life I employed many people for buildings and other work.I did try to offer snacks and drinks when possible that seams to keep everyone happy also a couple of nights out with people who worked for longer periods proved to be good for the team building.Good old times


Jianis

 

[gabedad]

The wife fed the crew like there was no tomorrow. She made cappucino for them one morning - they said it was the strangest and most fun job they had done

 

[metal1313]

we feed them. when we had a major bathroom remodel my mom would make breakfast for them, they would start working around 8 so my mom had time to get ready and get the kids to school, but would show up around seven..so naturally she had to feed them.

we had a finish carpenter in doing extensive crown mouldings and restoring other wood work in the house, his son would come and help after school and i would as well. the families became friendly and we knew it was just the two of them. a few years before the guys wife and other son were killed by a drunk driver and times were tough. since they were so nice and he did really good work, but started late in the day he was always here when my mom got home, so or course, she had to make dinner for them.

his origonal quote was close to 5k, we paid about 3500 and he scrapped the rest. told my dad that they ended up saving a ton working here becuase it was close to home, and my mom kept them fed. we keep in touch, the son and i are still friends, and even though the dad has gone back to corporate work, he still helps me out


i guess what im trying to say is you can tip, but it doesnt have to be monetary

 

[schwalby]

I use to work for a couple of different trades, electrical, security, GC and well water and I never got tipped. Did that stuff for 4 years and never thought anything of it.

When I build I plan on providing tons of drinks and if I can would do some lunches. I also plan on throwing a party at the end of the job and invite all the trades. Kind of like what they do / did on This Old House.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I tipped the guy who laid our carpet. He always worked for cash and would come practically on call. It was worth it for a few bucks to have him show up.

I also fed the guys when we poured the floor in the garage and laid up the block for the house garage foundation but of course, they were family.

 

[PeterT]

I've had thee homes built, I always tipped the concrete guys - they seemed to work there tail off in the heat. The 2nd and 3rd homes, I had the same concrete crew and they knew the $100 was waiting for them at the end - to go off to the bar... I think they gave me a better deal and I know they did a better job for me knowing there was a small reward at the end.

 

[toyotadriver]

When my house was built, I gave my contractor a $100 gift certificate to a nice restaurant. I also told him that he could use me for a reference and I would show people around if he had someone who wanted to see his work.

A good reference is the best tip. The gift card was the icing on the cake.

 

[yost69]

Every situation is different. If you are happy with the work when it is finished and you feel that it deserves a tip. Then tip them.

If you feel that you paid enough for the work done than don't tip.

Its up to you at the end of the job.

When I was in construction my boss gave me a HUGE bonus for every house that was finished on schedule. So I didn't look for tips, I looked for the 7 grand at the end of the job. Of course it was just me and him and a couple grunts that were on an as needed basis.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

You are a really nice person for buying them coffee and donuts.

That is enough. If I am treated respectfully and with dignity by my customer that is always enough and more than plenty to me.

If I were on your job for several weeks and you bought me donuts or lunch once each I would be very happy that you did. If you offered me a tip I would refuse it and thank you for the offer. I would always rather make you happy and have you refer me to your nice friends, nice people tend to have nice friends and less nice people the same. I would just be happy to make the aquaintance of a nice person and would be happy for their support in my further well being through referrals. Smiles and happiness can be worth more than a few bucks in a lot of instances.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Every situation is different. If you are happy with the work when it is finished and you feel that it deserves a tip. Then tip them.

If you feel that you paid enough for the work done than don't tip.

Its up to you at the end of the job.

When I was in construction my boss gave me a HUGE bonus for every house that was finished on schedule. So I didn't look for tips, I looked for the 7 grand at the end of the job. Of course it was just me and him and a couple grunts that were on an as needed basis.

Did you pass anything down to your grunts?

 

[metalmagpie]

We had an addition built on our house and my shop (well, garage on this forum). It went absolutely perfectly and we were delighted. We got all the workers a $25 gift certificate at a local restaurant and told them to take their wives out to dinner. Have never regretted it.

metalmagpie

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Keep the coffee going. Lunch is appreciated and keeps people going. I love working for folks like you

 

[yost69]

Did you pass anything down to your grunts?

They got their bonus also. Not as big but they were quite happy.

 

[Stuart in MN]

A good reference is the best tip. The gift card was the icing on the cake.

This topic has come up a number of times on the Fine Homebuilding web board, and the builders there most often said a good reference was the best tip as far as they were concerned.

 

[Milton Shaw]

I make homemade strawberry jam every year, and so I give half pints of jam to workers who have done a good job. Concrete guys, and roofers have gotten it in the last two years. Roofer put me ahead of a lot of other jobs when we had hail damage this year in part because I had given him jam last year when he did the roof the first time. He actually didn't want to share it with his workers but he did.

 

[Beaumont67]

Last few years, I have become very good friends with 2 finish carpenters.
Last year when they did my sun room addition & cedar deck - they got:
- BBQ most days, if it wasn't raining (5 oz. lean buggers or Polish sausage)
- cold pop from house fridge
- use of my upstairs washroom
- occasional beer, at end of week
Plus, I had free 1/4 mile drag tickets...so the 2 man crew, their oldest sons & I went to the race track, one Saturday afternoon.
- prior to driving to the track, gave them a tour of my muscle car/truck collection...out of town.
I never had to give a money tip, and been told...I was the best person they ever worked for.
- I get superior workmanship
- they use my work, as a fill in job
- I pay cash (by the working hour) and never get overcharged
- the 1 carpenter has a dump trailer, that he will let me use (so I don't have to rent a bin)

Only time I cashed tipped, was my tile guy...once $100.
He has become a good friend of mine, and always tries to under charge me. His work is flawless.
He brings his own lunch and does not drink alcohol - so I found another way to say thanks:
Last week I got 4 free OHL / Junior A hockey tickets:
- I took my tile friend (on a Friday night) and my son brought a friend of his
It was a great time for all...and this 1 man crew, likes working for me to... win-win.

 

[robertwhite]

Tip?

I had to threaten my contractor with arrest/prosecution just to get his sorry azz to finish the job.

 

[ddawg16]

I have not used that many people.....the guy doing my foundation? We always had a cup of coffee for him in the morning....and plenty of water during the day....on days when I was there....I would provide lunch...

When we did the pour....I provided lunch to him and the pumper guy....

Roofing guy? I never saw him.....but he has been doing work for my MIL and me...and lots of other people I know....I think he likes the referals....

Our concrete guy? He is almost family....speaks no English (but in the country legeally), will drop everything to help me....trust him 100%.

I'm out of town right now...the winds last week blew all the plastic off the addition I'm working on....he came over and took care of everything.....told my wife (via gestures), he will check back to make sure all is good.

He already knows he has the job of doing all the stucco....

Oh....and our next door neighbor just hired him to do some stucco repair....

If I won the Lotto....I would hire him full time just to be my general 'what ever' guy....

Yep....he is almost family....

 

[nmanitou]

Always... Always feed the guys working hard to make your dreams come true. I hired out concrete and framing of my garage addition then finished the rest myself. The hired professionals always had coffee, cookies, pizza bread (courtesy of the old gal) and beer at the end of the day.

 

[Free Willie]

I did the coffee, lunch and beer thing. I had to buy a siding gun as I was the one who finished the garage - and when I was done I gave it to the builder as a tip. He is a friend of mine and coached me on how to finish myself to save some dough.

 

[David79z28]

I can never find one that does the job on time or right the first time so it's a no for me!

 

[HVAC Phil]

I just finished a job for a customer. He purchased a warehouse, we did a heating/cooling system for his office space and 3 tube heaters in the warehouse. He sells generators. Gave us all a generator of our choice at end of job. Usually the rich types are cheap, i have found thru the years. Point is, if you know the people you are doing work for really appreciate the quality work, you go above and beyond. You wouldn't think after someone just paid 16k for work, they would also tip you as well too.

 

[BWS]

A professional const crew is like a machine........hit the job and a switch gets turned on.They've become adj to working in every type of environment.Hot,cold,rain,wind,ect.ect.Eating lunch on the job with nasty hands.....injuries,foul language,pissin in the yard,peckin order WRT kick'n azz,whistling at women.....its a wonderful life.

Tips are fine......but the single biggest thing that anyone can give a const. guy or crew is to give proper respect.If the guy's a dipchit....call him out,we do.But if you've got a talented crew,ask for his advice....ask if he feels you're going in a good direction.Listening to the voice of experience will go ten times further than slippin somebody a 20.BW

 

[denis4x4]

I pay top dollar for the best people. My wife does "pie friday" and I supply 8 pound containers of red vines on a weekly basis. Absolutely no beer to eliminate liability issues. We've done a lot of major projects and after each one, we throw a party for the workers and their families. Believe it or not, a lot of wives never get to see the finished projects that their husbands produce. Every bill that's presented in person gets paid the same day and bills that come in the mail go out in the next day's mail.

We have a tradition of putting an interior door on some saw horses and asking everyone who worked on the job to sign it.

Showing respect and asking for input from workers seems to be in short supply.

 

[superspec]

i had my attic reblown last summer. i told the estimate guy i wanted it blown level with the rafters. a 2 man crew came out mid day to blow it. my attic had busted 130* by the time they got there. before going up i told them i had plenty of water and it would be ready when they wanted it just yell and ill bring it up. before they went in i pulled the lead guy off to the side and told him if he did it right id kick some cash their way. about 30 min after thye went up they came down pouring sweat and coughing like crazy. they wouldnt wear a mask because it was so hot and the sweat just clogged the filters. after they got their coughing under control i went up and i couldnt see the any kind of frame work anymore. i thanked them and passed a $50 bill and the guy tried to give me change haha. he has since come by out of the blue to spray over my garage.

 

[hockey88fan]

I tip. I also provide refreshments. It just seems natural to me, I've always done it. I even tip the UPS guy when he brings me something heavy.

That's what I'm talking about, heed the advice people: more tips for UPS guys ;-)))