Al Bundy
Well-known member
I don't generally hire anyone because the times that I have the only tip I wanted to give them was the tip of my boot up their ***. I did give the crew that poured my floor an extra benjamin since they did a great job.
Did you tip your builder/crew?
- Thread starter FITO
- Start date
you cant get friendly with the construction crew, they are hired to do a job, and do it according to spec and blueprint. Once you get friendly, corners get cut, emotions get involved. Spec not follows, somebody going to court. Its all about money. They earned it, they get paid on time, thats all. If job not built to spec, regulation, code, you hold the money. If you dont hold the money, they wont be back
Zeke
Well-known member
Wow, that's tough.
First of all, I don't see what being accommodating has to do with tipping. Particularly with Mexican crews you want to provide cold and cooled bottled water. Sometimes they will not drink water at all if only the hose is available and they don't like pitchers of water and ice. They don't trust water and you can't blame them given the countries they came from. Sodas are always welcome and I've never had a Hispanic take a diet from the cooler.
Tipping is done on short jobs at the end of the day and work. Longer jobs may earn a bonus at the end. You don't tip the person you are paying, you tip the workers working for this person unless he is the foreman and has the receipt book and you are paying a third party like his boss by check.
All tipping is by cash. Bonuses can be by adding to the check or by giving a gift. I have given a bonus on the check and tipped the workers all at the same time.
I'd agree Zeke, quite tough. Brownbagg is probably one of the few that would ever have that experience.
Chaz
Well-known member
I had two guys work with me while building my shop. We"d stop for an hour each workday and I'd take them out to lunch. It was a nice break and we all got to know each other real well. They did a great job. We all kinda hated to see the project end.
Obviously brownbagg and I differ in the way we view those that work for us.
Obviously brownbagg and I differ in the way we view those that work for us.
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LOL.
And since I always tip everyone, I have everyone's phone numbers, and most are willing to give advice, call me back, stop by to help, and even re-deliver the package after work hours. So, tipping, is like building a relationship.
When I call someone, they pick up the phone, they show up, they stay in touch.
Nor*Cal
Well-known member
In the decade or so I spent in the trades I was never once given a monetary tip. Sodas and food on occasion. We were well paid and got bonuses for beating deadlines (read no F'up delays). I've never thought of tipping a tradesman but a thank you letter to their employer mentioning individual names goes a long way and I always appreciated those.
X1 Mike
Well-known member
I tip everyone I can, I tip the A/C guy and I’ve had him come fix my A/C for no charge on a Friday night at around 7:30. I also have a place I get tires put on my rides that gets very good tips. I’m in Florida and the place I go to has really good prices but the guys work outside in the heat using floor jacks. These guys work their balls off and deserve a little extra.
Just to turn the tables a little bit, my stepdad does home remodels, additions and the occasional entire home that he builds. At the completion of every job when the homeowner pays he he presents them with a personal gift. He gets lots of recommendations.
Just to turn the tables a little bit, my stepdad does home remodels, additions and the occasional entire home that he builds. At the completion of every job when the homeowner pays he he presents them with a personal gift. He gets lots of recommendations.
Rich H.
Well-known member
Instead of me proving I'm a good guy with a tip, A crew needs to prove to me they will do the job right the first time instead of stunts like pulling wire good for 60a into a 100a panel when I paid for 100a service, thinking I am just a dumb homeowner and don't know the difference.
Another gem was...
me: "I would really like ten 220 (240) outlets".
Response? "You'll get 2".
Another great move was the oh-so feeble fill in of the electrical trench consisting of about 5 shovel fulls of dirt, leaving a hole for people to fall into. Great job there.
I got no apologies or discounts for those deliberate screw ups, they wasted their own time and money tearing wire back out again,redoing it, and having it inspected again (but only after I brought up potential liability and safety issues), I did not care because I was in no hurry and just wanted it done correctly. I filled in the trench myself, which I should not have had to do.
Which part of deliberately NOT giving a customer what he asked for and paid for, deserved a tip?
Provide me with outstanding, amazing service and you will be compensated... Figure out a way to exceed my expectations....Blow me away, and you'll get a tip. Do the above, and you won't.
Another gem was...
me: "I would really like ten 220 (240) outlets".
Response? "You'll get 2".
Another great move was the oh-so feeble fill in of the electrical trench consisting of about 5 shovel fulls of dirt, leaving a hole for people to fall into. Great job there.
I got no apologies or discounts for those deliberate screw ups, they wasted their own time and money tearing wire back out again,redoing it, and having it inspected again (but only after I brought up potential liability and safety issues), I did not care because I was in no hurry and just wanted it done correctly. I filled in the trench myself, which I should not have had to do.
Which part of deliberately NOT giving a customer what he asked for and paid for, deserved a tip?
Provide me with outstanding, amazing service and you will be compensated... Figure out a way to exceed my expectations....Blow me away, and you'll get a tip. Do the above, and you won't.
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JimVonBaden
Well-known member
Exactly! They work for a wage, and often a good one. Just doing the job is not tip worthy. Going above and beyond, staying under budget and/or finishing ahead of time very well could warrant a tip! In these cases, I like to think of it more like a bonus.
Jim
See here is where you have a problem. It would never get to this stage with me. If I see that you are an idiot, I will fire you no questions asked. If I don't get what I am asking for, and you don't have a good reason, you will be fired. A tip is under the assumption that the job was satisfactory completed. No one said to tip if the job is done bad, we all understand that.
X1 Mike
Well-known member
See I look at it the opposite way, I have no interest in proving I'm a good guy. I tip because I'm a selfish guy. As I stated my HVAC guy has dropped free service calls on me, loaned me parts, and has gone out of his way many times. The local bars that I go to have my prefered bev on the bar before I sit down. At one of the local bar/resturants I requested red onions on my chili instead of white once, and have never had to request it again. When I get my hair cut I'm always next no matter how many people are waiting in line in front of me.
The funny part in this whole thread is that the guys who have trouble with people doing work properly are the ones who never tip. It's just like the age old question of the chicken or the egg.
rockchucker
Well-known member
Oh yeah no reason at all to get friendly with somebody who is BUILDING YOUR HOUSE OR SHOP!!! I highly disagree with you. If the Owner is an ******* that is when corners start getting cut. **** talking starts and morale decreases. A happy crew is a productive crew. Spread around a bad mood for the day and everyone suffers. Same goes for the Homeowner. This is one of the reasons I stopped Building. Too many Homeowner's saying "Well the next guy can do it for this much."
Go ahead and do it for that much and call me when you want it fixed and done right.
Tip your crew if they do a good job. Don't tip them if they don't. Don't be the ******* Homeowner though. It won't get you anywhere and you are the one that suffers in the long run.
Bah Humbug, tis the season for Scrooging!
JimVonBaden
Well-known member
Agreed!
I just want to be clear from my previous statement. I do have cool drinks and snacks, and I do try to develop a report with anyone working on my stuff (cars, bikeshouse, etc.). My comment was strictly about tipping/bonuses.
Jim