Tipping installers?
- Thread starter StriderTB
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Shadowdog500
Well-known member
Anyone who works on my property gets well fed while they are here.
I did construction one summer in college. On one job we were working on in the hot sun a woman came out from her house with a pitcher of ice water. That was the best glass of water I ever drank in my life. Whenever someone works on my property I think of that lady and make sure plenty of food and drinks are available.
Chris
I did construction one summer in college. On one job we were working on in the hot sun a woman came out from her house with a pitcher of ice water. That was the best glass of water I ever drank in my life. Whenever someone works on my property I think of that lady and make sure plenty of food and drinks are available.
Chris
rarely do i have anyone do work for me, I am a retired contractor and my son is one, but when something needs done that we are not equipped to do it, here is what I do. If the contractor is the one who is doing the work alone i do not tip because they are getting all the money anyway, if he has helpers with him, I tip the helpers if they do good work. Always provide drinks/ food but no beer etc, don't want them driving after drinking at my house.
I also am in the floorcovering business. I never accepted a tip. I make very good money doing what I do. If someone offers, I tell them to donate it to Salvation Army. Flipping the coin, I do not tip someone working in my house, I usually choose someone who is on the upper end of the bids. Just so do not think I am not in favor of tipping, waiters and such get 20%. That is just my view, everyone is different
mikester
Well-known member
Just about 25 years ago I used to install blinds and window treatments on the side. My buddy got me into it and the money for a side job was great. We were doing installs for 11 shops. Very easy work. We were in everything from mansions to little 2BR houses that were owned by working class guys like me. The normal guys that bought the cheapest blinds always gave me a tip. At least 80% of the time. These were the guys that bought a PVC vertical blind for a sliding door or some basic mini blinds for their bedroom. The guys with the huge beachfront homes never gave anything. Most of the time they didnt even say thank you.
Usually when someone does work for me at my house I give them a tip. I just had a friend of mine redo the irrigation system in my yard. He had two helpers and he was there for almost six hours. The job came out perfect. I bought the three of them lunch and when the job was finished I gave the two helpers money for lunch the next day.
Usually when someone does work for me at my house I give them a tip. I just had a friend of mine redo the irrigation system in my yard. He had two helpers and he was there for almost six hours. The job came out perfect. I bought the three of them lunch and when the job was finished I gave the two helpers money for lunch the next day.
What is tipping, and why would you need it installed?
But seriously, folks...
Doing an installation on a hot summer day, part of it needed to be done in the attic. Customer was OK with putting it off, but I figured it wouldn't take long. Glad I didn't have a thermometer; I probably would have fainted. He tipped me $50 - I was very appreciative.
Fast forward a couple of years, had two yards of concrete delivered. It was an inaccessible area, so I built a 12' trough the truck could reach. First time I'd done that, and didn't know concrete doesn't flow over wood. The driver helped me hoe-and-shovel it down the trough, screeed off the slab and do a rough float. Only an extra half hour, but hugely valuable to me. He actually apologized for having to charge me extra for exceeding the max unload time, said he'd get in trouble with the company if he didn't. I tipped him $50, and I was very appreciative.
But seriously, folks...
Doing an installation on a hot summer day, part of it needed to be done in the attic. Customer was OK with putting it off, but I figured it wouldn't take long. Glad I didn't have a thermometer; I probably would have fainted. He tipped me $50 - I was very appreciative.
Fast forward a couple of years, had two yards of concrete delivered. It was an inaccessible area, so I built a 12' trough the truck could reach. First time I'd done that, and didn't know concrete doesn't flow over wood. The driver helped me hoe-and-shovel it down the trough, screeed off the slab and do a rough float. Only an extra half hour, but hugely valuable to me. He actually apologized for having to charge me extra for exceeding the max unload time, said he'd get in trouble with the company if he didn't. I tipped him $50, and I was very appreciative.
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Couple of months ago, the fridge went down - $20 tip to the tech.
Yes, matter of fact I just had my F250 windshield replaced - $20 tip to the installer.
I will be having my boat detailed and shrinkwrapped next week, $20 for each guy on the crew.
I tell them up front they can expect a tip in exchange for quality work.
Yes, matter of fact I just had my F250 windshield replaced - $20 tip to the installer.
I will be having my boat detailed and shrinkwrapped next week, $20 for each guy on the crew.
I tell them up front they can expect a tip in exchange for quality work.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Landscaper. The boss left 2 guy to finish the job. I asked the to pull out 2 concrete lumps that used to fold wood fence post. Gave them a case of beer to split.
Different crew. Gave each of the workers $20 when the boss /owner was not there.
Different crew. Gave each of the workers $20 when the boss /owner was not there.
Leaflessshadetree
Well-known member
If I hire guys working on the side, I'll tip them. Always drinks available, beer only after work is done for the day. Maybe some wild game or produce from the garden, larger job maybe some steaks. Carpet guys, same deal. Service installers (phone, cable) probably would have gotten the same if I didn't have to redo their work and patch their holes.
One thing I've noticed is that most times I've hired "professional" contractors the workers were lazy and careless and they always run over their estimate. No tip.
One thing I've noticed is that most times I've hired "professional" contractors the workers were lazy and careless and they always run over their estimate. No tip.
porschedude996TT
Well-known member
Tipping is way over done these days. I got a Christmas Card included in my Sunday Newspaper that included his home address. Like he wants a return Christmas Card??? (Selfish Self Promotion)
I thought the wage you earn from your employer was enough with few exceptions!
Exceptions: Sit down Food service and the Car-wash.
I thought the wage you earn from your employer was enough with few exceptions!
Exceptions: Sit down Food service and the Car-wash.
Agreed. I tip servers, valets, etc well. These people usually work for minimum wage and work hard. They live off tips. Most contractors do quite well and charge a pretty penny for their sevices. If someone goes above and beyond I will tip them.
I will tip people who do good work, but it's rarely cash, we have a hockey fundraiser that is gift cards to a local restaurant, I usually buy 3 or 4 hundred dollars worth to give as gifts, tips so If a installer/repair guy does a good job he will get a card or 2.
I would never tell anyone that if they do a good job I will tip them, honestly I would find that offensive if it were said to me.
Like others I always have drinks ready for guys doing work, and if it's a all day job I will run to a fast food place or order pizza for them.
I would never tell anyone that if they do a good job I will tip them, honestly I would find that offensive if it were said to me.
Like others I always have drinks ready for guys doing work, and if it's a all day job I will run to a fast food place or order pizza for them.
Zeke
Well-known member
As the contractor/business owner I hardly ever get tips. Workers do sometimes. I would say the equivalent of lunch money is good enough. That's what I give, $10 to each worker when I'm having work done. Most of the work I have done is different than what a contractor does. Things like piano or equipment moving or tree trimming. Sometimes I'll get a plumber since I've gotten older and plumbing is rough work. I know the plumbing employee is getting 20 or so an hour while the company is getting $80. So I'll give some to the plumber but not if it's the boss.
I do tip, but don't agree with it.
It's strange how we tip some and not others.
Cab drivers get tips, but not the bus driver.
Waitress gets tips, but not the server in Mc donalds.
I don't see why we should give someone a tip for doing a job you are paying them for, IE having a door fitted.
But as I said, I do tip.
I will also email head office to tell them thier employee has done a good job.
It's strange how we tip some and not others.
Cab drivers get tips, but not the bus driver.
Waitress gets tips, but not the server in Mc donalds.
I don't see why we should give someone a tip for doing a job you are paying them for, IE having a door fitted.
But as I said, I do tip.
I will also email head office to tell them thier employee has done a good job.
Rory Bellows
Well-known member
That's actually pretty common. My niece's husband delivers daily newspapers beside his real accounting job. They have three kids and he is saving up for Disneyland. He has a card with his kids on it. Another niece had a weekly local paper delivery route. The paper was basically free everyone got it but only a few actually paid for it. She too had a Christmas card. She got $800-$900 tips every year.
It's funny how some people get tipped and others don't. This has been brought up in other threads too. Some people tip the UPS man, AC guy, trash man, carpet dude, gutter guy etc.
Usually when I have work done it is not cheap. I expect excellent work for the money I exchange for service. Granted I have tipped rarely before but it was labor intensive work at a relatively cheap rate. If I'm paying through the nose no tip. Cold drinks and use of the bathroom.
I had a professional tile installation company do a 1100 sf rectified porcelain tile job at my house.
I wanted a "carpet" design (inlays of tile in a small pattern) at the front door which included trick cuts in a 4' x 6' area using glass tile.
My tip to the pro installers I was paying, I did all the trick pre cuts in the glass and porcelain to make their job easier and go faster.
After 3 days on the job, my next tip to them, was doing 100% of the porcelain baseboard-wall cuts,fill in all around, to get them to finish up and get out of my house.
I didn't get tipped.
I have tipped tree trimmers. I talk them down in price and then feel bad about it.
I've tipped stump grinders for the same reason. I've given out restaurant gift cards too if the service warrants it.
I wanted a "carpet" design (inlays of tile in a small pattern) at the front door which included trick cuts in a 4' x 6' area using glass tile.
My tip to the pro installers I was paying, I did all the trick pre cuts in the glass and porcelain to make their job easier and go faster.
After 3 days on the job, my next tip to them, was doing 100% of the porcelain baseboard-wall cuts,fill in all around, to get them to finish up and get out of my house.
I didn't get tipped.
I have tipped tree trimmers. I talk them down in price and then feel bad about it.
I've tipped stump grinders for the same reason. I've given out restaurant gift cards too if the service warrants it.
1jjpop
Well-known member
We had a carpet layer laying carpet in our basement, come noon he kept working thru noon hour, I went & got him a big cheeseburger & fries , He really liked it. After dinner he had the stairway left to do. Boy did he do a great job on the stairway. People comment about the job he did on the stairway. Food really pays off good.
I tip my trash guys a few times, they'll throw anything in the truck for me. Tried to tip a DOT safety patrol guy who changed my flat on the side of I95 in the pouring rain when I was dressed up for dinner with the family. He refused against policy, so I threw the money on the ground and drove off. Give my help a little extra sometimes if the job wasn't what was expected or the shipper is a pain. This is moving furniture.
I average about ten thousand a year in tips. New Yorkers are far and away the best tippers, followed by east coast in general. Nothing worse than being asked what a good tip is though. If they ask I usually tell them I don't need one. Lunch, cold water, etc. are good tips. I've been given 5$ for 6 guys to split after a brutal 12 hour day. A thank you and a handshake would have been better.
I average about ten thousand a year in tips. New Yorkers are far and away the best tippers, followed by east coast in general. Nothing worse than being asked what a good tip is though. If they ask I usually tell them I don't need one. Lunch, cold water, etc. are good tips. I've been given 5$ for 6 guys to split after a brutal 12 hour day. A thank you and a handshake would have been better.