Tipping my Builders

[fdkss03]

Hi All,

I have a pole building going in over the next two days..... What is typical tipping practices for these crews? Seems to be a very good Amish crew working on the building.

Thanks!

 

[PugetDude]

Hi All,

I have a pole building going in over the next two days..... What is typical tipping practices for these crews? Seems to be a very good Amish crew working on the building.

Thanks!

Get them a nice gift... just nothing with an electrical cord on it.

 

[HammerMechanic]

When I had Amish building my pole barn, I never felt the need to tip them since that is what I was paying them for. But I did always have coolers of drinks and food for them. So I guess that was my way of tipping. One time I called to have pizza delivered. When the delivery guy showed up, they kept telling him they didn't order anything. It took a while for him to get them to understand that it was already paid for.

 

[sublimate]

Getting a couple bottles of whiskey.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

My soon to be Ex-nephew does a lot of business with the Amish. They always want a ride in his new truck. When they get over the hill from the farm, they always ask if he will let them drive it! He does and when he get ready to leave they always seem to have another order ready for him.

I had some roofer a few years ago, on the last day I ask if they like some cold cervezas? I went and got a cold case and iced it down. Just couldn't have any till they were done on the roof. The clean up these guys did was freaking great!!! Not one bit of trash anywhere.


Capt. Chrysler

 

[thewatusi]

If I hire a job out I always give the workers cold drinks and offer them food if it's a full day job. Never cash.

 

[jade97]

When my house was being built, a few times a week I'd bring donuts, cookies, occasionally a few pizza's, etc....just like I do when I'm on a work site for my job.

Happy workers are good workers.....

 

[Cyberbear]

After paying my guys a very fair wage per hour and the job was done, I gave those that deserved it a nice pocket knife wrapped in a one hundred dollar bill and a letter of recommendation. They all were very pleased and grateful.

 

[MoparTrucks]

Get them a nice gift... just nothing with an electrical cord on it.

All the Amish around me use electrical items; they just generate their own electricity and don't buy it from the co-op....they are also more than happy to use your electricity!

 

[thewatusi]

Don't let them fool you. When I was working a home show in Philly there were some Amish vendors in the booth next door. During show times they were slyly playing around with their smartphones and ipads.

 

[Lippyp]

Over here I've never felt the need to tip builders/tradespeople. I keep em in tea/coffee and biscuits and the occasional bacon sandwich. The rest of the world doesn't really share the same tipping culture as the USA. Once or twice we've bought some outstanding guys a bottle of booze but never cash above their bill.

 

[HICKS]

No tips, I would just offer snacks and cold water.

 

[bjcouche]

When I had my shop built, I kept plenty of iced non alcoholic beverages in a cooler, as well as bottled water. The bottles are better because they are easier to drink part of and then cap off and then too they don't blow away in the wind and make a mess. I also bought lunch a couple days, like pizza's subs, etc. Some other things that I would do is keep several large 55 gallon trash barrels around the job site. That way if they have something to throw out, a trash can is always nearby. If it's real hot out, a shaded area with a picnic table might be a good idea. Having a shady place to eat their lunch is surely welcome.
Facilities.... some areas require the site to have a porta john, on site when you get your building permit, and other areas don't. Make sure you provide either a ports john, or let them use your house bathroom (not recommended) or something on site... IF a porta john, I'd also recommend a portable sink or somewhere to wash up..

I had one crew during one construction phase that left their lunch trash, bottles, wrappers, etc and cigarette butts strewn all over the property... They didn't get the pizzas for lunch!

 

[razrbak94]

Getting a couple bottles of whiskey.

This

 

[jd_1138]

The Amish crew I picked up for my friend's house remodel got a case of beer every evening. They did a great job. They tore off an old rotten roof, re-roofed it. Then they tore off an under-engineered roof system on the garage and raised it and put in trusses along with a new roof. Then they re-drywalled the house, put down hardware floors, redid the kitchen, etc..

And they do use power tools, trust me. They had their own utility trailer filled with awesome power tools (DeWalt, Milwaukee), generator, compressor, etc.. They have to pay a guy $150 a day to come out and tow their trailer and drive their 4 man crew to the jobsite. But I towed their trailer for them and they passed the savings onto my friend.

Hard workers, conscientious, nice, respectful. They surprised me in that every morning they wanted to stop at McD's for breakfast. I would've figured their wives would've cooked them huge hearty breakfasts. lol

 

[SALIV8]

I kept my builders hydrated with bottle water and whatever other drinks they wanted. Typically ice water was the choice for the Amish crew. I offered beer a few times but was turned down.

I also gave them s/w Michigan blueberries freshly picked that they enjoyed.

But no cash tips here.

 

[Streetbu]

No cash, at least until the job is done. Usually just food and water/soda. You're paying them an agreed upon price, they are making their profit. No need for more $

 

[pablo94sc]

I don't get this tipping culture we have here. Tipping builders is the latest of a long list of WTF. Servers I get, but I've heard mailmen, housekeeping in a hotel, grocery sackers, lawn services, etc. It's all a bit ridiculous IMO. It's like everyone has their hand out nowadays.

 

[James-W]

As you like.
Feed the crew all they'll eat during the build.
That's a standard for us.

That's what the wife and I do as well. Whenever we have workers here to do a job for us, we always make sure they have plenty to eat and drink. When the job is done we bring out the beer.

 

[Wanna Ride]

I never tip contractors with cash, but EVERYONE appreciates a cooler full of icy cold bottled water/Gatorade and a smorgasbord of lunch stuff. And it absolutely goes a long ways when you ask for the little extra attention.

You ever see how eager a group of guys can be to go the extra mile, when you bring out a plate of sandwiches, some chips and Gatorade/water? And don't skimp on the sandwich ingredients either. Have some fresh sliced tomatoes and onions, and stack them with plenty of meat and cheese. It's directly proportionate to their eagerness to help make you happy. And when you're all done, what's it cost? Twenty or thirty bucks? You'd never get that response if you just handed them $30 cash, to split three or four ways. EVERYBODY likes free grub! And take a few minutes to sit down and have a sandwich with them, shoot the breeze about the ballgame, or fishing, or whatever, but make a point NOT to talk about your project while you eat with them... it's cheap and disrespectful.

Hell, just Monday I met the local paper carrier at the driveway with a couple cold bottles of water. And he ALWAYS gets my paper to the bottom stair of the deck, and NEVER hits the garage door. Whenever I'm home and the garbage guy guy comes down my street, I make a point to meet him with a couple bottles of cold water. There's NEVER any garbage spilled at my curb.

Doesn't take much to get a little extra service and attention. They all appreciate the recognition.

 

[Toolfool]

I trimmed out a beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright-style house. The homeowner lady lived right down the street and brought me a hot lunch every day for eight weeks !! I made sure every last detail in that house was done right.

 

[RedRabbit]

I usually hand out some soda and jersey mikes subs to workers at my house. I invite my gardener over to lunch sometimes, great guy and great service. Ive done free work on his Ford Ranger before.

 

[Justanoldguy]

I don't get this tipping culture we have here. Tipping builders is the latest of a long list of WTF. Servers I get, but I've heard mailmen, housekeeping in a hotel, grocery sackers, lawn services, etc. It's all a bit ridiculous IMO. It's like everyone has their hand out nowadays.

Tipping of any service in NZ is virtually non existent.

Supplying trade workers on site, we supply a few beers at the end of the day on occasions, or a hot lunch if it's a chilly day.

Nothing monetary.

Tipping in restaurants, hotel, taxis etc. Definitely not.

 

[PT Doc]

If someone performs service that is simply way above and beyond what was expected, then a monetary tip could be in order. If they do the work they are hired to do and you pay them the agreed upon price then everyone is squared away. Water, food and snacks is a very nice and welcome offering and if someone demands a tip, then the company they work for deserves to know. I don't think the managers or owners would be happy.