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March 3, 2008
Tipping question
I have people installing windows in my house right now. Do I have to tip them? They're a small crowd - the house has over 30 windows, and the job will take over 2 days. If yes, how much $$ per person?
Comments
30 windows is alot of work but if the work is done perfectly - usually the rule is that you tip them anywhere from 5 to 10 dollars per window (if it's 6 windows or less) but in your case 30 windows I would only give them 2 to 5 dollars per window. But you have have to determine based on your budgey.
Good Luck.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 1:31 PM
i say no, but a lot of people here will say otherwise.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 1:31 PM
Well, for your own future needs, probably not, as you're unlikely to ever need them to install new windows.
I find that tipping when the relationship is about to end is more about the tipper than the person tipped.
I like to tip, and to tip well - it makes me feel good, so I do it. It's good karma.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 1:44 PM
I think tipping is always a nice gesture when you are happy with the work and service. I wouldn't tip based on the # of windows though. It would be more as a small thank you. If you want to do more you can buy them lunch/breakfast as well.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at March 3, 2008 1:49 PM
Again, your budget and kindness determines everything.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 1:57 PM
Stop this nonsense of tipping construction people. Tipping is for service staff only. These people should be paid a good wage by their employer and you can "tip" the employer by recommending them here if they do good work. Tip your hairstylist, waitstaff, or barista, not these people.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 2:17 PM
You could say the same for your hairstylist, waitstaff and barista - that they should be paid a good wage by their employer. You know the waitstaff isn't. You don't really know how well paid the window guys are by their employer - it probably varies at lot.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 2:41 PM
Please ignore 2:17 - he does not know any better and is probably new to Brooklyn land, damn hipsters!!! Tipping has nothing to do with the persons occupation, as long as they are working for you and you are satisfied with the work, you can tip to express your gratitude and appreciation for a job well done.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 2:44 PM
Screw that.
Ya'll can tip everyone. me, I just pay them what was asked. Which is usually already quite handsome. Tipping cabbies, waitstaff, movers...sure. Tipping window installers?? Construction doods? Skim coaters? Hell no to that.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 3:05 PM
"Tipping has nothing to do with the persons occupation"
Do you tip your doctor, lawyer, banker? No. There are some jobs for which you tip and some you don't. Window installers do not get tipped.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 3:44 PM
"Do you tip your doctor, lawyer, banker?"
Tipping can come in many forms outside of money - as Mrs. Limestone mentioned you can offer them lunch, breakfast, and drinks. Stop being so damn evil. For the record many of these workers are not well paid.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 3:57 PM
They should take that up with their boss.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 4:03 PM
I don't tip b/c society says I have to. As far as I am concerned they are just doing their job. If they don't like their job, they can find a new one. McDonalds is a hard job, you don't feel like you have to tip them, do you?
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 4:08 PM
While I think 2:47 could work on his rhetorical skills, he has a valid point.
I think the tip-mad culture of NYC is in part about expressing power and getting more out of people for less. Rather than just expecting skilled laborers to cost a reasonable sum of money, we prefer to pay a very cheap wage and then express our magnanimity and thankfulness that this person worked beyond the too-small wage with a tip, which could never cover the spread between what the work was worth and what was paid.
I would never suggest that the people who are calling 2:47 "evil" and saying that a tip is merely good karma are themselves evil. Nor would I suggest that it's fun to withhold money from laborers. But I do think it's reasonable to suggest that tipping creates as many problems as it solves.
*It makes low wages more palatable to more people.
*It enforces the "good feeling" of "paying extra" or "giving" when in fact you are getting a deal.
*And it reinforces the existing power structure. I'd rather hire someone for a fair wage or do the work myself, and give a gift if I am thrilled with the work. I'd rather not fuss with the alternate tip economy.
I think it's ultimately more respectful. But that's just me.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 4:16 PM
I tipped my real eastate broker for having extra open houses even though she did not sell my house.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 4:20 PM
416 - I understand your theory but I find the whole tip/don't tip concerns to be a total pain in the ass. I'd prefer not to tip anyone and pay for it directly but thats just not how the world works. I don't think there is some band of power hungry souls with a pocket full of five dollar bills supporting the tipping standard. Most people are just trying to do the right thing by tipping appropriately.
I'd say most people that are good tippers have worked for tips themselves at some point and are just trying to return the favor. Its not about power, its about being the kind of person you want to deal with when you are on the other side of the transaction.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at March 3, 2008 5:14 PM
The problem is that when contractors are in your house day in and day out and you're buying them meals/alcohol you develop a non-business relationship. This bites you in the ass in the end when resentment develops over change orders and bills over an estimate made many months beforehand. Business is business. You can be courteous, but it's in both sides interest to keep it professional.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 5:34 PM
I tip if I felt that I got good service AND a good deal. If I felt that I paid market rate, I'm not going to tip. If I got less than average service I don't tip.
Having said that, I've never tipped a contractor. Probably means they've never met any of the above conditions...
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 6:39 PM
Mrs. L, I certainly would never suggest that there's a band of power-hungry souls with their fists full of fives, and I agree with you that when people tip they aren't thinking about power and are attempting to do the right thing.
I've worked for tips a ton. If I am in a situation where I should or can't avoid a tip, I tip well.
But in my house, where I can set the prices and choose laborers, I tend to shop around and get a good sense of what a fair rate is, and err on the side of paying a good rate and forego tipping.
You can do this by asking contractors how much laborers are getting paid, by asking laborers how much they are getting paid, by negotiating to pay laborers yourself, etc. etc.
I guess my point is that your house is one of those places where you really can call enough shots to *truly do the right thing* instead of hope that the five dollar bill is right enough.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 7:49 PM
Ok fair enough. I guess I was speaking in generalities. Nothing wrong with your method but this is a pet peeve of mine. I can't tell you how many people I know who don't tip ANYONE enough and are the first to advise you not to tip even when its clearly appropriate.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at March 3, 2008 8:34 PM
But Mrs. L that's because you live in windsor terrace where we've recently learned only cheap racist republicans live - except yourself of course.
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 8:48 PM
Consider not tipping in terms of cash, but demonstrating a gesture of your appreciation of "WHAT" and "HOW" they have done it - provided they have done it meeting or exceeding your expectations. I have given expensive bottles of champagne etc to contractors who have done a great job. It doesn't have to be about cash!
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 8:53 PM
Construction workers with no education make more money than university educated professionals.
They probably make more money than you.
Do you still want to tip them?
Posted by: Ysabelle at March 3, 2008 9:24 PM
Tipping (construction workers) does not make you a better class of a person.
Show your appreciation with people who make a small salary, not people who work under the radar who are way overpaid.
Posted by: Ysabelle at March 3, 2008 9:29 PM
I dont think tipping is necessary. However, if you are looking to be nice, give them some drinks and snacks or something.
Posted by: slick at March 4, 2008 12:59 AM
I've bought lunch on a couple of occassions for workers when progress is going great and I am pleased with the quality and professionalism in which the work is being done. These small gestures go a long way to making it a pleasant experience for both you and the workers in your home.
Posted by: guest at March 4, 2008 8:04 AM
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