How much do I tip people working on my house?
I recently purchased a new home in Cobble Hill and have a few folks working on the house. Is there a general rule of thumb on how much one is supposed to tip (if at all) for any of the following: – Contractor – Painter – Plumber – Electrician – Cleaning Service Please forgive my…
I recently purchased a new home in Cobble Hill and have a few folks working on the house. Is there a general rule of thumb on how much one is supposed to tip (if at all) for any of the following:
– Contractor
– Painter
– Plumber
– Electrician
– Cleaning Service
Please forgive my ignorance – any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Clueless in Crooklyn
we tip the mailcarrier, the ups/fedex guys, the water delivery people, the cleaning person, the garage attendants, the supers, the office staff, the groomers, etc.
have even tipped a medical doctor
I forgot to say I gave my contractor and his guys food/alcohol gifts. I never gave my garbage men money and regretted it during my renovation. When I finally realized they were dropping heavy hints, I thought ‘damn, I pay taxes’ and lived to regret it. That is one ‘tip’ you definately want to give. Once you pay them, they stop counting the bags.
vanburenproud is correct in his assessment of the use of tips, at least in doling out cash for services. In the professional relationship you give a thoughtfull gift.
I would give the guys delivering my furniture some money; I would send my lawyer who helped close my housing deal a bottle of wine.
It’s obviously an unclear situation. You can offer a tip, or a gift. Ask the GC/foreman, explain that it’s a sign of appreciation. You can even find out what the crew might like and buy them a gift. Providing lunch and drinks is another way to go. The best “tip” you can give them is to refer them to friends or the brownstoner crowd — another nice paying job goes much further than a tip of $50 or $100 (remember,they’ve been busting their butts for you for over 6 months, so $20???)
I actually have a friend who says he doesn’t like blow jobs. Can we please stick to the really interesting stuff here?
We are currently doing a major renovation and instead of giving our workers a tip, I’ve provided lunch or drinks.. hot chocolate is great while it is cold. I think that it is a great way for them to feel appreciated.
I don’t tip people working on my house. I am respectful, appreciative of good work, pay as agreed promptly and recommend the tradesman if he/she does a good job. It is not appropriate to tip tradespeople; they can price the job for what they think it is worth. I tip wait staff, food delivery guys like take out, Fresh Direct etc. and a few people at the holidays. There has to be a line otherwise we will all go crazy. Or we could be like Japan where people think that good service is simply part of any job and tips are always inappropriate. I like tipping people in hotels and restaurants where tipping is considered part of the wages and where personal service and attention is much better when you tip well.
5:49, then you, like vanburenproud, are the one who is rude. Being unappreciative of someone who is trying to express their gratitude and respect for your work shows you to be the ungracious asshole. Get over yourself. If you don’t think you should be tipped, why not simply say so when you submit your estimate or contract. Just say it’s come up in the pas and you want the homeowner to know what is and isn’t expected. Nobody is insulting you. They are simply trying to do the right thing.
Vanburenproud is telling you people something you don’t want to hear, and he’s right.
I work on a cabinetmaker’s crew (and work on my house…), and I don’t appreciate tips.