Electrician - tip for service?

I’m about to wrap up an approx 8 day job where an electrician is installing some new receptacles, switches, lights, etc in my 1908 PLG brownstone. 2 guys, one lead and one helper. I’m pleased with their work (8/10), so what’s the norm for a tip to tradespeople like this?

pwnnyc

in Electricians 10 years and 4 months ago

9

Please log in, in order to post replies!

9 replies

Newest Oldest

mbell | 10 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5114 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4864 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "185713"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "mbell"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BWT8dZ./zpyFvesca67rGPLWO.H6bG0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "mbell"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "maurabelliveau@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:56:27"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "mbell"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(185713)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Would you be willing to provide the name of your electrician? I have a 1901 brownstone and need quite a bit of electrical. Easy to find someone who will gut every wall to do it; hard to find someone reasonable, reliable and careful. Welcome your recommendation–privately or as post here. Thanks!

no-permits | 10 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5113 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4874 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176811"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "no-permits"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BQ0OH9Ih5gOlNPyiuMv52Zag/olDYr1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "no-permits"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "c90027@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(25) "/forums/users/no-permits/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:14:46"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "no-permits"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176811)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

@masterplvmer, $10-20 sounds like more of an insult to a skilled laborer than to get nothing at all.

Master Plvmber | 10 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4871 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5116 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1447"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSHLZQSJWUzjnaSv9fyWJpNYjwcz.u."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "info@gatewayplumbing.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 20:40:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1447)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Your tip should buy them lunch or breakfast. Not pay their rent.

Master Plvmber | 10 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5114 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5115 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1447"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSHLZQSJWUzjnaSv9fyWJpNYjwcz.u."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "info@gatewayplumbing.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 20:40:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1447)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

My guys get tips all the time. $10-$20 each is pretty standard. Employees of contractors of all kinds get sent to a home and can make up their minds when they get there if they’re going to do that little extra that makes it a really good job, or if they’re going to follow the script and do a standard installation. They have options. So do you. I don’t encourage it, but to the guy standing in your home it’s a big deal.

concord | 10 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5113 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5117 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181198"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "concord"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BOSwLdnNpNMBYv4KKQcWshEpnDszZX/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "concord"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "Jsalazar6@nyc.rr.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:40"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "concord"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181198)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Tip an amount/day each guy…equal for all. $250 each?

BSDOD | 10 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4871 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "81246"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "BSDOD"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$.OsmxvjaeA121WsOWmpAqePEevkc22uJ0FZbVpsdYeM3BY4gIhuu."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "BSDOD"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "apoprilo@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/apop/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2010-10-21 00:43:10"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "Apop"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(81246)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Follow your heart, I’ve never lost a wink of sleep for showing appreciation in the way of tips…in fact I’ve established relationships that may have saved me in the long run.

pwnnyc | 10 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5114 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5118 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "182111"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "pwnnyc"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BApm/UcnB2N3TsLEcg/N4ImVEu/NJW/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "pwnnyc"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "peter_niessen@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:54:27"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "pwnnyc"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(182111)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Well, there are several instances where I add a tip on top of payment for service rendered, e.g. a taxi cab. I just don’t want to be a cheapskate, and as a new first-time homeowner have no prior experience in norms for some of the tradesmen I’ll be using going forward. And, not that it may matter, but I’m not paying these guys directly – I pay their employer (XYZ Electric Co), and they (presumably) get paid by them. So, sounds like no tip is typical?

williamsburgguys | 10 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5113 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5119 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "179772"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "williamsburgguys"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BcTw5wsxim9sw6gnCR/OE1x0rr8VYR0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "williamsburgguys"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "thomas.hellmer@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:04:27"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(16) "williamsburgguys"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(179772)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Totally agree here. Why would you tip someone for a construction job? I tip waiters, delivery folks for food, and even the unloading guys who bring furniture in and set it up, but not for someone I am already paying directly for their services.

no-permits | 10 years and 4 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5118 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5115 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176811"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "no-permits"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BQ0OH9Ih5gOlNPyiuMv52Zag/olDYr1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "no-permits"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "c90027@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(25) "/forums/users/no-permits/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:14:46"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "no-permits"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176811)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

why would you tip when you are paying for the job? you tip the pizza kid, waiter/waitress, not an electrician.