Tipping workers?

We have guys working on building our backyard patio and retaining wall- masonry, bluestone, etc Basically working for two days to get it all done– about 6 guys total including the company owner. Not a cheap project, but I figure a tip is still in order. What’s good for tips? How much? And to each guy or just give full amount to owner and trust him to distribute? (he seems to be a pretty honest guy) Any advice appreciated.

stickerhappy

in Roofers 10 years and 11 months ago

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jjq | 10 years and 11 months ago

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Well… Most small jobs, say under $5k, (the jobs that require tipping) lasted 3 to 5 days, and required no more than two guys. My tile job was 6 complete days, just under 1000 sqft. The tip worked out to be $120 per guy $240…. The bill nearly $10k. The longer term contracts, say plumbing and electric and framing– the jobs where the contractor actually was working– I gave the “apprentice” $15/day. My plumbing rehash took 25 full days. I gave the plumbers guy $350 at the end of the job. That’s short money to make sure I have a phone number of a laborer (not a contractor) that can come back and do repairs, make changes etc.

asimplenoise | 10 years and 11 months ago

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Really? Is this normal practice?

jjq | 10 years and 11 months ago

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I tip each laborer $20/day. I don’t tip the contractor… But I do let him know I’m tipping his crew. We recently gut renovated a 3 floor brownstone– new plumbing, new electric, 3 bathrooms of tile work, reframing here and there, new kitchen, sanding and finishing floors, 10 rooms painting and skimming. I specifically asked each crew, and the $15-20/day figure seemed about right. Of course we had some crews which I did not tip because of stolen or ruined tools (my tools– ruined chop saw, stolen laser level), shoddy craftsmanship, etc. I took only the head guy aside and explained why I was not tipping