topic Do I Tip? in Community Chat

Do I Tip?

kivah — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 00:10:12 GMT

I just ordered a shutter for my downstairs bedroom window - the owner of the company came to my house. In a few weeks, one of his workers will be here to install. Do u ever tip the worker in a similar situation? If so, how much?

In the past I always dealt with the owner of window treatment companies.

Re: Do I Tip?

Cakers3 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 00:24:39 GMT

Re: Do I Tip?

Venezia — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 00:17:32 GMT

In the situation the OP has given, no, I wouldn't tip.

Re: Do I Tip?

SahmIam — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 00:19:29 GMT

No.

Re: Do I Tip?

suzyQ3 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 00:20:23 GMT

We generally don't tip in such cases unless we've asked the worker(s) to go above and beyond or they did so on their own. Usually, that would be after a big project.

We did tip our moving guys because they were exceptional, and we did the same with a couple other jobs.

For one shutter installation? I don't think so.

Re: Do I Tip?

Kachina624 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 00:24:33 GMT

No, this is not a service worker earning minimum wage.

Re: Do I Tip?

jannabelle1 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 00:54:24 GMT

No, I wouldn't tip a guy hanging a couple of shutters. I've tipped movers in the past, and I tipped the painters who painted the entire interior of our home because they really did some extra things that helped me out.

Re: Do I Tip?

GCR18 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 01:20:26 GMT

If I paid to have it installed, I wouldn't tip.

Re: Do I Tip?

phoenixbrd — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 01:21:49 GMT

No, he is doing his job. If you asked him to go above and beyond with a personal request, I would pay an appropriate amount for the extra work done.

Re: Do I Tip?

panda1234 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 01:25:53 GMT

NEVER

Re: Do I Tip?

Mominohio — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 01:30:42 GMT

We are by no means rich or even well off, but we have reached a point in our financial life, where we are able to (and sometimes now need to) hire some things done that we cannot.

We are also able to tip for things like this now, where in many years we were not.

So I play every situation by ear and see what happens. If the work is very demanding (either physically or dangerous, or intricate), if the person is personable, does good work, cleans up extra good, goes the extra mile, I will try and tip.

What they make (many workers don't make as much money as you might think in the contractor business, they work for someone else and often don't get paid a lot), how reasonable the quote is, how timely they arrive, attitude, willingness to explain to us and answer questions we have etc. all enter into it.

I tend not to tip regular service workers that I know make good money, like plumber, electrician, furnace repair etc. unless there is some reason they really had to go above and beyond.

Re: Do I Tip?

missy1 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 01:37:16 GMT

I probably would. I give like 5-10 and tell them to get a 6-pack.

Re: Do I Tip?

January121 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 02:31:12 GMT

I never tip the owner but, I always tip the workers ... I am comfortable doing that & that’s all that matters to me. 🙃

Re: Do I Tip?

kivah — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 02:34:50 GMT

It's unanimous - I won't tip the guy who will be installing 1 shutter. The shutter wasn't cheap. Last year I tiled my stall shower and floor in master bath dressing area/walk-in closet.- and I tipped the guys generously as the work was hard. Thanks for ur advice.

Re: Do I Tip?

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 04:05:16 GMT

My husband and I ALWAYS tip and tip prior to the job being done. Last year we had new windows installed in an old mid-century modern home. The installers were shocked when tipped in advance (as are most contractors). These guys did a phenomanal job and went up and beyond the scope. The year before we had an old two time shingled roof torn off and a new one put on. Again, we tipped 4 roofers up front and put out a cooler full of ice cold water, soft drinks and iced tea. There was not one nail left on our property and the roof is gorgeous. There's nothing wrong with being kind to those who work hard to make our lives better. Monday the furnace will get cleaned and serviced. Danny, who has been servicing it for years (we always request him), will be tipped before he starts and always is grateful and does a terrific job.

Re: Do I Tip?

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 05:13:43 GMT

IMO, this would not be a tipping situation.

Re: Do I Tip?

froggy — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 05:22:06 GMT

For a simple non-demanding job we wouldn't tip. If it's a long, difficult sweaty job then we would probably tip. Or if they seem to go above and beyond then yes. Many of the jobs we have done around the house are lower paid workmen who work for the owner or contractor. If it doesn't hurt my pocketbook I figure they need it more than I do.

We also offer water and/or soda. Some take it, some refuse.

Re: Do I Tip?

Meowingkitty — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 13:10:29 GMT

I don’t tip people who install things but I do tip people who do manual labor. For instance I hired a junk company to take a bunch of concrete and bricks among other things from my back yard. Lots of heavy lifting.

Re: Do I Tip?

riley1 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 13:24:09 GMT

No.

Re: Do I Tip?

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 13:35:08 GMT

No. In this situation I would not.