topic Re: Tipping A Contractor in Community Chat

Tipping A Contractor

Winkk — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:04:14 GMT

I would like to get some feedback from everyone on whether or not to tip a contractor. We have a big project underway at home - new siding, windows, internal trim work and a lot of miscellaneous projects associated with it.

There are mainly two guys doing all the work - the owner and his assistant. The assistant has been doing 90% of the work (the owner has been doing other jobs) and he is excellent. He makes sure every detail is taken care of.

Should we tip him? If so, how much, percentage of the cost of the job? It definitely won't hurt to tip him, but I didn't know if there was a protocol for tipping contractors.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

MamaWick — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:16:10 GMT

I would Google tipping guides, but personally I don't think this is a job that should be tipped.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

Lila Belle — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:18:15 GMT

Perhaps a letter praising their work would be more appropriate.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

Yuban3 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:21:15 GMT

I agree with Mama Wick. I wouldn't tip a contractor either. Sure, I'd give him (or her) bottled water, or cookies, but $? Heck no! I'd already be shelling out enough $ as it was for them to do their job. They don't need additional monies on top of that for them doing their job.

The only people that I tip are:

My hairdresser

taxi driver

wait staff at a restaurant

pizza delivery person.

It seems as though everybody has their hand out for extra $, just for doing their job.

What's next? Tipping the firefighter or paramedic who comes to your home in an emergency?

It's getting ridiculous, and it's getting, way, way, way out of hand.

(edited by me)

Re: Tipping A Contractor

reiki604 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:22:36 GMT

I also am having work done. I provide cold water and have bought pizza for lunch. I will tip the assistants but not the contractor.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

sidsmom — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:23:02 GMT

I believe there are just some things in life that are super simple.

You do the work.
I pay.
Everyone's happy.

Unless you're going to be using them repeatedly, why tip?

Re: Tipping A Contractor

Luv2Decorate — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:24:20 GMT

I don't know if there is any protocol when it comes to tipping contractors but if you think that this guy is doing an outstanding job, I don't see any harm in giving the guy doing the majority of the work a couple hundred dollars, unless he's not allowed to take it...

Hopefully Raven Blackbird will see this thread. She'd know.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

brii — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:39:41 GMT

I don't think it's expected.

If the assistant is doing a great job, I would make sure to tell his boss though.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

ahoymate — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:01:53 GMT

On 7/14/2014 Lila Belle said:
Perhaps a letter praising their work would be more appropriate.

ITA!!! Tipping is not appropriate for a contractor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Tipping A Contractor

Shaunac — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:16:21 GMT

There is no way I would tip a contractor. Don't you think you're paying enough as it is? And, don't you think they've jacked up the prices enough to give themselves a tip???

Re: Tipping A Contractor

lulu2 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:22:16 GMT

On 7/14/2014 Shaunac said:
There is no way I would tip a contractor. Don't you think you're paying enough as it is? And, don't you think they've jacked up the prices enough to give themselves a tip???

I would have to agree.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

Yuban3 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:23:33 GMT

On 7/14/2014 lulu2 said:
On 7/14/2014 Shaunac said:
There is no way I would tip a contractor. Don't you think you're paying enough as it is? And, don't you think they've jacked up the prices enough to give themselves a tip???

I would have to agree.

I would have to agree also.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

beckyb1012 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:24:39 GMT

Extra effort to do a good job or to go above and beyond for you and your family on a job well done would definitely deserve a big plate of brownies or some such item to enjoy on his next job site.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

sunshine45 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:33:56 GMT

we have a refrigerator/freezer in the garage. i always tell contractors to go in and get sodas, juices, waters out of the refrigerator OR they can store their lunches and drinks in there. i also place a large box of snacks (individual bags of chips, gummies, fruit roll ups, granola bars, etc...) nearby that i tell them about also. occasionally i will order them a pizza on me.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

Clover29 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:50:36 GMT

You tip in restaurants because wait staff get $3/hour in wages. Contractors are not the same thing at all.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

Winkk — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 15:53:53 GMT

Thanks all for your replies. After reading your responses I am not going to tip him, but I will find another way to show my appreciation.

Reading the boards always provides good information. Thanks again.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

Cakers1 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:22:17 GMT

Providing lunch/water/etc. is a nice gesture and an offer to be a reference for them would seem sufficient.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

spot555 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:57:22 GMT

I would never tip a contractor.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

------ — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:02:09 GMT

A great referral and/or review is the best tip.

Re: Tipping A Contractor

TheKingsMistress — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:06:20 GMT

I would most definitely tip his assistant who is doing the majority of the work but NOT the owner of the company who is making all the profit and likely just paying the assistant an average wage.