Tipping workers

[libbygrl109]

I’ve been on some FB remodeling groups, there is always a debate about tipping the people that come in for reno projects. Do you give tips when you have work done at your house? How much? I’m just trying to think ahead and make sure I have money set aside in our budget if I need to tip the workers at the end.

[macmars45]

It wouldn't occur to me to tip people working on a reno for me.

[tacokick]

I wouldn’t tip someone I hired to do a job. I guess if you were concerned about the workers not being paid fairly you could ask what their pay is and hire a company that pays a good wage. But it’s not like restaurant work where their wage is artificially low and dependent on tips.

[libbygrl109]

It honestly never occurred to me, either, mainly because anyone I ever had do work for me owned their own business. I was just surprised by all the people being offended by those who didn’t tip workers.

[treedimensional]

No.

[steph2008]

We just moved a week ago and are in the midst of ton of work, and the only people I've tipped so far were the movers and furniture delivery.

We have painters here now (not tipping), and then we have a contractor doing molding and new doors (not tipping), and a contractor replacing our railing and one putting in hardwood upstairs in the hall, and I'm not tipping any of them.

[divanerd]

I provide tip but not like 15% or anything

[lolalolalola]

No. This is not a thing.

[simpsongal]

I provide drinks and sometimes lunch. It's a nice gesture, but still not required. Occasionally, I give money for lunch out.

I've only done this for major renos though - not 1-4 day projects.

[RockNVoll]

The tipping culture here is out of control.

[ellipses84]

I tip furniture movers or appliance installers, and at holidays for regular maintenance people (lawn, pool, cleaner) but not subcontractors for construction work. Most are happy if you offer water and use of a bathroom.

I learned when living in TX that people often tip beer. I didn’t believe it at first when DH told me that, but a friend who is an exterminator confirmed it happens all the time. He’ll accept it and take it home for later since he can’t drink on the job or get into his company truck after a drink.

[mrsukyankee]

For contractors/workers, we supplied tea/kettle and biscuits (cookies). That's all that is expected over here.

[libbygrl109]

Jul 8, 2021 11:18:19 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

I tip furniture movers or appliance installers, and at holidays for regular maintenance people (lawn, pool, cleaner) but not subcontractors for construction work. Most are happy if you offer water and use of a bathroom.

I learned when living in TX that people often tip beer. I didn’t believe it at first when DH told me that, but a friend who is an exterminator confirmed it happens all the time. He’ll accept it and take it home for later since he can’t drink on the job or get into his company truck after a drink.

That is interesting! We aren’t from TX, but are having the work done around the holidays, so that may be something to throw in for them 😄.

[lo]

Jul 9, 2021 3:56:33 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

For contractors/workers, we supplied tea/kettle and biscuits (cookies). That's all that is expected over here.

My mom lives in Ireland and figured out the hard way that this is basically a requirement! A plumber wouldn’t go back to her since she didn’t offer him a tea. She’s super nice, just didn’t realize, lol.

[mrsukyankee]

Jul 12, 2021 14:01:49 GMT -5 lo said:

Jul 9, 2021 3:56:33 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

For contractors/workers, we supplied tea/kettle and biscuits (cookies). That's all that is expected over here.

My mom lives in Ireland and figured out the hard way that this is basically a requirement! A plumber wouldn’t go back to her since she didn’t offer him a tea. She’s super nice, just didn’t realize, lol.

We were lucky that our neighbours were talking about this before our first renovation!

[rubytue]

H use to work residential service (electrician). He was tipped maybe once or twice a month. Usually just a $10 to get some lunch. Always was happy about, but never expected it.

Just a side note, he always mentioned that the tips always came from the more working class neighborhoods. He worked the gamut on northern Virginia, from the super pricey areas (Great Falls, for locals) to the RT 1 corridor of Alexandria. And it was not great falls tipping. Which I always found fascinating.

[aspentosh]

We have a bathroom reno going on, and even have tilers here today on a Sunday because the original one week timeline has doubled already and we're looking at probably another week I am offering water, donuts last Friday, some baked goods, and then will likely offer $10 to each person on one of the last days for lunch. But nothing else.