What the hell do I tip these guys?

[Judge Smails]

I'm having major work done on my house: replacing the roof, new siding, installing solar panels. It's going to run me about $28K when all is said and done.

There's like 8-10 guys running all over my property and I have no idea what I should tip these guys. I had two guys do my bathrooms about a year ago and I tipped them $150.00 each. These guys I don't know. Obviously some guys are doing more work than others, but I can't keep track of who's who. Do I tip the guys who are obviously "illegals" less? Do I identify the guy in charge, or do I give the cash to the owner and trust that they'll split the money fairly? What's a good tip, anyway? I don't want to come off looking cheap, but I also don't want to be a sucker.

This is the first, and probably the only, time in my life that I'm having this much work done. Anyone have any experience on tipping etiquette on house remodelling?

[RAAMONE]

6 bucks

[drjoek]

I dont think this falls under the catergory of tippable jobs. Any money you give the boss will go right in his pocket so that won't work. I would suggest maybe keeping them comfortable with drinks and such while they work. Maybe a few beers at the end of the week.
Since when did we get to a point where we have to tip everyone?

[Jujubees2]

I had my kitchen renovated last year and spent about what you're spending and didn't even think about tipping the guys. I did provide them with drinks.

Where do you draw the line for tipping? I mean I wouldn't tip my doctor or dentist.

[drjoek]

I had my kitchen renovated last year and spent about what you're spending and didn't even think about tipping the guys. I did provide them with drinks.

Where do you draw the line for tipping? I mean I wouldn't tip my doctor or dentist.

:down:

[Freitag]

I had my kitchen renovated last year and spent about what you're spending and didn't even think about tipping the guys. I did provide them with drinks.

Where do you draw the line for tipping? I mean I wouldn't tip my doctor or dentist.

Man's got a point; they're contractors. They might be unionized. They're already charging you an arm and a leg, why tip?

You tip people who make low salaries and are based on tips to make up that salary (waitstaff, bartenders, etc) OR people you get regular (either daily or weekly) service from (mailmen, doormen, trash, etc.)

You also tip people for specialized services like weddings and stuff. Not contractors.

[Kevin]

I had my kitchen renovated last year and spent about what you're spending and didn't even think about tipping the guys. I did provide them with drinks.

Where do you draw the line for tipping? I mean I wouldn't tip my doctor or dentist. With the exception of Dentists who post on RonFez.net

:down:

Fixed!

[Furtherman]

Those aren't guys you tip.

[hurlmon]

[QUOTE] I would suggest maybe keeping them comfortable with drinks and such while they work. Maybe a few beers at the end of the week.
QUOTE]

This is what I did when I had my roof done. I walked outside with a cooler full with water Gatorade and beer, let them know it was there and to help themselves. They were very appreciative.

[topless_mike]

i would supply them with drinks, maybe donuts or bagels one morning. maybe a case of corona on the last day of work.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

hand jobs

:king:

[Judge Smails]

Those aren't guys you tip.

"I tip everybody."

"It's not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping."

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41KE5YZQWNL._SS500_.jpg

All right then. If the concensus is not to tip. You fuckers better not make me look bad. Though, knowing me, I'll probably wind up tipping somebody, something. I'm Italian. It's how I was brought up.

[StupidGirlllll]

Yea I never heard of tipping a contracter they make alot of $ off of you. I say go with the drink thing but if you wanna do more buy them lunch.

[Ritalin]

I agree with everyone else. I think drinks, maybe even sandwiches one day would be sufficient, but I wouldn't tip them.

[Freitag]

"I tip everybody."

"It's not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping."

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41KE5YZQWNL._SS500_.jpg

All right then. If the concensus is not to tip. You fuckers better not make me look bad. Though, knowing me, I'll probably wind up tipping somebody, something. I'm Italian. It's how I was brought up.

Italians also believe in good food, do they not?

Feed 'em. They'll be happy. I heard you can get real fire-baked pizza at AlJon's now.

[Chigworthy]

I supervise a landscape installation company. I've done 5,000 dollar jobs and 250,000 dollar jobs, and there is no standard for tipping. I've done jobs where the homeowners love me and don't give me shit, then I've had jobs that were nightmares and the homeowners tipped me. I've received as much as 150 bucks, but the average is about 50 bucks.

Of course remodeling and ground-up construction takes longer and costs more, so the tipping is higher. My carpenter buddy runs jobs and he will get as much as 500 on ground-up construction. He's been happy to receive a case of wine as well or a gift card for tools. But he also does jobs where he doesn't get tipped. It's more of a bonus. When it happens, you're happy. If you don't get tipped, it's not a big deal. Unless you don't like the homeowner, then you sabotage the work before you leave.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/US_M18a1_claymore_mine.jpg/300px-US_M18a1_claymore_mine.jpg

[Snoogans]

you dont have to tip them. If they are union, they are already getting paid pretty well

[joethebartender]

No tips. But go with the case of Corona, a case of Coors light, and a bunch of pizzas at the end of the job.

[Snacks]

I have never heard anyone tipping anyone doing construction. Why would anyone? You are paying $28,000 thats enough. I have had work done on my home, my previous businesses and the only thing I have ever done is buy them pizza, subs or something like that and always have something to drink for them. And I only do this if I see them busting their ass or if Im friends with the owner or the workers.

[lleeder]

Buy them each a bagel (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=64586)

[Bossanova]

once their finished pay the man and say beat it commoner

[mendyweiss]

http://www.subwayofvantageandhamburg.com/images/catering_bot2-1.gif

[envirogator]

I've got major renovations taking place at my pad right now. On Fridays I fill a cooler (disposable) with beer, give it to the foreman, say thanks and I'll see you on Monday. I've brought in sandwiches once a week and will buy pizzas on the last 'major' day of construction. That's it though...

[Dougie Brootal]

just buy a case of beer on friday. and maybe some pizza.


im italian too, i understand the tipping thing.

[PapaBear]

I'm taking my dog to Petco to get him groomed today. He's getting the whole deal... Bath, nails, haircut, etc. In the past, I've taken him to PetSmart about three times. Each time, I gave them a $5 tip. The last time I went there, they really didn't do much besides give him a bath. I thought I'd give Petco a shot this time, since they just opened one up very close to where I live.

So what's the deal? Are you supposed to tip a dog groomer at a chain place? Whenever I did it at the other place, they almost acted surprised that I was giving them a tip (even though it was just 5 bucks). But then again, each time I went, I got a little less service than the previous time.

Should I tip them? And if I do, how much? I have no idea how much these people get paid, after all.

[jonyrotn]

I'm taking my dog to Petco to get him groomed today. He's getting the whole deal... Bath, nails, haircut, etc. In the past, I've taken him to PetSmart about three times. Each time, I gave them a $5 tip. The last time I went there, they really didn't do much besides give him a bath. I thought I'd give Petco a shot this time, since they just opened one up very close to where I live.

So what's the deal? Are you supposed to tip a dog groomer at a chain place? Whenever I did it at the other place, they almost acted surprised that I was giving them a tip (even though it was just 5 bucks). But then again, each time I went, I got a little less service than the previous time.

Should I tip them? And if I do, how much? I have no idea how much these people get paid, after all.

Anytime I have anyone provide a service for me I tip them..Unless it's the owner of the company, then in most cases I'll refrain.
To groom a dog I would say $5 per :30 mins..He probably gets a decent salary unlike a waitress who can make as little as $2-$3 per hour in salary..

[bigredd]

Not a damn thing unless they keep your ice tea glass full and your bread hot.

[Friday]

What makes someone "obviously illegal"?

And why would you tip them less when you know they are making the least amount for, more than likely, more work than the "obviously legal" workers?

Just wonderin'...

[PapaBear]

Not a damn thing unless they keep your ice tea glass full and your bread hot.
Does that mean you don't tip for a hair cut? That's just crazy.