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Big Tippin' question...

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by deansrobinson, Feb 19, 2020.

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  1. deansrobinson

    deansrobinson VIP Whale

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    So lemme axe you a quextion...on big ticket items (house painting, tile, etc.), do you "tip" the guys doin' the actual labor? And if so, how much is customary?

    The reason I'm asking is, we're doing some work and dropping around $30K on multiple projects. It's my contention that I am not expected to 'tip' for stuff like this. The Mrs., ever conscious to how hard these fellas work, feels we should provide some folding green.

    Sooo...point me in the right direction, ok?
     
  2. Zapper

    Zapper Low-Roller

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    Nothing near that big a job but I had a composite deck installed last yr. I bought the decking boards/hardware supplies, labour cost was in the $2500 ish range. I tipped em 2 hundy.
     
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  3. flyguyfl

    flyguyfl MIA

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    Nope. I deal with companies that receive a good sum for the work and expect them to pay the workers well. Now every now and then I tip the garbage collectors.
     
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  4. Jackpot Johnny

    Jackpot Johnny Wynn Fan

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    I would not tip, but we do things like bring donuts and buy them lunch. We’re building a house right now and when I show up with boxes of donuts or a couple of pizzas, those guys light up.

    For things like housepainters or big item delivery or install guys I do tip, but not much-I give them twenty or thirty and say, “Get yourself some lunch or a beer tonight. Thanks”
     
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  5. stlguy197239

    stlguy197239 VIP Whale

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    That's a tough one. When I have moved in the past, I have tipped the movers with some cash and beer, but for things like home repairs, installations, etc, I have to assume that the guys doing the work are compensated for their time so I would not tip them.
     
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  6. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    When my house was being built, I brought them a case of beer every Friday at quitting time.
     
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  7. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    We had a contractor in our house on/off for months back a few houses ago. I sold him a car. lol Now the day laborers moving yards and yards of DG by hand, I'd pick up their lunch. Painters, no. Window-coverings crew, no. Movers, yes. Depends.
     
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  8. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    If a delivery guy will be nice and bring something heavy in where I want it, as opposed to just dumping it in the driveway or front porch, I'll always tip him. I haven't moved for some time, but yes, I did tip them.

    The lawn service, the snow service, and plumbers, carpenters, electricians and painters and such, nope.
     
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  9. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    We recently had about $50,000 worth of deck-work done. While I paid the contractor the agreed upon amount, I did pick-up $100 Wal-Mart cards for the 4 fellas who did the work. We also had an $80,000 kitchen remodel done and I did a similar thing, though the contractor stopped by almost daily, 3 other guys did all the work. I also bought them lunch several times (Subway, pizza kinda thing). We've purchased furniture and appliances over the years and usually delivered by a couple fellas and I'll give them each ten or twenty bucks depending on the challenge our delivery causes and/or how friendly/courteous they are...

    General service providers as mentioned above by @dmr we don't tip, except at Christmas time for the regular providers.
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2020
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  10. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

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    I felt compelled to contribute to this thread (note my screen name! lol)

    I do not tip for that sort of work. These folks are not dependent on tips like service industry people are.

    I DO try to ingratiate myself with them early in the process by offering drinks and food. Treating workers like human beings doesn't require tipping in my mind.
     
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  11. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    No, as a general rule, I do not tip them.

    If they do something extra - not normally expected for the contracted job - then, yeah - I tip.
    For example, I had a small roof repair done a few years ago, and the guys had to remove and then re-install my satellite dish. I gave each them $10.
     
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  12. checkchange

    checkchange Low-Roller

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    Hell no you have already generously tipped aka their markup.
     
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  13. pressitagain

    pressitagain VIP Whale

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    Ok. You’re on my turf.....LOL.

    Contractor.....no tip. Ever.

    Trades.....no tip. Coffee. Lunch. Beer when the entire job is done.....100 percent.

    If you want a little extra from a trade, without the contractor knowing? Sliding the trade some money.....100 percent. But that’s not considered a tip because you’re paying them to do a little bit extra.
     
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  14. The Rumor

    The Rumor VIP Whale

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    If I hire a general contractor and pay him tens of thousands of dollars to do a job, I'm not tipping them. I might leave out waters on a hot day or something like that, but the idea that I'm supposed to tip skilled trades people who are being paid a decent wage is silly to me.
     
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  15. Sprocket

    Sprocket Low-Roller

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    Do you tip your banker? Do you tip the person changing your oil? How about the costco till person? It wouldn't even cross my mind to tip a contractor until I read this, now I'm worried!

    Now, if one of my buddies is doing an electrical job or plumbing job for me, and the regular cost is 1000, and they do it for cost, I will take them out for dinner, or offer the same time of discount on any service I can provide because they have done me a favor.

    I also pay right away, and in cash if they request.
     
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  16. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    It's simple: Different strokes for different folks.
     
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  17. Gino

    Gino "The King of Inappropriate."

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    I always tip $100 at the end of the project for all the laborers.

    I'm also big on providing lunches/dinners every once in a while.

    Beers/booze on Friday..

    Can't go wrong with doing all three or one of the above imo...
     
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  18. deansrobinson

    deansrobinson VIP Whale

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    Thank you so much, sports fans. 'preaciate the input.
    The Mrs. does do coffee & donuts in the a.m.
     
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  19. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    For those big projects I don't tip money.

    But I will provide a cooler with drinks like bottled water, juices, energy drinks, Gatorade, etc. I also will do lunch runs for those working'

    I used to "tip" with beer but not a good thing nowadays with DUI. If it is what is preferred it is warm and in the case ready to take home, not chilled and iced down, ready to drink.....
     
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  20. pressitagain

    pressitagain VIP Whale

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    That’s always...more than enough.

    Let us know how it goes?

    Good luck!!!
     
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