This is a very boring subject but I’m always at a loss on what to tip workers for repair/household work. I searched the internet and came up with widely different answers with how much to pay my house painters. It’s a $10,000 paint job and several sights say pay 10% to 15% and another says to pay $10 to $20 per painter…way, way, way different answers. They did a good job, were professional, timely, and cleaned up daily. How much would you tip?
I don’t tip workers at my house. I get bids and expect the business owners to pay their own employees. IMO, these aren’t tipping jobs. Once I did because the painters got me out of a jam when I had to fire one painting contractor mid-project and the other was kind enough to squeeze me into their busy summer.
I agree with doschicos, have never tipped painters, handymen, other contractors, etc. I do typically offer them water, gatorade, sometimes snacks, but no tips.
" They did a good job, were professional, timely, and cleaned up daily"
I’d add that is part of their job and to be expected, right?
One thing I do is spread the word on the community facebook pages when a service provider does a great job.
I would only tip somebody who did something that was not part of their job. When we first moved into our house we had worker, who was doing another job for us, go up on the roof and remove the old antenna for us. It wasn’t part of the job he was doing so I gave him some money. Otherwise, I have never tipped a contractor or worker.
I don’t tip painters, carpenters, handymen. I did give the window washer/power washer man more than he asked because his fee was way too low. Next time he came back his rates had been “adjusted” to be competitive with our area.
@doschicos," They did a good job, were professional, timely, and cleaned up daily"
yes, that should be expected, however when I was searching for bids from different companies the postings on various sites didn’t seem to show that as standard for many of the contracting businesses, especially painting.
Thank you all for the responses.
I did tip the housepainters. They were two guys (working for a company) who totally stripped it down to the original wood, knocked themselves out, and these last two guys needed 3 months. (The job was more than I expected and tougher than the company did. Several teams before them couldn’t handle it.) I gave each $50. Why? Because they’re low paid and deserved it.
We do tip delivery guys. A little. We don’t tip the guys who operate their own companies, their profit is in their quotes. Or more tech guys who make more than minimum wage.
We don’t tip our contractors but we provide snacks and water for them. The siding crew worked during a terrible heat spell, and we had a cooler full of soft drinks, fruit, snack bars, and water for them every day. They really appreciated that.
I’ve not tipped the folks who do work at my home, i.e., plumber, painters, appliance repair, media repair, etc. The only exceptions are my housekeeper, her helper, and the young woman who works for our landscaper. She’ll come by and water my plants and deck planters when we’re away for any length of time. These folks are at our house on a regular basis and I give them a Christmas gift of cash.
I’ve never tipped workmen in my home. But for someone there a while, I have water, a pot of coffee, and at least one day I get pastries or donuts.
I’ve never tipped a painter or carpenter, etc.
I don’t tip painters, carpenters, etc. either. They are well paid professionals. I don’t tip my doctor either.
I don’t tip painters, carpenters, etc. either. I did tip the movers.
My painters were not guys running their own company. Not educated men with other options or “well paid.” And professional, only in the sense of not amateurs. (And of course, pro as in courteous, etc.)
I had no issue sharing $100 with them. It was a full summer job. What I paid the company was well less than expected in my area. The dishwasher repair guy or Verizon, no. My lawn guys (also limited skills and income. I probably should, at the end of the season.)
OP heard 10%. Not. Not in my book.
I don’t tip in these situations either but like others here, have provided drinks and snacks.
I wouldn’t tip in this situation. I will provide water and in some situations (eg. movers) a fast food lunch.
I don’t tip for these kinds of jobs unless the workman does something extra, which to me is a separate job. For example, my painter noticed our gutter was filling up with leaves and blew those out for me. I gave him an extra $100 even though he did not ask for it and he worked for himself. I also recommended him to a bunch of other friends who needed painting work done.
Well, I have to say I am very surprised at the no tipping responses. These guys are likely not well paid, but are paid the standard going rate for a worker. I did end up tipping them what I thought was fair. It’s always interesting to see how different our perspectives are. I kind of wish our little icons identified the area of the country we live in (i.e. southeast, midwest, gulf coast, etc) just to see if this is a regional view… And by the way, all of our quotes included cleaning the gutters, repairing damaged woodwork, etc. as part of a standard paint job. They did change out my entryway hardware and replaced the motion sensing floodlights on the front and back of my house (they are very high up) without any charge, just as a service because I asked.
Why aren’t they paid properly? Was the quote especially cheap? Does migrant labor in your area result in exploitation?