Is it normal practice to tip a builder?

downshifter

Mornin' all

2 builders have been working on my (rented) house all week, commissioned by the landlord. I have little experience of having building work done and wonder if it's normal to give them a tip once the work is completed? If so, how much?

They seem to have done a good job and have been pleasant and tidy to have around, however they've been working for the landlord and on his house, not me or mine, so not sure what they would expect really. If they had been working on my house I suppose I might have given them a few quid to have a drink on me, but not sure if that's what's expected or different or what really. Can anyone advise please? They'll probably finish tomorrow afternoon. Thanks

DS

Doozergirl

I don't think so!

If I've been happy and they're friendly, I tend to pop out and buy a couple beers to offer them just as they're finishing. Lots

When we moved house they were particularly appreciative of it. I kept them in cans of cold drink through the day and treated them to a beer when they'd finished. It was a hot day and they thought I was great! Seems most people don't look after them like that.

jimexbox

I personally wouldn't tip a builder that I had employed. I paid a plumber 5 grand last year for 3 days work, do you think I tipped him? Ring up your Landlord and see if he wants to tip them.

Canucklehead

Good morning: The OH had a £250 tip from a client in West London just before Christmas 2008 on a Viessmann boiler installation:T.Previous tip...in 2002... 6 bottles of Becks.;)

HTH

Canucklehead

Canucklehead

jimexbox wrote: »

I personally wouldn't tip a builder that I had employed. I paid a plumber 5 grand last year for 3 days work, do you think I tipped him? Ring up your Landlord and see if he wants to tip them.

Hi...£5000 for 3 days plumbing :eek:...where do you live and what did you have done?

Canucklehead

jimexbox

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi...£5000 for 3 days plumbing :eek:...where do you live and what did you have done?

Canucklehead

Full wet central heating system installed from scratch.

andyhop

I agree with doozergirl, offers of tea/coffee and cold drinks work well with tradesman, But you would be suprised with the amount of folk that dont offer even if we have been in there property for two weeks!

Tips, you are not obliged and i could count on one hand out of hundreds of jobs the amount of tips i have recieved

Canucklehead

jimexbox wrote: »

Full wet central heating system installed from scratch.

Not your typical 'plumbing' job then;) Full system in 3 days:eek:

Canucklehead

jimexbox

Canucklehead wrote: »

Not your typical 'plumbing' job then;) Full system in 3 days:eek:

Canucklehead

2 corgi plumbers doing the clever stuff.;) 2 other plumbers hanging the rads etc etc. It was in the middle of winter, so Im glad it was only 3 days. Works great too, nice blokes who got plenty of tea, biscuits and doughnuts. No tips.

bellrooster

Hi!

My OH is a Joiner so works in domestic properties quite a lot! He's never had a tip bigger than a tin of biscuits.. I don't think a tip is expected.

Canucklehead

jimexbox wrote: »

2 corgi plumbers doing the clever stuff.;) 2 other plumbers hanging the rads etc etc. It was in the middle of winter, so Im glad it was only 3 days. Works great too, nice blokes who got plenty of tea, biscuits and doughnuts. No tips.

Hi...explains the cost then...lots of bodies on the job....12 days labour.

Canucklehead