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Is it normal practice to tip a builder?

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
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Comments

  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,072 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    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.
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • jimexbox
    jimexbox Posts: 12,478 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    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
    Canucklehead Posts: 6,254 Forumite
    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
    Ask to see CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering)
  • Canucklehead
    Canucklehead Posts: 6,254 Forumite
    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
    Ask to see CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering)
  • jimexbox
    jimexbox Posts: 12,478 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    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
    andyhop Posts: 1,996 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    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
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure
  • Canucklehead
    Canucklehead Posts: 6,254 Forumite
    jimexbox wrote: »
    Full wet central heating system installed from scratch.

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

    Canucklehead
    Ask to see CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering)
  • jimexbox
    jimexbox Posts: 12,478 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    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
    bellrooster Posts: 1,030 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    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
    Canucklehead Posts: 6,254 Forumite
    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
    Ask to see CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering)
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