Would you tip a tradesman??

evoke

I've tipped a tradesman a few times. Sometimes for a small job. For example a couple of hours helping me put together a large wardrobe i've tipped him a tenner on a £60 job.

A much larger tip was for my decorators - a team of four people. They has quoted me for a job but discovered that all of my walls and ceilings needed skimming after they has removed the old wallpaper. They were too embarrassed to alter the original estimate and they had a lot of extra material costs (plaster) and the job was extended by a full week. They eventually asked me to cover the extra material costs but I also made sure that I gave them the additional labour costs too as they were a nice, trustworthy bunch who did a fantastic job anyway.

I think if you get on well with the tradesman and can afford to 'keep him sweet' and you think you may use him again then a small tip is a good thing to do.

It really is basic human nature: being treated nicely, with courtesy and respect works wonders most of the time.

jonnyb1978

Thanks. Wasnt looking for myself. It was more a discussion point. You get a mixture of tradesmen. Some grumpy, happy, like to take time out to chat etc. Some like a bit of help other want to be left alone. Guess it all depends on their particular character. I always make drinks, lunch etc make them feel welcome.

jonnyb1978

evoke wrote: »

I've tipped a tradesman a few times. Sometimes for a small job. For example a couple of hours helping me put together a large wardrobe i've tipped him a tenner on a £60 job.

A much larger tip was for my decorators - a team of four people. They has quoted me for a job but discovered that all of my walls and ceilings needed skimming after they has removed the old wallpaper. They were too embarrassed to alter the original estimate and they had a lot of extra material costs (plaster) and the job was extended by a full week. They eventually asked me to cover the extra material costs but I also made sure that I gave them the additional labour costs too as they were a nice, trustworthy bunch who did a fantastic job anyway.

I think if you get on well with the tradesman and can afford to 'keep him sweet' and you think you may use him again then a small tip is a good thing to do.


It really is basic human nature: being treated nicely, with courtesy and respect works wonders most of the time.

I agree. 3 day job into 4 was mine. People so they should charge extra. Maybe the tradesmen didnt realise the extent of the job and under quoted. It just took longer than he thought ' This job is very intricate' where his words plus something else beyond our control happened. Had one clown reckon he could do it in a day with a ridiculous low quote..My tradesmen never quotes for 3 days, he quoted for the job. If he tried to charge me extra I would of been peed off and more negative. As a result the job is 100% spot on. Nice fella, trustworthy and honest and I will be getting him back to refurbish our bathroom.

kathrynha

Generally don't tip them but always treat them well. If the job is anything more than an hour they will get offered a drink, and a bit of home baking always goes down well.
When we had our roof replaced the other year and it was a scorcher of a week gave them a key to the shed (was out at work) and told them to help themselves to ice creams from the freezer in there, and that they could use it to keep lunches and drinks cool.

Also if they are good I always make sure I reccomend them to others. Our kitchen fitted has fitted 8 kitchens as a result of my reccomendations

Alikay

We tip tradesmen if they've done a good job for a fair price. An extra £10 or £20, or maybe a bottle of wine if it's been a small job. When we had a team of tradesmen doing a day's landscaping they got a 4 pack of beer each rather than tipping the business owner.

I did NOT tip the removals man who strode into our house and splattered the messiest, smelliest dump ever in my freshly-cleaned-to-March-Out-standards bathroom :mad: (sorry, tmi)

cattie

I often tip tradesmen if I feel they have done an excellent job for me & given me more than I expected.

Obviously if I felt that their rates were on the high side then I wouldn't do so, but I've been lucky in that the majority of people I've used have had the attitude of wanting to give a good standard of work for a fair price rather than trying to milk as much as they can from a particular job.

Recently my floor restorer, decorator & carpenter/general handyman have all received extra from me above what they quoted for the work.

Like evoke, I believe if you look after your tradesmen it pays dividends as if you have them to do more work for you, then they will go out of their way to repay you for your kindness.

muckybutt

Speaking from a tradesman's point of view I never expect to receive tips, it's always nice though when the work you have done is appreciated and a tip is forthcoming.

Some times it's a fiver for a pint etc, however I have had boxes of wine and crates of beer as well, one lass I did work for made breakfast every morning, then elevenses and afternoon tea as well - I tipped her though as she was fantastic...bless her, still remember her name Mary

More often than not if a customer is polite then I do go that extra mile doing work for them that maybe wasn't expected, don't expect anything for it but it shows you appreciate them and that they have given you the work, and you'll most likely get called back to do more work for them and recommendations to their friends and family as well.