How much to tip for professional landscaping?

[jaminmd]

We are having our yard professionally landscaped. I would like to tip the guys who have busted their behinds to get this done in the July heat but I don't have any idea if there is a standard amount.

Also, I imagine cash would be best vs. some type of gift card. There are 3 guys that have been here every day, so they'll be the ones I tip. There were a few others that I saw come & go but weren't here long.

Any ideas?

 

[kirbsam]

wow, you are a more generous person than i am. i might offer them a cold beverage, but to give them money after you are probably already shelling out a pretty penny for your landscaping is very generous. how much do they get paid per hour?

 

[Minnie_me]

Seriously? A 12-pack of cold beer and subs.

 

[nskjerven]

I agree a 12 pack would be a nice thanks IMHO

 

[Imzadi]

I tipped my guys. They are in college & quoted a low rate to get the job and showed up almost right after I hung up the phone. They also did a bang up job.

I think it really depends on if you will be hiring them back again. Here in NYC, I've found if you tip someone and they know it will happen again, they bend over backwards to keep doing things for you. I know I'll be hiring these guys again so I tipped the two of them each about the equivalent to an extra hour of work. I won't have to worry about them blowing me off or doing a lesser job.

When I worked for tips, I always appreciated money more than food or gifts. Money, I can use to pay the bills or to buy what I really want to eat. I think that is needed more in this economy.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

We have also spent quite a bit of money on landscaping over the past couple of years. It is heartbreaking to watch these guys bust their behinds in 90 degree weather ALL DAY LONG for you-I get that. However, I would never have thought to tip the guys. I do have cold beverages, fresh fruit and cookies outside on the porch while they work. I also put out a radio on the porch so they could enjoy music throughout the day.

If you are going to tip, I personally would choose gift cards over cash. I would put it in a thank-you card.

You are being VERY, VERY generous. I can't imagine how much your lanscaping already set you back.

 

[jaminmd]

Wow, you guys are making me feel great! We paid a substantial amount for this but it includes retaining walls in the backyard so it is a fairly large job which has taken about 1 week. I was afraid some of you were going to say I should tip 10-20%, which is not in the budget.

I have no clue how much they make an hour. I assume the bulk of it goes to the landscaping company.

Thanks for the input. I was afraid if I tipped like $50 each I was being cheap even though I spent a fortune already.

 

[Golf4food]

Nothing beyond drinks or snacks. I'm paying for the services already. It isn't like waitresses/waiters were they only get a pittance and rely on tips to make up the rest.

 

[java]

Wow I didn't even think of tipping. They did ours in one day- I put out drinks for all and that was it. It never occured to me to tip them.

 

[jaminmd]

I think you're all right. DH thought I was nuts, as well as his buddies. They told me to buy them food & cold drinks, which I did. Thanks for setting me straight!

 

[mikehn]

After seeing the fancy 50k trucks they drive around, I realized I didnt need to tip anything. Dont let all the sweat dripping down their faces fool you.

 

[johnsontrio]

We had our one acre lot landscaped after building our home 5 years ago. The job took almost 6 weeks to complete. I put out a cooler with large gatorades or powerades (at least 16) and cases of water every day they worked. I did not tip. From the feedback I got, I would say that most people do not even supply beverages, they were very appreciative of those.

If you had to tip I would say a gas card or cash.

 

[Meriweather]

I wasn't there when our yard (front and back) was landscaped.....DD was. I doubt she even thought to put out drinks for them Never even thought to tell her to do that. I guess that goes with not being there myself. (I haven't even seen it yet ).
And that was AZ....so VERY hot. But I guess they are used to that, right.

 

[janey99]

I was afraid some of you were going to say I should tip 10-20%, which is not in the budget.
QUOTE]

My DH's company designs and installs multi-million dollar landscapes - I wish some of those people thought they were supposed to tip 20%!

I think you're really nice to think of it, by the way, so many people watch those guys sweat all day long without a second thought!

Jane

 

[Camicar]

Frankly, I do not tip people whom I am paying quite well to perform a service. I don't tip delivery people unless there is something extraordinary, or plumbers, or electricians, or carpenters, or a tailor. They are all getting paid a fee to perform a service, so I see no need to tip them.

 

[sbell111]

We don't tip our lawn guy. He told us how much it would cost to do our lawn. That's how much we pay him.