Tipping contractor?????

[nycdisneygal]

We bought a house in CT as we are leaving NYC. We are doing some minor remodelling. First part is almost done- we re-did the master bath. We have paid him almost the whole balance with just a small amount left that I will pay him this week when he finishes. There was an extra 1,250 from initial plan as he found some floor issues when he started. He also painted the kids bedrooms for 475 each. We have now paid a deposit on the next work he will do (add a half bath and build a small coat closet as the existing coat closet will become the half bath). He works alone. When we discussed the final payment he mentioned the work he did above and beyond none of which I felt actually was beyond the work that he had to do other than when a switch broke he went and got new one and installed.
Am i supposed to give a tip or something???
I had to accomodate him and switch my date for my move in cleaning as he needed more time which has inconvenienced me as it is delaying my unpacking and also when they come for cleaning they have to drop me off in town so I can catch a train to NYC (original date was when I would have been there already).
This guys has done work for my dad and is generally a good and honest guy. I have met his wife, she has cancer (doing well)....I think there may have been others cheaper.... (the estimate he gave us to paint outside of house was 9,500. Not sure How that compares....).....

 

[gottalovepluto]

I wouldn’t. But I would go out and get some more bids on the paint to find out if it is reasonable for your house. I’ve seen a couple of my own father’s “generally a good and honest guy” type contractors/mechanics who stated out expensive but decent and were straight up fleecing him years later. Get other bids so you know how it all compares, don’t be guilt tripped into paying more than you agreed on and if you are concerned the work he does going forward won’t be as good if you don’t tip seriously consider putting the brakes on any future work with this person. (The fact you had to delay your move in day is ridiculous and he should have compensated you with a discount for that.)

 

[Alesia]

You don't tip contractors.

 

[unrequited23]

You don't tip contractors.

If you really like your contractor you give them referrals, provide snacks/donuts while they are working, let them use your bathroom, or pay in cash.

 

[TwoMisfits]

If you really like your contractor you give them referrals, provide snacks/donuts while they are working, let them use your bathroom, or pay in cash.

Bingo - and that's what I have also done/am doing for mine...I keep a cooler of bottled water stocked every day for their use during the jobs (went through about a 24 pack/week last summer between all the folks coming and going and grabbing one), they use my bathroom, and I have given multiple referrals after the fact (mine doesn't take cash, and I'd be leery on that just for provability of payment in court if it ever came to that...

 

[mjkacmom]

I

Bingo - and that's what I have also done/am doing for mine...I keep a cooler of bottled water stocked every day for their use during the jobs (went through about a 24 pack/week last summer between all the folks coming and going and grabbing one), they use my bathroom, and I have given multiple referrals after the fact (mine doesn't take cash, and I'd be leery on that just for provability of payment in court if it ever came to that...

I have paid cash many times, always get a receipt. If this is the first time you have had work done on a home, it always runs behind. I mentally double the timeframe in my mind. I tip for everything, but never contractors. The last time I had my house painted, they started late, and my house ended up covered in a tarp for Halloween. I set out a big bowl of candy every day for them.

 

[_19disnA]

I would never tip a contractor. If you like their work, you should consider them for future business and/or let your friends/neighbors know of them. Pay by check instead of credit card if you want to save them the transaction fee. Cash isn't a good idea for a number of reasons.

 

[tvguy]

No tip.

 

[Eastern]

Short answer: no tipping of contractors.

I know some try it. I had a long time contractor who did a lot of jobs for me. Last time I hired him, he went on and on about this wonderful *other customer* he had who ended up giving him like $500 extra. I did not feel bad at all when I did not do the same.

 

[kaytieeldr]

and my house ended up covered in a tarp for Halloween.

Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?

 

[mjkacmom]

Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?

It was a good thing except I had already purchased candy. I had young children at the time and had to go TOTing with them, so I didn’t mind not having to give out candy. The painters emptied the bowl every day!

 

[Anthony1971]

I worked as a contractor for a company through college and a little beyond on weekends when I was working full time. If we were repeat which in most cases we were as we mainly did commercial a fair number would make us or buy lunch some every day some once or twice..... On family we always had a home cooked meal as in a Turkey, a Ham, pasta with meat etc... it was very appreciated and it makes you want to do a good job... as far as price well in a lot of ways you get what you pay for the bottom line is contractors know the price and mostly you will get bids close if you get a low ball expect that kind of work if you get a very high bid run the other way.. The better question is what is included in the bid want 10 a gallon paint or do you want 40 a gallon paint that will last..... As far as timing you mentioned there was an additional issue that takes additional time and mostly a contractor will find issues and time will be added unless you would rather a crap job that is rushed.... Go ahead yell at the contractors be demanding and un understanding that they are people and trying to do the right thing (most of them anyway) you will get repaid with the same type of work... it will great for a year and will last maybe another 2....do not know why anyone would want to piss a person off that should posses the knowledge (providing you choose the right contractor) of what lasts and what does not and can explain why you should spend extra on..........and less on.....

 

[nycdisneygal]

I worked as a contractor for a company through college and a little beyond on weekends when I was working full time. If we were repeat which in most cases we were as we mainly did commercial a fair number would make us or buy lunch some every day some once or twice..... On family we always had a home cooked meal as in a Turkey, a Ham, pasta with meat etc... it was very appreciated and it makes you want to do a good job... as far as price well in a lot of ways you get what you pay for the bottom line is contractors know the price and mostly you will get bids close if you get a low ball expect that kind of work if you get a very high bid run the other way.. The better question is what is included in the bid want 10 a gallon paint or do you want 40 a gallon paint that will last..... As far as timing you mentioned there was an additional issue that takes additional time and mostly a contractor will find issues and time will be added unless you would rather a crap job that is rushed.... Go ahead yell at the contractors be demanding and un understanding that they are people and trying to do the right thing (most of them anyway) you will get repaid with the same type of work... it will great for a year and will last maybe another 2....do not know why anyone would want to piss a person off that should posses the knowledge (providing you choose the right contractor) of what lasts and what does not and can explain why you should spend extra on..........and less on.....

I am sorry but who said anything about yelling at the contractor. I asked about tipping. Thank you.

 

[Judique]

I am sorry but who said anything about yelling at the contractor. I asked about tipping. Thank you.

Tipping should not be expected by a contractor. They should submit an estimate for the job. And, they should state terms up front, such as cash, check or money order or credit card. Any sizable job should also have a contract prepared for both you and the contractor's possible protection. If they are working without proper business procedures in place they should have discounted services and the buyer should expect to get what they pay for. This can work well for buyers who are experienced and can manage a situation, ie knows what the parameters of such jobs are.

They should also have references so that you can possibly get an idea of how satisfied previous clients are.

Also, now there are reviews such as Yelp. I don't put a lot of stock in 'contractor' reviews' unlike something such as a hotel stay. That is because most people reviewing are perhaps the most dissatisfied customers, while the happy customer doesn't do this type of review because they have no complaints.

 

[SteveH]

Tip? Nope, never have. Have I given a bonus? Yes.

In fact just had a contractor do some work, his bids on each job was the lowest and had very good references. One piece of work took a lot longer, but he did a great job on it. So we gave him an extra $200.

When my house was built I would bring a case of cold water out around noon for the crew. Few times at the end of the day I would bring out a 6 pack for the guys. There are 3 floorplans of my home that were built about the same time, with 3 different crews. I has zereo issues and straight walls, can't say the same of the other two.

 

[Meglen]

I live in CT and have had that same conversation with a contractor.. no you dont get extra money for doing a good job or helping us out.. if its not in the payment and you go "above and beyond" it mkaes me want to hire you again or promote your buisiness. Needles to say we didnt ask this person back.

 

[kalynn]

I have never tipped a contractor. They set their own rates unlike a server or bartender who mostly relies on tips for their living. If the job was well done, buy him a bottle of scotch (or some other token) and let him know you are happy to be used as a reference. Even ask if he has a few extra business cards in case you want to refer him to friends.

 

[tvguy]

I have never tipped a contractor. They set their own rates unlike a server or bartender who mostly relies on tips for their living. If the job was well done, buy him a bottle of scotch (or some other token) and let him know you are happy to be used as a reference. Even ask if he has a few extra business cards in case you want to refer him to friends.

The company I used to remodel two of my three bathrooms, my kitchen, all flooring, all doors etc had a policy that they place a port-a-potty in your front yard for the workers. I did not want a port-a-potty in the front yard for 7 months, and had no issue with them using one of our bathrooms. And my wife baked something for them every Monday....cookies.....coffee cake, pie etc. All the workers commented on how much they appreciated those two seemingly small things.

 

[fofinia]

. When we discussed the final payment he mentioned the work he did above and beyond none of which I felt actually was beyond the work that he had to do other than when a switch broke he went and got new one and installed.
Am i supposed to give a tip or something???

No you don't need to tip. My husband is a contractor. Many, many people try to get out of paying the final payment on their jobs. Nice pleasant people who had no issues with the job as it was progressing or no issues with the final product as finished. Many people view the final bill as negotiable. I've asked my husband numerous times to list all the little extra things, things that don't seem beyond the normal scope of work, and show that he completed them. Not to charge for them but to list them. Many people don't have insight to a construction project and can't picture the little things that add up to having a high quality finish. Many people ask for changes as the job goes along and don't realize that some previous step or steps have all ready been completed that now need to be redone because the customer asked for a small change. And a good contractor wants the customer to be happy. So they make the small change and don't add a change work order and an increase in bill.

My take on your contractor: "Please don't negotiate/get me down on my final payment. I've done good work for you and I've done this, this and this so you'll be very happy with the final product."

 

[nycdisneygal]

No you don't need to tip. My husband is a contractor. Many, many people try to get out of paying the final payment on their jobs. Nice pleasant people who had no issues with the job as it was progressing or no issues with the final product as finished. Many people view the final bill as negotiable. I've asked my husband numerous times to list all the little extra things, things that don't seem beyond the normal scope of work, and show that he completed them. Not to charge for them but to list them. Many people don't have insight to a construction project and can't picture the little things that add up to having a high quality finish. Many people ask for changes as the job goes along and don't realize that some previous step or steps have all ready been completed that now need to be redone because the customer asked for a small change. And a good contractor wants the customer to be happy. So they make the small change and don't add a change work order and an increase in bill.

My take on your contractor: "Please don't negotiate/get me down on my final payment. I've done good work for you and I've done this, this and this so you'll be very happy with the final product."

Thanks for that explanation. Negotiating down the price after it started (and after he added necessary charges for some extra work) is not something I even thought of, and of course he called us each time he found some problems with the foundation that needed extra work and money (and he specified how much) and we gave him the go-ahead each time. But I guess thats what he meant and I did not understand as I would never have dreamt of trying to not pay him for what we agreed on. I would not be able to sleep at night if I did anything like that. In any case, I gave him an extra $50. And half of the payment for the next job he will do for us