Tipping handymen

[crayon3448]

Our property was hit by a drunk driver and there was significant damage to the retaining wall. Their insurance company is paying to fix the damage, the appraiser came and we received a check. The man fixing the wall gave us an estimate that is well under the appraisal value- and even told us he thought that would happen when giving the estimate. The work is in the middle of being done, and provided everything turns out nicely we'd like to give him some extra. He's charging us 1700, what would be a good amount to tip?

 

[buzz2400]

My father is a handyman and he thinks it is great whenever anyone gives him a little something. Give what you want. My father has been given bottles of wine, gift cards to local restaurants, etc. It is the thought that counts.

 

[IUTBAM]

I've been through two fairly substantial homeowner's insurance claims in the last few years, and just wanted to chime in to make sure you get more than one estimate! And check the BBB website to look for reports against your contractor.

I personally wouldn't tip a contractor, but that's just me.

 

[wiigirl]

My father is a handyman and he thinks it is great whenever anyone gives him a little something. Give what you want. My father has been given bottles of wine, gift cards to local restaurants, etc. It is the thought that counts.

 

[The Hendies]

We tend to tip those whose work is above and beyond. We would probably go with between $30 - $50 depending on how pleased we are with the work.

 

[tvguy]

I don't tip contractors.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I don't tip contractors.

1) Neither do we.
2) We assume they gave us a appropriate quote.
3) Thus, nothing else is due.
4) However, we do other things for the workers.
. . . we offer soda pop for morning & afternoon breaks
. . . we offer fresh choc-chip cookies in the afternoon
5) We also do this 3-4 times per year for
. . . the gardener who does lawn mowing, edging, hedge trimming, etc
. . . the garbage men by putting a bag of pop and cookies on the curb

NOTE: My step-father was a Finish Carpenter. Oh hot days, he and his
crew always appreciated a cold pop and cookies. Of course, when they
were working at ground level, they never turned down a cold beer!

 

[ORDisneyfans]

We own an HVAC business and it amazes me when my guys get tips. Yes they are really good at their job, clean and respectful. We do a great job at a fair price. Not the cheapest by far. However, my guys have been tipped between $20 and $100 on more than one occasion. They have also received wine, homemade pies, breads and cookies, smoked salmon and many lunches. All are greatly appreciated but never expected.

I say go with your gut and tip accordingly.

 

[Bob NC]

All totally personal preference.

It's not right or wrong to tip in this situation.

Sometimes we feel that the service given was deserving of a little something extra. In this type of case I'm sure it's never really expected.

When I receive exceptional service in a case like this I might tip an amount equal to a lunch for the workers involved.

I might hand them an amount equal to maybe $20 each and just tell them to have a lunch or beer after work on me.

 

[tvguy]

Tipping has always been difficult.

The trend in the last 15 years among what traditionally been non-tipped jobs wanting tips has only clouded the picture.

And I guess your personal work experience is a factor too. I worked a number of minimum wage jobs, none of them tipped positions. When I was out washing and vaccuuming rental cars in 100 degree heat and bringing them up to customers, I never got, and never expected a tip. And I worked at least as hard as a waiter in a nice air conditoned restaurant.
I should add, I worked in California, where there is no such thing as a "sub-minimum wage" for tipped positions. Someone waiting tables in Texas for $2.13 an hour certainly is different from someone in San Francisco doing the same job where there is a living wage law requires a minimum wage of $10.55 an hour BEFORE tips.