Tipping Question

[mackeysmom]

Hi -

I'm having some painting/wallpaper removal done in my home. The owner of the company arrived this morning at 7:30 with one worker. He left the worker at my house, while he (the owner) came and went a few times to check on the status. His worker stayed until 4:30 when the owner picked him up. They will be back tomorrow to finish the job.

When the job is completed tomorrow, I will be paying the owner - but feel that I should tip the worker. He worked quietly, cleanly, has done a great job so far (only took a lunch break because I sort of forced him to and made him a sandwich!)

How much would you guys tip in a situation like this? It has been a while since I've had this type of work done and I'm not sure of the going rate.

FWIW - I consider myself a pretty good tipper for a job well done - I probably tip more than what is considered average.

I'd appreciate any input

-- Laura

 

[LMC]

I would tip him directly and before the owner returns at the end of the job. Make sure the worker knows that the $$ is for him and not payment for the entire job.

 

[Art 1]

$20.

 

[Gigi22]

We do not tip employees of companies who do renovations or decorating for us. The contractor we deal with the most charges us a very respectable rate, he retains his workers for several years--so we know that they are well paid too. I feel it would be presumptuous of me to tip my contractor's employees.

 

[We_Love_Disney]

Hi -

I'm having some painting/wallpaper removal done in my home. The owner of the company arrived this morning at 7:30 with one worker. He left the worker at my house, while he (the owner) came and went a few times to check on the status. His worker stayed until 4:30 when the owner picked him up. They will be back tomorrow to finish the job.

When the job is completed tomorrow, I will be paying the owner - but feel that I should tip the worker. He worked quietly, cleanly, has done a great job so far (only took a lunch break because I sort of forced him to and made him a sandwich!)

How much would you guys tip in a situation like this? It has been a while since I've had this type of work done and I'm not sure of the going rate.

FWIW - I consider myself a pretty good tipper for a job well done - I probably tip more than what is considered average.

I'd appreciate any input

-- Laura

You tip NOTHING! He is being paid by his employer.

 

[golfgal]

I agree with others, this is not a "tipping" situation. He is getting paid to do a job. I REALLY wish our country would move away from all the tipping.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I agree with the others, you don't tip.

You already went above and beyond by making him a sandwich. And just to add, any breaks he gets are to be determined by his boss and labor regulations.

 

[mackeysmom]

Thanks for the input - I appreciate your opinions

And just to add, any breaks he gets are to be determined by his boss and labor regulations.

I get the impression that he is an "off the books" worker - so not sure that there are any standard breaks/lunches for him. He was working so hard and it was a really warm day out - I just kind of felt for him, you know?

They came back today at 7:00. Same thing - boss came in for a few minutes and then left. I put out some OJ, water, cookies, bagels, etc and just told him to help himself throughout the day as he needed/wanted.

I REALLY wish our country would move away from all the tipping.

Normally I agree (my drycleaner has a tip jar now and it annoys the heck out of me!) - but for some reason when it comes to heavy/hard labor, I tend to think differently.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I agree with others, this is not a "tipping" situation. He is getting paid to do a job. I REALLY wish our country would move away from all the tipping.

Amen.

 

[BunsenH]

Slip the guy $20. That, the snacks, and your friendly attitude will make you a customer to remember (when he has his own business!).

 

[golfgal]

Thanks for the input - I appreciate your opinions



I get the impression that he is an "off the books" worker - so not sure that there are any standard breaks/lunches for him. He was working so hard and it was a really warm day out - I just kind of felt for him, you know?

They came back today at 7:00. Same thing - boss came in for a few minutes and then left. I put out some OJ, water, cookies, bagels, etc and just told him to help himself throughout the day as he needed/wanted.



Normally I agree (my drycleaner has a tip jar now and it annoys the heck out of me!) - but for some reason when it comes to heavy/hard labor, I tend to think differently.

He could be a sub-contractor, very common in the industry. He is paid via 1099 vs W-2. Most likely he didn't take breaks because that means he gets done with his day earlier.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Hi -

I'm having some painting/wallpaper removal done in my home. The owner of the company arrived this morning at 7:30 with one worker. He left the worker at my house, while he (the owner) came and went a few times to check on the status. His worker stayed until 4:30 when the owner picked him up. They will be back tomorrow to finish the job.

When the job is completed tomorrow, I will be paying the owner - but feel that I should tip the worker. He worked quietly, cleanly, has done a great job so far (only took a lunch break because I sort of forced him to and made him a sandwich!)

How much would you guys tip in a situation like this? It has been a while since I've had this type of work done and I'm not sure of the going rate.

FWIW - I consider myself a pretty good tipper for a job well done - I probably tip more than what is considered average.

I'd appreciate any input

-- Laura

I would tip $25. Wallpaper removal is a PITA and the tip is just a little something to show your appreciation.

 

[Muushka]

I would tip $25. Wallpaper removal is a PITA and the tip is just a little something to show your appreciation.

But you paid them to remove it.

Personally, I don't tip unless whoever is doing work in my house has gone above and beyond what they were required.

That being said, I am good to people who work in my house. I always offer for them to use the restroom, without them having to ask.

I give lunch/treats/drinks. It is always appreciated.

 

[sbell111]

We would not tip for this.

 

[MIGrandma]

I wouldn't tip for that, and I would think he should bring his own lunch to work with him. I would probably offer him a drink of water/tea/lemonade in the afternoon, but I would think he'd bring his own water jug with him too. I can't imagine working all day and not bringing something to drink/eat with me.

 

[Muushka]

All the workers who have come to our house have been prepared. They bring their lunches and their drinks. But if they work here for a few days, I tell them that lunch is on me the next day. You would be surprised how much it is appreciated (including the drinks/snacks). And their work reflects it.

 

[disneyofcourse]

I guess I'm one of those people that tips for services like this if they do a great job. We just had 8 trees cut down,concrete work etc They did a fantastic job in 100 degree weather. They had worked from 6am to 7pm for two days. I gave them $80 each plus food/drink from the deli for lunch and for dinner. I've had them back again for other work(painting) and its some of the best work I've seen!! The one who spoke English said they wish everyone was like us and that's why they tried extra hard to do an above and beyond job. He said most people treat them like crap or try to get extra jobs done because they assume the boss won't find out since they might get fired if they say no or something. A lot of workers around here are picked up at locations for daily jobs by bosses and construction companies and then paid hourly. It's never guaranteed work for some of them and very seasonal so I figure every bit counts.


If you feel like tipping I say go for it!

 

[DMRick]

I would give him $20 without the boss knowing. It's hard dirty work that I wouldn't want to do, and if the job is extra neat, (which isn't always the case...some people just want to hurry) we are both happy. Any time I hire someone for something I could do, but don't want to, and a great job is done, as good as if I had done it myself, I include a tip. I won't miss it, but it could help feed their kids or even give them a positive self worth.

The gal at the donut shop..not so much, since all she has to do is pick up the donut and put it in a bag..no neatness required. I do tip my pizza maker a $1, since he goes over and beyond with my wierd requests.

 

[kirstenb1]

I'm in the minority, but I tip for stuff like housepainting, roof repairs, furniture delivery etc. I think $20, or $20 per day is what I'd give.

 

[mhsjax]

I say if you want to tip then do so, but not while the boss is around. YOu don't know how he is being paid and if the boss just drops him of and comes around to check he may not be paying him very much and as far as breaks, some of these guys aren't from this country, at least where I live, I am not sure that they realize that most people get breaks or lunch breaks.

I don't know why people say tip nothing, if you want to then you can. Period.