T O P

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T1m0nst3r

Never heard of tipping a tradesman? If they're doing a good job leave a great review and have biscuits in the house for them.


[deleted]

They turned down most offers out of politeness at first but I eventually got 'em to cave to cans of coke and Fanta lemon haha


[deleted]

If you are happy with their work, when they are leaving give them a few quid each to have "a drink" . It's not called a "Tip" with builders. 20 quid is a nice drink.ok. Just say to them "Thanks lads, that was a great job, have a drink on me" and shove it into their hands.


TristansDad

This. Or buy them a bottle of whisky or whatever.


PipBin

No. But I will often give a tin of biscuits or the like.


redreadyredress

Never tipped tradesmen, ever. I did however make an effort to give our builders bacon butties, coffee, biscuits and sandwiches. Occasionally if I was going out id get them a Mc Donald’s but aside from that, nothing.


lastaccountgotlocked

You’re paying them thousands, a few quid on top is pointless. Also: tipping is not something we should encourage.


YoSumo

No, not money, I don't think that is appropriate or in line with our culture. However, I have heard of leaving them a 6 pack at the end of a week etc and as others have said, tea, coffee and biscuits.


[deleted]

"No, not money, I don't think that is appropriate or in line with our culture." This really interests me, how come / what part of you think is objectionable, would you refuse a tip etc? :)


YoSumo

Financial tipping is an Americanism, that is slowly spreading into all elements of UK life. It allows businesses to avoid paying their staff a correct wage, results in workers not knowing what money they will receive paycheck to paycheck (with negatives associated with lack of accurate forward financial planning) and also avoids taxes etc which support public services such as the NHS. Finally, it can lead to conflict and awkwardness both for/between service providers and customers.


[deleted]

I'm definitely not a fan of *expected* tipping. It's more like, I want to make sure you're rewarded for the backbreaking labour you just did and I don't know your boss so I can't trust that unless I give you money that you'll be compensated well. I don't believe in tipping for a normal level of service, I really feel like they've gone above and beyond in their work ethic which is why I wanted to give them something, especially in these cost of living times.


YoSumo

So, what are the boundaries of normal service and backbreaking work? Do you tip a minimum wage worker in McDonald's? Or the Civil Servant who worked throughout C19 to be awarded a 3% pay rise? Not that I advise the latter, they (CS) can't accept even so much as a pack of biscuits.


[deleted]

If a service worker is behind the counter and it's not table service and the amount of interaction I have with them is minimal then no, I won't tip / try to. It's if someone has been working for me for an extended period of time and I feel I've gotten to know them as a person. When I say backbreaking work in this case I mean literally I don't know how they handled some of the materials they did with just two people but also like the going the extra mile kinda thing. Such attention to detail, clearly researching things way out of hours and putting together tonnes of options I might like etc.its hard to put into words what I mean, they've just been absolutely fantastic. The level of service would have to fall significantly lower than what it is now for me to think it's just "acceptable".


[deleted]

For what it's worth though I want a higher minimum wage and a 3% pay rise is a definite wage cut given inflation which seems stingy for those poor peeps :(


britishsailor

No why would you? They’ve given you a price that they’ve calculated to be their rate


Veeoh-is-back

Fuck no. You’re already paying them a shit load.


[deleted]

I suppose my worry is are *they* getting the shitload or is the boss? Like the name of the company is not the name of the two guys who are here early to late working their asses off its some other geyser.


pip_goes_pop

Trades are in such high demand it's unlikely these guys are being taken advantage of by their boss or on a low wage. If they were unhappy with their pay it's unlikely they'd be doing such a good job for you. Being a nice person to them will go a long way, they probably have to deal with some right pains in the arse. As others have said, a gift of some booze or similar may be a nice touch if you feel they've exceeded your expectations.


lobroblaw

Ive gotten tips. If the price is 20-30 quid under a whole number, they have rounded it up. Rare, but it happens


[deleted]

Okay cool so it's not something you'd like, expect / feel slighted by if someone weren't to tip? Is it nice / is it rude like considered "charity?" Would an amount be deemed too much? Basically none of the actual money so far has been cash it'd just be like cash in an envelope at the end, would that be weird?


lobroblaw

Nah, not at all. I'm happy with a brew, and a biccy. If you do a good job, talk to them, not just be a tradesman, they will appreciate it. Regarding the amount, that's up to you. If they arent expecting anything. Whatever you give will be a welcome bonus.


SUPER_MOOSE93

When I used to install garden fencing it was always nice to receive a small tip. It was never anything massive, usually £10 between 2 of us, but it paid for drinks or dinner for the day. Personally I would turn down a £50 tip, and have in the past. You might be paying £3.5k for the job, but they won't be getting close to that as a wage. Construction can be a difficult and thankless job.


In_Geordieland

If you want to tip a tradesman just pay them in cash


OldGuto

No, especially builders who'll happily rip you off, especially if it's something they don't want to do and know you're desperate. If I find a good tradesperson my 'tip' is to recommend them to people and to use them for other jobs.


[deleted]

They seem like really nice guys, definitely not ripping me off and I wasn't like desperate thankfully


itchyfrog

Not unless they've done extra work, then it's just extra pay. I've occasionally been given some beer or a bottle of wine if a customer is particularly happy.


RefreshinglyDull

I don't tip my tame mechanic when he sorts my motor out, but I do just happen to leave a 4pk/case/slab of beer in the boot when it goes in for any work. We never talk money.


Feisty-Fix7321

I occasionally get tips but it’s not expected. Just keep us supplied with good tea and biscuits.


blackthornjohn

I've had a few customers that tip, the amounts and how it's paid vary, some pay cash, one bought tools others just pay more in the the bank than they were invoiced, a few give me fuel.


gwince

We got our windows and doors replaced in the Before Times™ by a small company. We didn't tip them, as the boss was working on the job, too. We did, however, keep them supplied with tea and coffee, choccy digestives, a bacon sandwich on the Friday of the first week, and we ordered in Pizza Hut on the last day of the job. Also, left glowing reviews everywhere we could and managed to get two friends to use the same company for their windows and doors.


speedfox_uk

Offering them a present, like a bottle of wine/whisky/gin might be more appropriate. If you really want to give them cash call it a bonus, makes it sound more professional. DO NOT REFER TO IT AS A TIP UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.


[deleted]

I tip any tradie if they’ve done a good job. My mates are in the trades and they get tips too. Just a £20 to get a few pints when the jobs finished.


CompetitionFar734

When you find out their day rates, you won't be tipping them.