About ten years ago I hired some guys (Two Men and a Truck, or something like it) to move my wife and me across they city. They worked liked dogs, didn’t slow down all day. I bought them lunch (picked up some good pizza and sodas, brought it to the house), and tipped them each $20 at the end of the day. They seemed to appreciate it.
Soon we will have an HVAC contractor replacing our furnace and AC. I’ve been told the job will take 1.5 days. What’s reasonable etiquette? Should I offer to bring them lunch during the first day, or should I leave them to go and get the lunch of their choice at a local restaurant? Assuming they do good work and are courteous/friendly, what’s a reasonable tip at the end of the job (if any)?
Contractors don’t expect anything but the agreed upon payment. It’s always nice to offer then water or food, especially if they’re at your house all day, but keep in mind that they will almost certainly be prepared with their own.
If they do an exceptional job, a tip might be nice. But it’s not expected.
Want to be a hero? Set out an ice chest of water bottles in the AM for them and point out which bathroom they should use.
Buying lunch puts you into God territory.
Keep in mind your paying a lot more for HVAC techs than you are for movers. IMO tipping movers is the right thing to do. The HVAC guys are paid much better in there field and as such there is no expectation of a tip. Anything you offer will certainly be appreciated.
If you want to buy them lunch offer at the start of the day. I’m a contractor in a different field, in some cases I’d happily accept in others I’d turn it down. It depends on if I’d like to get off the job site for a bit or if a short lunch is a better choice for the day. A packed lunch or a customer provided lunch means I’m only going to take 15 minutes. Where as if I go somewhere for lunch I can take a hour to myself.
Having cold drinks and offering a bathroom is much appreciated.
My policy is to turn down all tips. I charge plenty for my expertise as it is. Apprentices are instructed to politely refuse a first offer but if the customer insists they can keep it.
HVAC guys are certified professionals and not simply laborers so tipping is not commonly done. If you feel like giving them something extra a couple of sixpacks would probably be appreciated at the end of the job. Offering food and drink to someone at your home is simply polite, but ask them first, they may want to take an hour off and get out for a little while.
I assume six-pack means beer? Not a good idea. You don’t know these people personally and giving them alcohol can be very unwelcome especially if they are trying not to drink. Also, they might get in trouble with the company if found driving around with alcohol in their van. Management is not likely to believe “Oh, the customer gave this to us”.
Water, soda and food offered is always welcome. First thing, tell them where the bathroom is and if they need anything to let you know.
I was married to a General Contractor and often went out on jobs with him. We had plenty of regular and new customers who were very kind and generous as you are. It was always appreciated when a homeowner offered water, a snack and use of their bathroom, but we always came prepared with our own food and drink, and certainly did not expect it.
I’ve had gardeners, plumbers, electricians, builders and decorators in my house + garden.
I offer them tea (hey, I’m in England ) and let them get on with it.
If they are here longer than a few hours, I tell them they can use the toilet
No need to tip - we’ve agreed a price.
If they do an excellent job, I recommend them to my friends (this ‘word-of-mouth’ is welcomed much more than tipping…)
I had a fella come install AC in my house. It only took him 1 day. I was surprised he was on his own but there he was!
I happened to be making myself a burger on the George Foreman Grill that day, so I asked if he wanted one too. He said yes. Maybe that is what kept it from being a 1.5-day job?
No way would I tip him! The install was like $8k. The guy was a skilled laborer, I’m sure he commanded more than a living wage.
The only worker I’ve ever tipped was when I hired a guy to build a ramp off my deck for my disabled dog. He brought a guy with him to help that I could tell was just a laborer and wasn’t going to get 1/2 of the labor cost (which was fairly doled out I’m sure) so when I paid the main guy with a check I gave him a $20 bill for the laborer.
I’m having carpet installed today. I got an email yesterday listing the contractor’s requirements. One of them is that if I don’t point out a bathroom when they arrive, they can leave the site and charge me for the days’ labor.
A semi-related question. I need to have some contracting work done. Should I be there the whole time? Do I have to take a day off work and sit around while they work or should I let them in and go off to work? If I stay, should I go to a different floor to stay out of their way and tell them to holler if they need something? I always feel awkward with workmen there; I either feel like they think I’m watching them constantly or I’m just biding time until they finish.
From the above I think I’ll offer them free use of the bottled water in the refrigerator and I always have a bathroom handy (although the last workman broke my sink).
You don’t have to be there. You also don’t have to wonder who stole your stuff while you weren’t there or who didn’t lock the door when they were done. If you are there then mostly stay out of the way unless they holler, but it doesn’t hurt to look in once in a while to see if they’re actually working.
Not quite the same as contractors, but do you tip deliverypersons? Say you buy a washer and dryer, and pay a fee to have them delivered and installed and the old ones hauled away.
It just so happens I’m an HVAC contractor. Much of the advice given I agree with 100% (Rick, John Mace etc)
Tipping is quite uncommon; I’ve been tipped a couple times in 15 years. The hired help is making $15-20 on average so they’re making more than a mover but they’re not getting rich. A tip would be appreciated, but it’s not needed or required. I’m the owner so that probably plays into their perception not to tip; that I’m already making more than a living wage.
The biggest things—and already mentioned:
put your car on the street and offer me the driveway.
show where the bathroom is first thing.
have a selection of sodas/water (no beer!)
be pleasant to deal with.
lunch isn’t necessary, but it’s offered with some regularity and it’s always appreciated.
Do some of these things—or all of them----and we’ll break our backs for you.
) and let them get on with it.