# Should I tip the contractors?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [November 20, 2004, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830 "2004-11-20T13:57:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 13
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2004, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/1 "2004-11-20T13:57:54Z")
I’m having some minor bathroom remodeling done (one-day job), and it occurs to me that I’m not sure if, or how much I’m supposed to tip the workers.
Unfortunately, the work is being done today (they haven’t arrived yet), and I feel like a bit of a fool leaving it until now.
When I’ve had pluming repair work done, I didn’t tip the plumber, but this seems different.
Any opinions would be appreciated.
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### Author:  [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/2 "2004-11-20T14:31:42Z")
No, no. You don’t do that.
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### Author:  [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/3 "2004-11-20T14:36:12Z")
Keep the coffee pot on and offer them soda/pop or ice tea.
I really don’t think it’s normal to tip. But it’s a good idea to be as accommodating as you can. Be there, if you can, to answer questions, but stay out of the way.
Make sure all your stuff is out of the bathroom before they arrive.
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### Author:  [@ninetypercent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ninetypercent)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2004, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/4 "2004-11-20T17:28:40Z")
**enipla** is right. Food would be good, as well.
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### Author:  [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/5 "2004-11-20T18:49:19Z")
No, I would not. The gestures that have been mentioned are nice, but not required. (I think they are great though.)
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### Author:  [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/6 "2004-11-20T19:02:30Z")
Question?
Are any of the first 4 responses contractors? (Just curious)
I am a contractor and spend alot of time in people’s homes. Customarily we are **not** tipped. **Rarely** would be a better word. **Almost never** would be best…
OTOH, hospitality is always appreciated. Water/soda/coffee is always appreciated and fairly common. Less common, but not totally uncommon, is a snack or even lunch. I’ve been invited to have lunch with the homeowner several times. If it’s accpetable that they use your restroom during the day, let them know that first thing in the morning.
(I would probably only offer lunch if they are particularly professional and cooperative. i.e. drop cloths, friendly attitude, sensitive to cleanliness etc)
That’s my experience…
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### Author:  [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/7 "2004-11-20T20:07:42Z")
Another contractor, here. I’ve never been tipped, nor would I expect it. I know I’ve arrived when a post-it tells me to start the coffee pot and the croissants next to it are for me. Those customers take it to the next level, in that we have a relationship beyond business. It’s worth far more than what I’m paid in dollars.
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### Author:  [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2004, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/8 "2004-11-20T20:41:43Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#):
>
> Another contractor, here. I’ve never been tipped, nor would I expect it. I know I’ve arrived when a post-it tells me to start the coffee pot and the croissants next to it are for me. Those customers take it to the next level, in that we have a relationship beyond business. It’s worth far more than what I’m paid in dollars.
If they do it better than expected, and you think you might be using them again, I see why not?
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### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2004, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/9 "2004-11-20T21:23:12Z")
> [@ouryL](#):
>
> If they do it better than expected, and you think you might be using them again, I see why not?
Because this is a _contract_, not a _service_. Would you tip your lawyer?
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### Author:  [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2004, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/10 "2004-11-20T21:23:23Z")
> [@the raindog](#):
>
> (I would probably only offer lunch if they are particularly professional and cooperative. i.e. drop cloths, friendly attitude, sensitive to cleanliness etc)
These things constitute “particularly professional and cooperative”?
Maybe i’m naive, but i thought that those things should be par for the course.
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### Author:  [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/11 "2004-11-20T21:33:51Z")
My older brother (about ten years older) has been a conractor his whole life and when I was in HS I would work for him on some weekends and during the summer for spending money.
He was never tipped nor was there ever an assumption or even expectation for one. I think a lot of that is a contractor is sort of out of the “tip sphere” as far as workers goes.
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### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2004, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/12 "2004-11-21T01:00:26Z")
Small contractors rely largely on word of mouth recommendations. If you really want to do a contractor a favor, tell him you will pass on his name to others. That’s where the money is.
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### Author:  [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2004, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-tip-the-contractors/275830/13 "2004-11-22T01:51:26Z")
> [@Chefguy](#):
>
> Would you tip your lawyer?
I’m a lawyer, and oddly enough, I have been tipped a few times. Quite surprised me.