On Mon 14 Jul 2008 09:17:55p, Kathleen told us...

Dirty Harry wrote:

"Peter" wrote in message
...

"MareCat" wrote in message
...

We're currently in the middle of a kitchen remodeling job (new
cabinets, countertops, backsplash, sink, island, flooring, lighting,
painting, and removing two walls). The contractor and workers have
been *awesome* so far (making excellent progress, very easy to work
with, constantly giving us updates, company owner comes to the work
site to check work and meet with us every day, etc.). They're even
expecting to complete the project almost a week earlier than planned
(just over two weeks--rather than three weeks--from start to finish).

If all ends up well (as we fully expect it will), we'd like to give
each of the two workers some sort of tip. What is the proper etiquette
for tipping contractors/workers for projects like this? Just wondering
what others here have done.

TIA-
Mary

I don't think they expect tips, I've never given one to a contractor.
Maybe some gift certs for dinner or movies so they can take their
better half out, or my usual favorite, a case of beer, if you think
they deserve it.

I have movers coming in a couple days and I'll have a case of beer for
each of them (3), if they do a good job.


I don't know of any contractors that wouldn't appreciate a case or 2 of
good beer! Might be a good way of saying thanks instead of cash.

Not contractors, but at the barn where my daughter used to board her
horse they paid a small fee in addition to their monthly board to have
their horses trailered to local shows and events.

Granted that the fee was supposed to cover gas and hassle, and granted
that the drivers were taking their own horses up anyway to compete, I
still appreciated the effort and made a point of noticing what the staff
liked to drink, given the opportunity, as opposed to what they mostly
could afford, and generally dropped off a case of Guinness or something
nice to have on bonfire nights - most of them lived on site.

I view that more of an appreciative gesture of "thanks" than as a tip, per
se.


At the local cycling emporium, cash tips to mechanics were discouraged
but boxes of fresh donuts, trays of tall cafe mochas or Blizzards were
happily received.

Again a nice appreciative gesture.

I tip in restaurants, bellboys in hotels, and taxis...mostly because it's
expected, not particularly because I always feel it's deserved.



--
Wayne Boatwright
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Monday, 07(VII)/14(XIV)/08(MMVIII)
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'Always cut the cards.' - Heinlein
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