Tipping a contractor

What do you think, Mr. or Ms. Cheapie?

Let me guess, you're probably wondering whether to offer them a nice cold drink on a hot summer day too?

It would be nice to tip the workers after you spent three weeks getting bids from the contractor with lowest paid, illegal immigrant labor. Its not easy to live in the city on $60 a day you know.

TIP ? Next we'll be tipping the bus drivers. If the guy was terrific & great to work with & did a wonderful job & showed up every day when he said he would, maybe a - what? Thank you? It's true, his workers need the money probably more than he does. Tip the mortgage closer, tip the super, tip the contractor - I'm walking by admiring your building, why don't you tip me, too ?

Why would you tip a contractor? You pay the contract price period. I tip my doormen very well, the guy who brings up my car from the garage, my building super, a good waiter/waitress a full 20%, any delivery person and cab drivers. But a contractor gets his full price paid on time. Never heard of tipping a contractor.

It appears people have too much money. Tipping a contractor?? CRAZY

Agree very much with #6.

not so sure about a large contractor...but for small work for example...

I used to do roofing, I appreciate hard ass labor, and tips are as much recognition of a great job as anything else...It's nice to go home and feel like someone gave a shit. If you are going to tip, don't worry about how much, cash is cash, and there's nothing wrong with offering a cold one.

Tipping in nyc seems to be standard on about anything from the bodega cook to the bus driver for a job well done. I tip movers all the time, especially when it's desert hot. Laborers/Crafstmen that do things beyond the norm like don't bitch about flights of stairs or make good suggestions on handling issues that could cost you a lot of extra money, etc...are fine reasons to me.

Thats absolutely over the top - tipping a contractor - crazy people who must be very insecure or trying very hard to please others.

they know where you live and they have a copy of your keys, I say tip'em

I was wondering about the same thing and was going to post this question. I can't believe how many sarcastic remarks are on this thread.

The consensus seems to be that tipping a contractor and his team isn't necessary. So be it.

The contractor (owner) rounds all costs up generously, pads for contigency, and usually gives an "estimate" rather than a hard price, leaving him lots of extra room for profit. Not to mention the ridiculous line-items (at least for general contracting) for O & P ("Overhead and Profit") and for "General Conditions" -- these are as absurd as the advertising fee you pay when you buy a new car; but they're the industry standard and not worth fighting over, especially because they'll just rejigger things so they get you somewhere else.

And you can be sure the owner tips out or otherwise makes his reliable, skilled and responsible employees happy, or he'll find his business a constant struggle.

So no tip directly from customer to either owner or laborers. No.

The sarcasm, attitude, meaness, etc on this board continues to surprise me. The OP asked a legitimate, honest question: is it appropriate to tip the contractors. Geez. Why does streeteasy attract so many bitter, caustic people?

The sarcasm, attitude, meaness, etc on this board continues to surprise me. The OP asked a legitimate, honest question: is it appropriate to tip the contractors. Geez. Why does streeteasy attract so many bitter, caustic people?

It is not just this board---it is pretty much any board where people people feel suddenly freed from social behavior and can just spout off any crap they want to anonymously. It is an odd thing, and I often wonder if these peole are assholes in real life or--perhaps scarier--are they normal nice people who just have a bunch of ugliness to unleash. Curbed is (or rather was--I no longer read the comments as they are too awful) far worse.

tipping has gotten out of hand. they have tip cups at grocery stores, coffee shops.... I would not tip a contractor or his workers. Its bad enough I have to tip movers, waiters, doormen, etc. everyone's looking for a handout.

Sarcasm in New York? Never!

If you really felt the job was well done and felt the need to tip someone, I would tip the laborers.

And while you're at it, don't forget to tip your doctor, your heart surgeon, your attorney, your accountant, and the IRS representative who handles your audit.