we never did - that was in the early 70's then again in the early 80's.
never heard of it being done either by others I know who have built /remodeled.

My husband is a GC. Most people do not tip. But some do. One women took us out to a real nice dinner last week end. She wanted to do it for the work that was done. Others have given my husband, gift cards. And some have baked things. So if you really want to do something do it. Like maybe a dinner or a gift card. But most GC do not expect it.

I've been wondering the same thing. Our GC is awesome and I definitely want to do something for him.

I've made sure to keep food and drinks in the house for him and his crews throughout the process, but wanted to do something else.

I've written a glowing letter of recommendation that I will give him at the end of the job with final payment and have already offered for him to bring potential clients by to have a look at his handiwork. He's a young guy building his business and it seems like that will be something that can help him for a long time to come.

I'd be interested to know what you decide to do. Like you, I feel that paying him the amount quoted when he's gone above and beyond every day just doesn't seem like enough.

As with AnnaA's GC, our GC and the trade workers have been extraordinary and we have become like family (GC is the neighbor and good friend of our children's godparents).

We are planning a nice party for all who have worked in our kitchen renovation, sort of a christen the kitchen party, as a thank you.
Also planning on gift cards for the GC. And as Ayerg73 is doing, we offer them lunch on weekends (they have been working 7 days a week for us)!

Tipping isn't at all the norm.

My STBX, though, had gift cards, parties, dinners, and things like that.

It's always wonderful when an owner has water or snacks. Water in particular when it's sweltering outside.

One thing my DH insisted: no food or beer until the day's end. Feed 'em and all work stops for the day. Beer? No work until Monday. [LOL]

It's really nice to hear people so happy with their GC. Unfortunately, horror stories are so the norm.

Your responses are helpful as the world of GCs on such big projects is new to me.

I grew up in a community where GCs were family (whether blood or not), and sharing in meals was just a part of it all. Fresh coffee upon arrival, a well stocked frig that they can raid when wanted, etc. Not as reward or incentive, but as hospitality. With most of us not having community connections as we once did, I know some of these practices might be outdated, or ackward, or over the top?? . But it is how we operate when we've had people working on our yard or home for extended periods of time.

Yes, we are so grateful that this big project's GC story is one of the highlights. Even our pups are going to miss him!

Nice to hear similar stories from others...and stomach churning to read about the not so good stories as well.

I agree with you AnnaA.

We are a military family and have retired in a small community. It's hard to figure out what is customary here.

The guys seem genuinely surprised and grateful for muffins or granola bars and some fresh sweet tea. (Ky is in the south, you know)

Don't want to overdo it, but I like having that sense of community and being thankful for a job well done.

any of these good GC in CT? If so, could you please e-mail me?

My GC bills out $87 an hour per person on the job, and I know pays them $20 something. I don't think my GC needs a tip.

The rule in general with tipping is that you tip employees making an hourly wage. You don't usually tip business owners who set their own rates. That doesn't mean you can't do something nice for your GC though.

I would just do a gift basket with a nice bottle of wine and cheese or something that you think would suit him.

Timely thread! My kitchen is winding to a close and I've been wondering the same thing. I hired a kitchen company to do my remodel and one man (been calling him my GC) has been doing most of the work. He's been here everyday and has been fabulous. Makes me feel like he's working on his own kitchen. Takes time to do things the right way and actually cares. The whole company has been really great but he is a total standout. I want to do something really nice for him but have been trying to figure out what would be best. Want to do something really nice but not overboard but not too small. How do you find that balance? Love the idea of including a letter that he can use for recommendations in the future. I'll definitley do that.

Lots and lots of GC horror stories out there but there are also a lot of people out there who do care about doing quality work.

We didn't tip our GC even thought he was really good. We did however tip our KD with a gift certificate.

We loved our GC and loved his work. He runs his own business and has very few workers with him on projects. About 90% of our renovation was done by him and his son. He also referred the electrician (one sour part of our renovation--- but I hear there's always one of those!), KD, and painter. Our GC probably made the least profit out of everyone and he was truly wonderful to work with. We gave him a generous cash tip as well as a smaller one for his son (who also did amazing work). We also tipped the painter because he was indispensable to have around and stepped in more than few times to save something disastrous from happening. It was our way of showing our appreciation.
I am also giving our GC a small photo book of the job with high quality photos... Partly because he mentioned never having a portfolio and as a way of providing reference for him.

Our GC is a good friend and did an amazing job IMHO. My DH is taking him golfing with his company as a thank you:)