I've heard some people have a dinner and invite the contractors, well at least the ones that didn't screw up!

I'm so happy for you that you actually had a good enough experience to even think about this. Doesn't sound like many people want to reward their contractor for anything. We were a DIY project. My GC gets dinner every night!

We are expecting the contractor and his crew to show up to do our kitchen shortly after Thanksgiving. I don't expect to tip him or invite to dinner. They are professionals and I wouldn't tip him anymore than I would my accountant or auto mechanic.

Hi shorts...

Wow...I never even thought of that, even though my GC and his crew did an awesome job. I did, however tell him to use me as a reference and that any future client could come and see my kitchen if they desired.

I also told him that I would highly recommend him to anyone of my friends or family members and use him again in the future if the need arose.

KA:)

We tipped our KD but the GC is still here and we are unsure of what to do. The kd works for the same firm and we gave her some flowers and a gift certificate to a high end kitchen accessory store. (She was excellent and I would use her again) We weren't living here during the work so buying lunches or setting up coffee was too difficult. The finishing guy who is doing the deficiency list is excellent so do we tip him as well. Good question and I'll be interested in responses to help guide us.

The contractors I use bill out an hourly rate per person than is higher than I make as an hourly rate. No, I don't tip them anymore than they would tip me if I did work for them. In fact I think we cut contractors a lot more slack than we do anyone else, and more than they would give us if they were our patients, clients, or we did some other service for them. A gift card or something maybe. I think a great recommendation (if they deserve it)shows the most appreciation.

K - thanks for the feedback! I think we will stick with lunch every so often, and a gift card...if things turn out to be amazing!

I really think it all depends on how you feel at the end of a project. If THEY haven't caused any headaches and at the end, when you are past the mess and stress of decision making, you are blown away by the work and final product, I don't see anything wrong with showing your appreciation. It doesn't have to be extravagant either. Yes they are getting paid, often very well, but that doesn't stop me from tipping if it feels good in my heart. I have done three major remodels plus additions and have given gifts to the final two because the spaces were beautiful to my soul. Let's pretend the first didn't happen - and no, there was no gift... :)

I certainly don't want to come off begging for tips...

Which is kinda how I feel responding to this. I usually get some type of "tip" at the end of a job. I don't ask for it, or require it, or anything else like that.

At the end of a job I believe that the clients look around and say "Wow, you did this incredible thing for me! I want to do something to show you how happy I am and how grateful I am for all your hard work." Those "tips" are the absolute best money of the job. You know when you get a tip that someone sincerely believes you did a great job.

In service positions I feel like it's pretty customary to tip (waiters, massage therapists, hair dressers etc) so I'm not sure if I follow the comments above about that being unusual. For instance, johnny153 says he doesn't tip out his accountant or his mechanic but as an accountant I often get bonuses or tips and I also tip my mechanic in the form of a christmas bonus. I am one of those people who hate tipping because we are SUPPOSED to tip... but boy howdy do I LOVE to get a tip!

I normally recieve money at the end of the job. Sometimes it's an extra amount tacked on to the last invoice amount with a thank you note, but if it's money it's usually a separate check after the kitchen has been fully functional for a couple of months. I often get gift cards from home depot (by then everyone knows I'm a remodeler) as well.

M.

If you want to show appreciation for an exceptional hourly worker they like cash. Most of the sucessfull contractors I know really appreicate being paid on time with a thank you note to pin up on their bulletin board. A cash tip is not necessary and maybe even uncomfortable. A bottle of wine or a restaurant gift card seems more appropriate. On many projects the owners throw a house warming party and invite their favorite contractors and their friends. The contractors get to see their hard work decorated and enjoyed and also as a chance to meet potential customers who see and like their work. Many contractors and workers have spent so much time with you during a remodel that this is a nice way to part. Many of us now know your kids' names, birthdays, what toys the dog likes, why you chose the paint color and that lamp, etc. You aren't just a customer anymore.

I would like to tip mine. Into a vat of boiling oil.

You do not have to give a contractor, a tip. He is there because you hired him to do a job. He, was not there to serve your dinner. That is what my GC husband said. He, now tells anyone that want's to give him a tip to give it to his hard working men. Be side's that one lady kept on giving him, baked good's and they were so bad that I, told my husband, not to bring them home any more.

I am not tipping my contractor in cash. I probably will make a batch of my famous-if-i-do-say-so-myself Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and bring it down for the crew, to say thanks with something made fresh from the kitchen they created.

But, what I am doing is in my mind better than a tip for him and all his workers: I already hired him to do a wet sink/bar on my patio, thus giving him more work that wasn't originally planned. And I've already referred him to 2 members of my family and one colleague at work who are looking for good contractors to do work for them.

Every single time I talk about my new kitchen I mention Bob, his company and what a great job he did. I will continue to do that and he's already thanked me profusely. His comment was that business is so bad these days that every and any job is valuable. I like to think that long after a cash gift is spent or the cupcakes are eaten positive feedback and referrals will be the gift that keeps on giving.

Cash, like water, is hard to hold onto. People appreciate it most when they need it; otherwise it's symbolic. Tips in cash are nice. Like a smile. : - )

Sure, we can spend more when we have it to spend. Few people save it for their old age.

Sending a contractor to another buyer with whom they get along well : this is worth more than gold. Tagging someone with a note that allows "good" buyers to find them would be Also One More Good Thing too.

I dream of a future where we can transfer a cumulative "worth note" to someone so that our faith in their abilities comes across to prospects in the surrounding area (space and time). A credibility rating, it shows through to those who seek by similar criteria as ours allowing us to see the best of their strong suits and evaluate fairly where they are less well endowed. This will be one way that the internet will have achieved its potential: a little sharing goes a long way. But only if it's structured sharing.

I agree with marcolo's assessment about some contractors who need lessons that are best learnt before the age of 7. I've come across people who couldn't adapt well to any field of productive endeavor end up becoming generalist contractors. (We cannot all be above average (!) and this means there has to be a place for those who are visibly below average. Keeping them in line has always been a challenge. A credibility rating note can be one more factor helping to keep people in line.

hth

I tried SO hard to be a good, considerate, appreciative client.

I made sure I thanked the GC, bricklayer, plumber, electrician, tile setter, hardwood guys, trim carpenters, labourers, etc., every single day they were here, and told them repeatedly what a great job they were doing (they were).

My fridge was stocked with cold drinks and fruit which I encouraged them to access freely.

I stayed out of their way. I brought coffee and muffins (which they NEVER accepted). I was pleasant and tried to keep things light, and when they were anxious about something, I got in my car and scrammed so they could figure out what they needed to without me muttering in the background. I was sympathetic and truly sorry when they had to stay late, especially on the weekend.

I tried to communicate how much I respected and valued their talents and abilities, and how much pride they took in their work.

We had a professional arrangement. He contracted for the job, I paid him on time and in full for that. Isn't that enough?

Then what- Do you tip the KD? Painter? Hardwood installer? Or just the KD, and she distributes the tips?

BTW, what is a proper tip?