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Original poster

How much is 'a drink' in payment terms for a tradesman?

315 replies

cockapup · 30/03/2024 10:20

My elderly parents contacted a tradesman on a local FB group as needed an outside light replacing. The tradesman said he'd pop round after finishing another local job to assess. As it turned out it was a bulb needing replacing so took him less than 10 mins. He kindly said no charge but just give me a 'drink'.

How much would you give? Just wondering if what my parents gave was excessive- I'll reveal amount later.

OP posts:
Neverpostagain · 30/03/2024 10:57

MolkosTeenageAngst · 30/03/2024 10:55

If they said no charge, just give me a drink, I would take that literally and wouldn’t give cash but would buy a drink next time I saw them, so either a pint at the pub, a coffee and cake at a nice cafe or I’d buy a few beers or a bottle of wine to give next time I saw them. I wouldn’t give money, I thought the point of saying no charge give me a drink was precisely so no money changed hands. Am I being too literal?

Edited

Yes. Give them £20

BranchGold · 30/03/2024 10:56

£20 is what I’d probably offer, and say thanks very much.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 30/03/2024 10:56

£15-20 for the time and courtesy shown. I'd want to keep this contact for future jobs.

ByUmberViewer · 30/03/2024 10:56

£10 - edited to say even £20 if your parents live in a big house and look (the emphasis being on look) wealthy.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 30/03/2024 10:55

If they said no charge, just give me a drink, I would take that literally and wouldn’t give cash but would buy a drink next time I saw them, so either a pint at the pub, a coffee and cake at a nice cafe or I’d buy a few beers or a bottle of wine to give next time I saw them. I wouldn’t give money, I thought the point of saying no charge give me a drink was precisely so no money changed hands. Am I being too literal?

Thehop · 30/03/2024 10:54

£10

BrassOlive · 30/03/2024 10:52

Anywhere between 5 - 20 pounds depending on how much I liked them

MyNameIsBatty · 30/03/2024 10:48

£20, I'd want him to feel appreciated as it's so hard to get anyone to do small jobs in and that way, he might come again if I needed.

almostspring2024 · 30/03/2024 10:47

I had no idea how much to give when someone suggested this after popping up a ladder for me to reach something, his words were 'oh just give me a drink' I was tempted to put the kettle on but gave him, I think £10
I asked another tradesman how much is appropriate if it was ever suggested again and he said around £20

Fintoo · 30/03/2024 10:43

I’d give £20, and be very appreciative. The cost of the bulb would eat up a chunk of £10.

DSD9472 · 30/03/2024 10:41

£10

Axx · 30/03/2024 10:39

A drink is £20 here

Rocknrolla21 · 30/03/2024 10:37

Are you coming back?

NeedToChangeName · 30/03/2024 10:35

10

EmmasDilemmas · 30/03/2024 10:35

I’ve never heard of being asked for “a drink” by a tradesman - learn something every day 😊
I’d probably give either a £10 or £20 note depending on what I had in my purse. It might have only been 5 mins, but he came round and sorted it for them then and there - others would have diagnosed the problem but left them to change the bulb, or charged a call-out fee even if the job was small. And he didn’t know when he came round that it would be so minor, and could have been doing a paid job at that time.

ManchesterBeatrice · 30/03/2024 10:35

I'd probably give 20, even though it wasn't a massive problem, it was sorted out, and that mattered to them. He came to see them, conversed with them, presumably used his ladder, I think 20 would be fair.

mitogoshi · 30/03/2024 10:35

£10-20 cash. Even if the job was 5 minutes he still diverted to come to them and made the effort. I'd also be keeping his number because trades that do small jobs are as rare as hen's teeth!

Serenity45 · 30/03/2024 10:32

Probably a tenner here (Midlands) but if I only had a £20 note I would give this and not feel ripped off.

PotatoPudding · 30/03/2024 10:31

£20 including the cost of the bulb.

Daffodilsandtuplips · 30/03/2024 10:31

North east here, it’s usually a tenner.

featheryfancy · 30/03/2024 10:31

£20 is a drink round our way. It’s no so much the 5 minutes, it’s going out their way to come and do it.

Moveoverdarlin · 30/03/2024 10:30

£20

NarrowGate · 30/03/2024 10:30

£20.

TBH most would be happy with a tenner from a pensioner, but you want him to feel appreciated so he’s available the next time you need him when it’s not so convenient for him.

2chocolateoranges · 30/03/2024 10:29

Last tradesman who said that to me I left him £30 behind the bar at his local. But I knew him quite well, normally it would be £20.

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 30/03/2024 10:29

£10 or £20, depends on the value of you not being able to do it. It might be a five minute job but you aren’t paying a call out charge.