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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think it's a bit odd to give tradesmen gifts?

27 replies

sparkysalmon · 28/10/2020 17:51

I was speaking with a friend who mentioned that she gave a moderately expensive box of chocolates to her plumber after he did a small job for her. This got us talking, as I was surprised....I guess if you have had a big project like a whole bathroom done, maybe, although I have genuinely never thought to gift anything to the tradesmen who have worked in my house, and I've had lots over the years. Now I feel bad...is this a thing? Do you regularly give plumbers, builders, carpenters and similar gifts of wine or chocolates etc?

OP posts:
mrscampbellblackagain · 28/10/2020 17:53

When we did a fairly large project (six months) I bought wine/beer at christmas but that was it.

I paid invoices the day issued though which i imagine was appreciated.

Leaannb · 28/10/2020 17:55

I do in both Countries. Because I get excellent service from them

eatsleepread · 28/10/2020 17:55

Not for a small job, no.
Unless perhaps they did it for super cheap ... not that that would ever happen Grin

SpeccyLime · 28/10/2020 18:05

I probably wouldn’t do this, it does seem a bit unusual to me.

DuzzyFuck · 28/10/2020 18:07

My EXH is a tradesman and he occasionally used to get some beers / bottle of wine / cake or a cash tip but it wasn't a regular occurrence.

NailsNeedDoing · 28/10/2020 18:09

I gave my builders a thank you gift for Christmas and when they’d finished our extension, but they’d been around most days for 9 months and they were lovely, it would have seemed mean not to.

Redcherries · 28/10/2020 18:33

We occasionally get given beer, once a bottle of gin for helping a client for no charge who was stuck with some DIY electrics. Its never expected but very much appreciated, we care for our clients and if they gift the team beer we know we are doing something right :).

Tbh, my lads love the tea makers ;) When they get offered tea a couple of times a day that client is a favourite, they will go the extra (at my cost not the clients ;) ) another huge thing is remembering their names, sounds odd but its important to them, they are in your home intruding on your space and this makes them more at ease. We had one lady who actually stated to one of my brilliant team that she didn't need to know his name, he's wasn't important enough to her, I avoided ever sending him back as he was upset and it was not needed.

Pinkmagic1 · 28/10/2020 18:37

I wouldn't for a small job, but if it is a larger job we have given beers in the past. I will also always offer lunch if I am around and the job falls over this time.

lovealwayswins · 28/10/2020 18:37

I had my garden landscaped over 3 weeks. Every Friday I'd get them a crate of beer to share. They really appreciated it.

IrkedEssex · 28/10/2020 18:40

Yes to a regular tradesman. No for someone who does a one-off job.

Riapia · 28/10/2020 19:12

My DM used to give the postman the milkman and paperboy a tip at Christmas.

This was known as a Christmas box.

Was that a regional term for it?

At that time the postman and milkman were probably earning more than her. We were poor but for DM it was a matter of pride.
She would never have admitted we were poor.
Brought me up on her own.

BackforGood · 28/10/2020 19:26

No. They come to the house to do a job. They are either paid a wage for the job, or, if self employed, charge the price they want.

Whilst they are in my house I'd make them a cuppa, but I've never given a tradesperson a box of chocs or similar.

Original poster
sparkysalmon · 28/10/2020 19:29

@Redcherries That's awful! Poor guy!
Interesting - I do always offer tea and biscuits ( if there's any left) so hopefully I'm not too bad a customer!
Definite note to self, be kinder and more thoughtful.

OP posts:
Ohthatsgreat · 28/10/2020 19:32

Currently doing an extension and if we’re happy with it at the end I will give them a pack of beer. Reason is that it’s hard to get good tradesman, so for me it’s about building the relationship and for jobs in future they are more likely to make room for me.

There are plenty of threads on here about how people can’t get a tradesperson in due to how booked up they are.

HoboSexualOnslow · 28/10/2020 20:11

It is a bit odd for a small job, but I'm sure it's appreciated. My partner sometimes gets cash tips, never expected but it's very nice. He once also got cheese on toast for lunch from a client he was doing a huge job for, again not expected but they were lovely clients. He'll go above and beyond if you're kind.

chipshopElvis · 28/10/2020 20:54

Yes, gave the builders of our extension beer after a couple of very hot summer days. They worked bloody hard. Just bought a bottle of Vodka for our kitchen fitter as he has done an amazing job and again worked really hard. But not for little jobs or anyone unreliable.

Auntybev · 21/07/2021 10:13

Can anyone recommend someone who could fit a new loo, basin and shower door ( onto a bath) and general tidy up in a very small bathroom. TIA

DragonWillow · 21/07/2021 10:17

No, it's wonderful - DH is a tradesman & quite often comes home with a little gift from someone. Beer is the most common but he came home the other day with some lovely local honey from a job he did for a beekeeper, he's always over the moon with these little things

ginghamstarfish · 21/07/2021 10:29

Perhaps, if it was someone who went above and beyond. As I usually find most tradesmen unreliable that's hard to imagine.

Mansplainee · 21/07/2021 10:32

Its a bit OTT.
This reminds me of the motherland episode where she falls in love with the handyman 😂

FizzyPink · 21/07/2021 10:33

We had our garden redone last summer. The guys that did it were absolutely brilliant. They charged half the price of the other quotes we got, did it in half the days and worked late every night so that we’d have it ready for the weekend. On the last day we got them all a magnum of Prosecco each.

I wouldn’t do anything like that for the plumber or electrician. I’m usually shocked at how much they charge to do even small jobs.

ILoveWillSmith · 21/07/2021 10:39

My husband gets gifts sometimes - beer, wine etc - I think some people feel a bit uncomfortable giving cash as a tip so give a gift instead. Its lovely, he really appreciates it.

inappropriateraspberry · 21/07/2021 10:49

Our builders finished just before Christmas. Big extension job, so we got them some beers or preferred drink. I also kept them in cakes and doughnuts throughout the work!
It's like a tip, if they've done a good job, why not give them something?

Orgasmagorical · 21/07/2021 10:53

@Auntybev

Can anyone recommend someone who could fit a new loo, basin and shower door ( onto a bath) and general tidy up in a very small bathroom. TIA
Where are you?
Loyaultemelie · 21/07/2021 13:32

Depending on the job yes I've done this. We had a plumber come out and fix a broken boiler just around the time of the Beast from the East and we had no heating/water and dd2 was very young. I gave him a bottle of whiskey we were so glad to get it fixed! We often give them a bag of spuds or some veg too (farm so not as random as it sounds Blush) it's just an extra thank you