Do you "tip" builders?

[chillimartini]

I am having some building work done and the main builder suggested I should "tip" the builders who work for him?
They have been good - just got on with it. I have not really negotiated heavily on the labour costs but I don't understand how this "tipping" would work?? How much would I tip them or do I not tip them?

I wouldn't, I assume you're paying for the work doing after agreeing a price. Tips are not necessary when you're paying for a job.

I never have / wouldn't.
They are his employees. He needs to pay them the right wage for the job, and charge customers enough to cover those wages. It certainly isn't for you to go around making up for him being a poor employer.

Reputable builders do not solicit or 'suggest' to clients tips.

Thanks for your replies! I just wanted to make sure that I was doing the right thing

No I don’t think I would. I’ve tipped carpet fitters before, and I bought our plasterer a box of chocolates once as he only finished a few days before Xmas. But the main builder should be paying his builders an appropriate wage, it’s not your job to top it up.

I think DH (builder) was given a £10 tip once... He did appreciate it, but it's definitely not normal! I can't imagine him suggesting that he or his employees should be tipped.

He has lovely clients though who gave us gifts when we got married/had children, and who always make him lunch!

Nooooooooooooooooooo

A good builder would never suggest this

God no. Its his job to pay them.

If they were casual labourers (not his regular staff) and really good I'd give them a tenner for a drink.

Absolutely not

I gave ours £100 and they spent it on breakfast one day and got themselves some beers for the weekend (team of 4). Also gave foreman a card and a bottle of wine. But they were brilliant with our kids and dog; we trusted them with taking the roof off our house and reinstating it, so I wanted to say thank you.

I have given pretty generous tips to casual labourers when they've done a really good job.

When the cost for the work is under what I've budgeted, I 'make up' the rest with a cash tip for the front line workers.

Around here, it's lots of people having moved from their home country to find work/send money home, and costs of living are high.

There was one week midway through our build when the lads went above and beyond on something so we gave them £20 each and bought some beer for them to share on the Friday but it was exceptional circumstances. We didn't tip at the end of the project.

We gave our joiner a crate of beer when he'd finished cause he was good, worked hard and finished late. Also left out biscuits and crisps, tea coffee and juice for him, and the rest of the workmen. Wouldn't give them money though, they all get a wage.

What a cf! No tip!