Tipping building team on a large job?

[grandschemeofthings]

We're about a third of the way through a fairly big renovation. Extending and totally re doing downstairs and small extention at second floor level too. Total build cost £200k+

We're living on site (upstairs) while they do the work which obviously inconveniences them but they're so considerate about it all (though I'm sure we're also paying a premium on the contract price for that!).

There are two or three guys who are on site every day doing the bulk of the work. They are lovely - tidy, polite, friendly, quiet, great with our teenagers. All round nice guys.

There's at least four months to go so we're nowhere near done, but already wondering if we should be tipping them when they've done their stint?

We got them a mini freezer which we stock with ice creams/ice and offer them coffee/tea. Normally I'd bake for them but temp kitchen is a bit limited.

What's standard practice on a big build like this? Bottle of spirits/case of beer each when they're done? Cash bonus?

Should we just be getting a few beers in at the end of every week? If we weren't living on site it wouldn't be on my radar as much but it's different when we're all together all day.

I'm confident they are paid well/fairly but would like to make sure they know we appreciate them - they even made a special temporary access ramp for the cat this week 😂

A cash bonus would go down really well. I have relatives in the building trade and they are always very grateful if they get a tip from a client. If they are not self employed I think you'd be surprised at how little they may actually be on an hour.

Even if they are self employed it's always great to be appreciated when you've worked hard.

I’ve no idea what’s normal, but they sound great and it’s always nice to show appreciation, especially when people are making your home and taking care with it. In a similar situation, we did the same sort of thing in terms of ice creams when it was hot and beers on a hot Friday afternoon. At the end of the job, we gave the labourers each a little bit of cash to say thanks and for them to get themselves some beers - or whatever, but that was how we phrased it. Hope the build continues to go well!

I dont agree with tipping at the best of times, but tipping builders who you have already paid £200k to do a job? Seriously?

When I had a big project on the go I used to provide drinks and a chocolate bar morning and afternoon and on a Friday slip them £20 for a beer , ‘ thanks for your hard work this week guys have a drink on me ‘ kind of thing . Went down very well .
re above just because a job is £200k doesn’t mean it’s going in the workers pocket , materials are a horrendous price these days .

Excellent, thanks everyone, food for thought!

@Doris86 I get it - but it's as much about the gesture as the money. They'll have been sharing our house for almost 9 months by the end of it and I'd like them to know we're grateful. I hear so many builder horror stories, it's never a given that they'll be as lovely as they have been so far.

@hattie43 @Hatty65 I am cautiously optimistic that they're paid fairly - they clearly like the MD, he's a good guy who turns up and gets involved in the heavy lifting, seems to be a happy team. Very true re materials though, we've got a fully itemised quote and you can see each month where the money's going.

We'll keep them stocked with ice cream and might start chucking beers in there too and then maybe a bottle of something and cash when they're done.

Nothing wrong with tipping if you feel they have gone above and beyond. A crate of Stella can do wonders for team morale! Just make sure you give it to them at the end of the shift and not the start.

Yeah I’d just be giving them some beers or something also