How Much to Tip for Installation?

[csm_274]

A local dealer is installing my HT system this week. It will take 2 men a total of 2 days to complete the installation. I am paying a nice sum for overall installation. With that said, I feel as though I should still give the two installers a tip.

One, is it customary to tip installers despite paying a nice chunk of money for the entire installation? Two, assuming it is...what's a respectful amount to give?

Just trying to do the right thing...

 

[mperfct]

I probably wouldn't tip them unless they did something above and beyond. That being said, I think $100 per guy wouldn't be too much and not too little as to be insulting.

 

[mudrummer99]

I probably wouldn't tip them unless they did something above and beyond. That being said, I think $100 per guy wouldn't be too much and not too little as to be insulting.

I would agree with that, but I would also throw in maybe an offer to buy them lunch as a nice gesture, I know I always do when I have anyone (even the plumber) at my house for any length of time doing something and they always seem to appreciate it greatly.

Mike

 

[BMXTRIX]

I'm gonna say that in years of professional and residential work, I've only seen a few people that have tipped. It probably is considered less common than more common for these guys and is not expected nor required - but it is definitely highly appreciated.

For two guys for a couple of days - $20 - $50 would be more than enough to make them happy and remember your consideration for their good work.

Key concept: Their good work.

If they don't deliver good work, then there is no foul for not giving them anything at all, and I've seen the typical job from Best Buy and feel that is the type that does not deserve a tip.

On the other side, being nice to the guys by having sodas, water, and perhaps lunch available is definitely greatly appreciated. Offerring to order in a pizza for lunch for them keeps them from going out to lunch and may get more production from them and a cleaner overall job.

 

[lsiberian]

Just make sure you have energy foods for lunch.

Seriously I'd start off with thanking them for coming out and doing my best to show appreciation. I'd bring em a good lunch too.

Appreciated people work harder generally.

Tip a little at the end of day 1 and day 2 just so they realize they are getting paid more if they do a good job.

 

[highfigh]

They get paid to do that work. If they don't like how much they make, they should get a different job. There's nothing that says they should get a tip just for doing what their company pays them for. Many companies discourage tipping because it can easily turn into the installers doing side jobs using company vans, parts and materials that are never paid for. I know of installers who did this kind of thing on company time, too. If they're required to account for all of their time on the road, they usually just attribute it to a different customer and that person ends up paying for work that was never done for their job.

Buying lunch or soft drinks is good but they don't, and shouldn't, expect tips.

 

[BMXTRIX]

They get paid to do that work. If they don't like how much they make, they should get a different job. There's nothing that says they should get a tip just for doing what their company pays them for.

I agree with this entirely. But, the choice of a customer to show appreciation for the specific work which is done by specific employees is always appreciated by those employees and will be remembered. This is especially true when service calls come up or if there are any issues with the system at all.

Required? Not at all!

Appreciated? Yes, it is. It may allow a husband (or boyfriend) to take his girl out for a nice dinner, which just makes everyone a bit happier.

Many companies discourage tipping because it can easily turn into the installers doing side jobs using company vans, parts and materials that are never paid for.

Not only have I never heard this, the logic doesn't make sense. A person works hard and does a good job in their day job, for doing this, they get a tip, so they will then go work a side job? Generally speaking, if people are working side jobs, they are working side jobs and it is often against company policy.

I know of installers who did this kind of thing on company time, too. If they're required to account for all of their time on the road, they usually just attribute it to a different customer and that person ends up paying for work that was never done for their job.

Then they don't get a tip, and could end up fired, and it certainly has no bearing on them receiving or not receiving a gratuity for a job well done.

Buying lunch or soft drinks is good but they don't, and shouldn't, expect tips.

As I said - this is something I agree with completely.

I just have not seen, in the last ten years, any employee who wasn't extremely grateful for a gratuity given by a customer. Or an employee who complained because a customer did not tip. Generally, it is NOT expected, nor demanded, and it is always very much appreciated.

Just as food from customers is not demanded, but appreciated. Heck, I remember one customer who made us fresh cookies everyday on the job site. Everyone working there very much appreciated it. No tip, but I still remember the cookies.

 

[sawzalot]

I think that your tip was already included in the overall agreed price, which I'm sure is no small amount. That being said , like the others pointed out, it is a nice gesture to provide some lunch and beverages for them, as that saves them from going out away from the project and spending monies for lunch and such.When contractors perform work on your home they charge you above the required amount to pay the help well enough and still have a nice profit margin, we dont tip the plumber, electrician, landscaper, these guys are no different it is their line of work.

 

[highfigh]

I agree with this entirely. But, the choice of a customer to show appreciation for the specific work which is done by specific employees is always appreciated by those employees and will be remembered. This is especially true when service calls come up or if there are any issues with the system at all.

Required? Not at all!

Appreciated? Yes, it is. It may allow a husband (or boyfriend) to take his girl out for a nice dinner, which just makes everyone a bit happier.


Not only have I never heard this, the logic doesn't make sense. A person works hard and does a good job in their day job, for doing this, they get a tip, so they will then go work a side job? Generally speaking, if people are working side jobs, they are working side jobs and it is often against company policy.


Then they don't get a tip, and could end up fired, and it certainly has no bearing on them receiving or not receiving a gratuity for a job well done.


As I said - this is something I agree with completely.

I just have not seen, in the last ten years, any employee who wasn't extremely grateful for a gratuity given by a customer. Or an employee who complained because a customer did not tip. Generally, it is NOT expected, nor demanded, and it is always very much appreciated.

Just as food from customers is not demanded, but appreciated. Heck, I remember one customer who made us fresh cookies everyday on the job site. Everyone working there very much appreciated it. No tip, but I still remember the cookies.

Anything given outside of the regular payment is a tip and cookies are a good one.

All of the places I worked for discouraged tipping for the reasons I gave. It can be kind of a token warning but we all know that if an employee refuses at first, they can be beaten down by the customer and forced to accept it, if you know what I mean. I've actually found tips in my tool bag on occasion. I helped a friend on a job in Chicago last year and when I saw the wife at a grocery store last week, she hugged me. I can't wait for that phone call if their son fires up with "Daddy- I saw mommy hugging some weird man at Trader Joe's!".

One of the times we were at their place, she brought Thai food back for us.

 

[j_garcia]

Years ago when I ordered my last CRT TV, which was 220lbs and I lived on the 3rd floor, I tipped the delivery guys because they deserved it. I sure as hell didn't want to carry that thing up the stairs (no elevator).

 

[aberkowitz]

I recently had a guy come to my new place to hang my tv and wire my speakers. Since it was his own business I didn't feel the need to tip him or the guy he brought with him.

I think the best form of tip you can give to guys like that is to pass their card/information around as far and wide as possible to help them generate new business. This guy had done half the condos in my building (including my place for my landlord and his wife when they lived there), so he was already more than happy to cut the price for me.