??? for the board about tipping.

[halo1]

I have a ?? for the board... My girlfriend is getting her counters and floor tiled in Pcola.... The contractor keeps dropping hints about tipping....example... He said " My last client was so happy about my job peformance that he tipped me 30%... and I normally only get 15-20%" This struck me as unprofessional... I didn't say anything to him because I am not paying him... But my gf says he has dropped the tip word in 6-7 converstations... Here's my question... Do you tip general contractors ??? In my opinion it's No.... he is already making at least 30+ dollars an hour.. But I really don't know the etiquette when it comes to this type of work... any help would be appreciated.... He is doing a good job, but the work is 3 days later then promised, and there is dust everywhere inside from him doing the bullnosing inside... Am I wrong in thinking it rude for anyone to drop multiple tip hints ?? Also do you tip for major housework such as tiling ?? Thanks !!

[Wharf Rat]

IMO, no. Especially if he's running behind and has made a mess. If they were to go above and beyond expectations, then it could be debatable.

[wirenut]

Very unprofessional and hell no they make an hourly wage and if it isnt enough they will quit and go to another job.Ive been in constuction for 27 years and in that time Ive been offerd tips maybe 3 times and I would not except them. Granted most of my work is commercial and industrial and wouldnt get offerd tips any way.Is this guy working for himself or somebody else?:nonono

[Brandy]

Thats crazy. Contactors dont get tips , they get referals. With referals you cancharge a little extrabecause of peace of mind to the customer. Tell him if he does a good honest job you will definatley give a referal.

[Josey Wales]

he wants a tip give him this one...Don't play with fire!!! I was a contractor for a lot of years and we never brought it up and never expected one. If and when we got one it was 20 to 30 bucks, enough to buy the crew, 2 or 3 guys, lunch. I'll bet $10 bucks that guy is from up north, sorry to any of our northern friends on the forum.

[Bigg J]

no way. i might be young but all my jobs have consisted with public service. first restaurant(they get tips) then a/c work, then utilities, now fire service. u get paid by your employer for what u do and how you do it. if someone offers tips it looks better to turn them down. but for someone to ask for a tip, my response is simply, :moon

[whipper snapper]

surely this is not the company owner? i can see some lame brain employee of the gc doing such, and would probably get fired over implying he should be tipped. if it is the owner, i do believe we should knowwho this is.

[Xanadu]

That's funny. You said General Contractor and then you said he was making $30/hr laying tile. Well, which is it? No GC I know is laying tile and surely they're not getting or expecting tips. I've had customers tip our employees for going above and beyond, but its not expected.

[Kajun]

hell no..your getting raped as it is, the GC bidded your job or agreed to a price before hand, he's not serving you dinner.....GC's are so used to the last 5yrs when they could name their price and get top dollar.....now that RE is down they want tips??? :nonono

[sosmarine]

I'm sure glad some contractors chined in and said NO. Never heard of tipping a contractor. Maybe a little IF they came in ahead of schedule and under the estimate and did a really bang up job. Doesn't sound like that's the case.