Should a homeowner tip a contractor for a job well done?
At my New Jersey home, I recently had a paver patio installed. The contractor did a great job and I am very happy with the results.
Recognizing a job well done
Not only did the contractor put incredible craftsmanship into the project, but he put in a lot of extra work, cleaning out our gutters (which were blocked, causing water to pour onto the patio area and slow down construction), adding caps that our builder neglected to install on our downspouts and carrying away some brush and twigs in my yard that I never got around to clearing.
He did dig up our side yard, however, with his construction equipment, but he has smoothed it out, seeded it and even mulched our front garden bed for us. (Which he temporarily dug up to get his equipment in.)
No tip needed?
So, I thought a tip would be in order at the end of the project. I had no idea how much would be appropriate, so I consulted with friends and checked websites like Angies List and Yelp. I read on those sites that while some people tip, many homeowners don't tip home-improvement contractors.
My neighbor just had a patio installed, so I asked her whether she tipped. She said no, since she figures she's already paid for the work that was done.
I went ahead and tipped anyway, giving the contractor (who owns his business) an extra $100 in cash -- which isn't much, considering the size and the cost of the project. But I also offered to recommend him on Angies List and Yelp, something which he appreciated.
Readers: What do you think? Was my tip too small, or should I not have tipped at all?—Lauren Baier Kim