You\'re having new blinds installed in your windows. The installer works for a company that pays its workers a full wage. So are you obligated to tip him or her? The answer varies from person to person; it's also dependent on a few factors.
Generally speaking, it's not required to tip blind installers for the job. A common consensus is that you should always tip when someone performs a service for you - anywhere from $10 to $30 per worker. An estimated 50% of people believe tipping in this situation should be obligatory.
While views on tipping vary from customer to customer, you may also be surprised to know that not all contractors feel the same way about tipping, either.
If employees are being paid a fair, steady wave, then tipping is technically not mandatory - not in the same way that tipping your server at a restaurant is, because they tend to earn between $2-3 an hour. The average person is unlikely to tip blind installers more money than what is already owed for the service. There are even installers who don't want to be tipped (though not all feel this way).
There are, however, other ways you can "tip" that don't involve money. We'll discuss those later.
For those who do tip, the average amount is $20 per worker
Larger crews (4 or more people) average about $10 per person
If the job is long-term, or particularly difficult, an additional $100-200 is customary
Customers tend to offer about $5 per person, which averages to roughly $20 per day for the project.
It's a good practice to give a tip any time the worker goes above and beyond the initial job requirements. If you are paying for high-quality work, however, it's likely that the tip is included in your service fee.
According to etiquette experts, tipping an installer isn't expected when you are paying a specific, set price for a project. If the installer requires more money, it would have been included in the bid already.
You don't necessarily have to tip every time you have work done in your home. But to ensure that the installer is at ease, you may consider the following things:
Most installers aren't expecting tips, nor do they regularly receive them after installing blinds. It can certainly be appreciated if you offer one, however.
As tradespeople, blind installers are skilled at what they do. They are offering a professional service, not a personal one. Occasionally, tips can feel patronizing and make workers feel uncomfortable. In place of a monetary gift, many blind installers prefer
If you feel inclined to offer a tip, you may want to ask first rather than simply handing it to them. Don\'t be surprised or offended if they refuse. If the installer does accept the tip, make sure they know what it is you are tipping for: you genuinely appreciate the quality of work they just did for you.
It's polite to allow the installer to use your bathroom (especially if you're also offering beverages on the job). This is one thing that has been repeated by many tradespeople: when you gotta go, you gotta go. They work hard, are very professional, and will not make a mess of your bathroom.
If you don't have specialty beverages to offer, such as coffee or soda, at least make sure that water is readily available - especially if multiple trips to the service truck are required on a hot day.
There are occasional moments when it's rather obvious that a tip on top of the service fee isn't necessary. Do not feel obligated to tip if any of the following occurs:
While most tradespeople are professional and courteous - especially if they are the face of their business - there are some whose people skills don't match their trade skills. If someone is rude to you in your own home, you are absolutely not expected to tip them. Pay them the agreed-upon service fee and leave it at that. Tips are a way to show someone they are worth more than their rate. In this case, that wouldn\'t be true.
Your time and money are valuable. If the work you paid for just isn't good, you aren't obligated to tip. Tipping in this instance is reserved for extra work, or work that well exceeds your expectations. Giving a tip for sub-par service can reduce the power and meaning behind tips.
If your blind installer is a private business owner, they take all the service fees - there's no "higher up" taking their cut. If the installer is already charging a higher-than-average fee, you don't need to pay more on top of that. Their work is already being sold at a premium.
The decision to tip your installer is up to you: it seems that the public is almost evenly split about this issue. It may be helpful to pay attention to how you feel during the experience with your contractor: did they not only do the base work you paid for, but go above and beyond? Were they courteous and easy to talk to? Did you end up having a conversation beyond the scope of the job being performed? Did they drive out to you during a period of high traffic - especially if it\'s during the holiday season?
Also worth considering: what is the weather like on the day of installation? If there is heavy rain or snow, a tip may go a long way to tell the worker that you appreciate them taking the risk of being on the road in order to perform a service for you.
Depending on the company you hire, you could be paying a large amount of money for the services being done. Most of that money may be going into that worker's pocket, or they are being paid a fair wage by the hour already. It is an understandable concern that tipping after every home service, especially if your home is new and requires lots of installations, could quickly add up. In situations where tipping isn't customary or required, many people choose not to so as not to completely drain their wallets.
To tip or not to tip - go with what your gut tells you. But if you don't tip, be sure to thank the worker for a job well done. Appreciation goes a long way and can be considered a form of a "tip" by itself in this line of work. You can also "tip" in the form of leaving a positive Yelp review, contacting the employer to commend your installer by name, or old-fashioned word of mouth to anyone you know in need of blind installers.