Tipping the Builders

[Rotaree]

I think it's a great idea to offer them something - cash would be nice but something more personal might be even better. Perhaps an 'experience' each would be something they'd enjoy, are you near a racing circuit for a driving day? This is is PH after all!

[stuartmmcfc]

When you said "experience" I thought we were in the lounge for a second and you were going to suggest I offer them a night with the Wife ...


Or me



Plenty of really good suggestions though, thank you

Edited by stuartmmcfc on Friday 25th July 23:24

[Squiggs]

I think if they've done you a turn then £50 by way of a few £10 notes as sign of gratitude (whilst being a nice touch) is a rather impersonal way of thanks. The notes will simply go into wallets and then be spent without any thought of where it came from.
£50 of beer (or spirits) each (should) take a little longer to get through = your thanks will be remembered for longer.
Buy a job lot mix of bitter, lager, cider, vodka, scotch and then present it as a job lot to all of them - they'll manage to divvy it out amongst themselves

[Fotic]

CoolHands said:

I bought my builders (who were similarly good) each a torch. Sounds a bit crap but they were approx 35 quid ish from memory - nice aluminium led ones a decent make (like fenix if you don't know nothing about torches). Its the sort of thing they probably wouldnt buy themselves, but would come in useful in their game. They seemed appreciative.

I gave mine a copy each of my autobiography.

[226bhp]

Fotic said:

CoolHands said:

I bought my builders (who were similarly good) each a torch. Sounds a bit crap but they were approx 35 quid ish from memory - nice aluminium led ones a decent make (like fenix if you don't know nothing about torches). Its the sort of thing they probably wouldnt buy themselves, but would come in useful in their game. They seemed appreciative.

I gave mine a copy each of my autobiography.

[jwo]

I'd like to find some builders who can give me a good honest quote for the work rather than rip me off with ridiculous quotes based on where I live (which is nowhere special, but perceived as well off...!)... Thus my tip would be don't take the pee....

Back to tic, I'd go with a few crates of beer and mayber £50.... It won't be expected but very appreciated...

[Renovation]

226bhp said:

don't fall into the trap of assuming they like beer

In the highly unlikely event that they don't, they can pass it on to friends that do.

[whoami]

Fotic said:

I gave mine a copy each of my autobiography.

Good tip.

[Squiggs]

Fotic said:

I gave mine a copy each of my autobiography.

Are you a 'special' person?

[jules_s]

They all poets on a Friday, put some money behind a bar and let them drink the afternoon away

[rb5er]

Don't buy them solely booze, not everyone likes drinking, even builders.

£50-£100 would be a welcone little bonus + drinks if you think its necessary.

[Xaero]

Cash would be received the most gratefully. My Dad's a builder and gets a bottle of wine from his boss every year, which he gives to my mum, and doesn't drink beer as it gives him headaches so I end up with that. He once got a tenner and talked about it for months, so I imagine £50 would go down very well.

I wouldn't bother with 'inviting them out/over for a meal,' it's likely they don't want to spend time with customers or each other in their free time and would require arrangements to get everyone timed together.

[Spudler]

Xaero said:

I wouldn't bother with 'inviting them out/over for a meal,' it's likely they don't want to spend time with customers or each other in their free time and would require arrangements to get everyone timed together.

What utter bks.

Take it from someone who employs builders/trades, they love an evening out, civilised or not.
If the relationship has been there (as in the OPs) then it would be very welcome.

[wolfracesonic]

Mixed selection of beers, a bottle of red and bottle of white (so they can earn brownie points with the OH) and what about some vouchers that can be spent online?

[groucho]

What about a new M5 each?

[eskidavies]

I'm currently working on a barn conversion ,the builder has informed me the client will be taking us out at the end for food and drinks,looking forward to it,there's prob going to be about 10 of us who have worked on the project.

[scott15]

I think 50 each as a gift will be well recieved.

Meal/bbq im not too sure how it would go down. Are you sure they are 'Friend-like' nice to you? Or are they being incredibly nice to you because you're paying their wages? After-all, you don't know what they say about you behind your back

[stuartmmcfc]

I'm not sure about to the meal/BBQ tbh but I'm glad the £50 and a few beers doesn't come across as being tight.
£100 would be nice but it could come across as a bit flash. if we lived in London, maybe, but we only got electricity around here a few years ago
When I was a plasterer it would have made me deeply uncomfortable if a client invited me to some sort of social do

[Xaero]

Spudler said:

What utter bks.

Take it from someone who employs builders/trades, they love an evening out, civilised or not.
If the relationship has been there (as in the OPs) then it would be very welcome.

I'm sure they all tell their boss they'd love a night out with him

I'm friendly with my bosses, but I'd rather have the £50 to enjoy with my wife than go for a meal with them, especially if it's in a situation where the customer is paying and not the boss.

[dickymint]

Cash is King Be sure you hand out whatever you decide individually - I know a few builders that would pocket the lot!!