Tipping house painters archived

I am a firm believer that you do not tip contractors. They are paid (over paid) for their service. Not the same as a service job.

If painters are working for a week, and house was kept neat and clean, I would be providing coffee/cold drinks/cookies/cake every day, and would hand each non-owner
guy $20 at end of week while saying "please buy tell lunch on me".

Cleg the workers aren't usually the contractors. They work for the contractor and usually get day pay or a set weekly salary. A tip is not required but appreciated I'm sure safety first, go with whatever makes you comfortable Not everyone tips so any gesture on your part is thoughtful and kind.

Corey

I am 56 years old, started house painting at 17, and I think I have only ever ONCE gotten tipped and I was stunned. I don't believe any painters are expecting to be tipped.

I agree, that the painters are usually the workers and not the owner of the painting business, I have always tipped them, 10 to 20 dollars each.

I honestly can't remember what we did with the interior painters - but when the exterior of our house was done, I handed the foreman a cash tip in front of the crew, and said (in both English and Spanish - I noted that the crew spoke mostly Spanish when they were working) that the money was a tip for the painters and then I thanked the workers. I had been on MOL and had been advised by those in the know to do the tipping in front of everyone, to make sure that the money went to the guys who had done the work.

emmie said:

I agree, that the painters are usually the workers and not the owner of the painting business, I have always tipped them, 10 to 20 dollars each.

This^. I would give the tip directly to the workers. They are not overpaid, and will most certainly appreciate the money and the gesture.

A case of beer for each saves them a trip to the store.

Yep, we must had the same painters, all they wanted was a case of beer, and I got that for them.

cleg said:

I am a firm believer that you do not tip contractors. They are paid (over paid) for their service. Not the same as a service job.

What do you mean by "over paid"?

munchies said:

I am 56 years old, started house painting at 17, and I think I have only ever ONCE gotten tipped and I was stunned. I don't believe any painters are expecting to be tipped.

I am 47 and started working as a carpenter at 18. I have been tipped twice in those 29 years, once by a man who said my price was too low, in the 90's and gave me an extra $10.00 an hour, plus a $1,000.00 tip at the end. The next time was in the early 00's when the home owner gave my partner a tip, thought he was an employee and I had to fight with him to get half of the $100.00, she gave him. It is nice to be tipped but not expected, for me at least

6dave6 said:

cleg said:

I am a firm believer that you do not tip contractors. They are paid (over paid) for their service. Not the same as a service job.

What do you mean by "over paid"?

I mean that many (of course not all) contractors prey on areas like Maplewood where very few people do anything for themselves on their house. Therefore, the prices are really, really high compared to what they should be for simple items like basic electric, plumbing and maintenance work.

If people want to tip that's fine and I am sure the workers appreciate it. I do most stuff myself but when I do need someone I usually end up going with a smaller owner/operator type firm so, no tip.

We recently had exterior painted, fairly extensive job. At the end my husband bought the guys beers etc at the end of the job. They have had to come back to address some follow ups, so its a good will thing, but entirely your choice. As he pointed out to me, we have other friends who tip everyone something- more a token tip, but something. Not if the owner is part of team, but the workers. In our case, some actually got 'extra" work that was not part of the core contract, so in that case, feel they benefited beyond the main job. I also agree, the pricing here is well above norm.

cleg said:

6dave6 said:

cleg said:

I am a firm believer that you do not tip contractors. They are paid (over paid) for their service. Not the same as a service job.

What do you mean by "over paid"?

I mean that many (of course not all) contractors prey on areas like Maplewood where very few people do anything for themselves on their house. Therefore, the prices are really, really high compared to what they should be for simple items like basic electric, plumbing and maintenance work.

If people want to tip that's fine and I am sure the workers appreciate it. I do most stuff myself but when I do need someone I usually end up going with a smaller owner/operator type firm so, no tip.

Maybe prices seem high to you because those contractors need to make a living wage, and, as I'm sure you're aware, cost of living in areas like Maplewood is much higher than in other areas. Heaven forbid a blue collar worker should be able to own a home or feed and clothe a family.

emmie said:

I agree, that the painters are usually the workers and not the owner of the painting business, I have always tipped them, 10 to 20 dollars each.

Maplewood house (2002) took about a week with four or five guys and a foreman.

House here in FL, exterior painted in 2009, same deal, three workers for a full week. Then a different company did 3200 sq ft interior in 2012, five guys and a foreman.

Everyone got tipped generally $40, foreman $60. Owner, $0 -- but he got to collect the check.

Thanks

Thanks for all your comments. I appreciate it. I will definitely tip. I have fed them several times but as I am not home I have not done it every day. Yes the cost has been kind of crazy but I doubt that the workers get a huge piece of the pie. Thanks again.

teneciah said:

cleg said:

6dave6 said:

cleg said:

I am a firm believer that you do not tip contractors. They are paid (over paid) for their service. Not the same as a service job.

What do you mean by "over paid"?

I mean that many (of course not all) contractors prey on areas like Maplewood where very few people do anything for themselves on their house. Therefore, the prices are really, really high compared to what they should be for simple items like basic electric, plumbing and maintenance work.

If people want to tip that's fine and I am sure the workers appreciate it. I do most stuff myself but when I do need someone I usually end up going with a smaller owner/operator type firm so, no tip.

Maybe prices seem high to you because those contractors need to make a living wage, and, as I'm sure you're aware, cost of living in areas like Maplewood is much higher than in other areas. Heaven forbid a blue collar worker should be able to own a home or feed and clothe a family.

Agreed well said. As for contractors "preying" on this area, there are some but most are just trying to make enough to "keep the lights on". What "should" prices be?

This is slightly off topic but I have a room in my house that I would like painted - ceiling and walls - how much should I expect to pay for that?

About 350

ZestfullyClean said:

This is slightly off topic but I have a room in my house that I would like painted - ceiling and walls - how much should I expect to pay for that?

That question cannot be answered, definitively, due to lack of information. Here is a possible price breakdown. 16'x16' room, white already and to be painted white. No repairs, just repaint, assuming it takes a day

1) 1 painter, $120.00 per day
2) 1 painters helper, $80.00 per day
3) Paint, 2 gallons, good paint, $110.00
4) Necessary items, Roller sleeves, tape, paint thinner, buckets, roller pans, etc, $35.00
5) Insurance costs, $30.00 per day, workman's comp, Liability, $15.00, commercial vehicle insurance, $10.00 per Diem
6) Infrastructure costs, truck repairs, shop rental, tool repair, $60.00, per Diem
7) profit, 25%, $143.00
8) Total, $575.00

This is light and should be more in the $700.00 range. The painter could cheapen the rate by removing the insurance, by not having it and lower the labor by picking the cheapest guy, who can hold a paint brush, as an employee

Or you could do it yourself for the cost of supplies. Painting is one of the easiest things a homeowner can do on their own. Buy good quality paint and quality brushes, , put on some good music and take your time - it is fun. Once you get the hang of it you can paint an average size room (not counting trim) in half a day.

A 25% markup is high if all the general requirements and overhead are built into the price. The actual wages seem fair. There is also probably a mark up on the supplies as well. Finally, skilled painters do not need to tape s room and it certainly should not take a full day with two guys and no repairs. 700 is way too much - but to each their own.

It's hardly high for a small job like that. In fact, it's low.

Thanks everyone. I normally do it myself (hence no clue on the cost) but I have a room with blotches of paint everywhere and thought it would be great to get it done before Thanksgiving. Perhaps I'll have to figure out a way to squeeze the paint job in before turkey time.