It is far more common, and more appreciated, to give tips to the individual hourly low wage workers who do the work, rather than the GC in charge of the work. The job GC is only rewarded if they have really exceeded expectations in some way. The amount is entirely at the discretion of the homeowner. A bonus could be a thank you letter and a bottle of Jack, or many thousands of dollars. It depends on the scope, and the nature of the homeowner to be generous.

I love my contractor, but I will not be paying him a bonus, and I've never heard of anyone doing this. I'm a professional, and I can't imagine a client giving me a bonus or anything beyond a modest thank you gift after a big project. I've also never heard of tipping employees of subs who work under your GC. My impression is they are discouraged from having direct dealings with the owner.

Maybe it would be nice to give a thank you gift of some sort - but even that feels like something that would more appropriately be given to the homeowner who has paid the contractors tons of money, versus the client. Perhaps this might be different in a situation where you feel your contractor has repeatedly bent over backwards, done you favors, absorbed costs, etc. on the job?

I tip the workers if I felt they did a good job. Usually it's cash or gift cards I give them personally and just depends on the cost of the job. We generally DIY so when we do have workers in I'm pretty appreciative. I grew up in a blue collar family/neighborhood if it matters.

Yup (token bonuses to GC and plumber). And we always had individual-serving bags of chips, and bottles of cold water for anyone on the job-site. It seldom hurts to be kind to the folks doing the heavy lifting.

My husband is a GC and tips are not necessary or ever expected.

Although many times him and his workers have received cash tips. Usually he gets a nice thank you card or envelope with a hand written note of thanks included with the final check inside. Some will give him a bottle of wine and/or a gift card to a restaurant. Once he got a gift certificate at a Spa for a hot tub/couples massage. That was a little weird but we understood they were probably thinking his back must hurt from all the hard work or something. 😆

I can say I have been in, under, and around all facets of the construction industry for decades and I have never heard or seen this until being mentioned before on Houzz (cash tip after completion). I seem to think it has more to do with the contributing members of Houzz and the niche it fits.

A typically involved project just is not set up to reward fairly, or the right person, or at the right time, for doing a good job. And then there is the question of what should be expected with a normal job performance anyway.

And Charles Ross Homes I would be of the expectation that you are the one leaving a bottle of wine for the housewarming gift, as you are marketing for more business and social goodwill.

One person mentioned they “tip the workers if I felt they did a good job”. My expectation is I’m paying for a job and quality should be standard thus my expectation is a well executed plan. I’ve never known anyone to tip because someone did the job well. If anyone should be tipping the workers is their boss not the customer. This might sound harsh but this tipping for everything is getting out of hand.

You mean to tell me the $850,000 I paid the contractor wasn't enough? Now expected to tip too. This tipping culture is out of hand.

Yeah, 100% agree with Toni. They would have to go above and beyond and it wouldn't be cash since that would not be reported to the IRS.

My guys are tipped regularly. People recognize guys who are working their butts off and it's appreciated. I always let my boss know that his customers were tipping me, back in the day. Let's see that on my yearly review.

I have almost no direct interaction with the people doing the work under my GC. As a layperson, I also have very little ability to gauge whether they are doing a great job vs an adequate job. And I am not paying them; the GC is. I'm not, like, opposed to anyone tipping anyone if they want to, but it seems to me that if anyone should be tipping subs, it would be the GC.

If you are your own GC or you are DIYing with the assistance of pros, I can see that being a different situation. But not what OP was asking. I am in a major metro area in the Northeast, FWIW.

Are people tipping their architects? Land surveyors? Furniture store employees? Drapery installers?

"If anyone should be tipping the workers is their boss not the customer." Every one of my employees is paid bonus compensation based on the performance of the business and their contribution to it. That's different from a "tip," in my opinion. Homeowners are welcome to give my employees a token of their appreciation for excellent work in their home or not; it's their personal choice--not an obligation. Last week, homeowners brought flowers to my office for my project administrator to say "thanks" for her professional contributions on their project in progress.

For the people who feel tipping is out of hand, well, I grew up watching my dad working his tail off and not getting the pay he deserved for the demand on his body. He's almost 70 now, and my BILs are in the trades. I tip because I know what it means to have to work with your hands. YMMV.

Workers do not earn nearly what you think they do. 60% of their bill out rate is in overhead. Including the outrageous workers comp that their employer has no choice but to carry.

Those doing the actual hard work on the job site always work harder when appreciation is shown. Money is one form of appreciation. It spends better at the grocery store than “thank you“ or ”exposure” from influencers does. 😉