How much should we "tip" for bathroom sink installation?

last year

A foreman of a construction company that I hired to work on my apartment is doing a favor for me. I need a vessel sink replaced in the place I'm currently staying at as I accidentally chipped it.

I asked him how much would the charge be. He told me that he won't charge me anything but to tip his worker. I don't know if he's doing this because something previously got screwed up with my apartment construction or because I already gave his company a lot of business or he's just being nice. I'm just appreciative of his gesture.

I live in Manhattan, NYC. What would be a customary "tip" to give the worker? Do I also need to tip the foreman or give him a gift?

Featured Answer

Kendrah

last year

Yep, $100 for the worker. The foreman is appreciative that you are being so easy to work with and honestly, they owe you seeing as they f'ed things up. Hope they are paying their workers well. I live in NYC too and am often concerned that the crew isn't making much off of the gobs I pay the contractor.

NYC surly is expensive. But, I'm living elsewhere this year and am surprised how expensive things are everywhere now, and some things in Manhattan no longer seem wildly overpriced.

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Comments (11)

cynthia charleville
last year
I don't have an answer for this but wanted to comment that I find it so refreshing to read this in a world where it seems like everyone is out to screw someone over!

Money aside, one of the best ways you can thank him is to leave a 5 Star review on all platforms, google, yelp, etc. as that will help him gain new customers.
lanikaicoconut thanked cynthia charleville
PRO
Minardi
last year
That's about a $300 job.
lanikaicoconut thanked Minardi
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Lyn Nielson
last year
for NYC $300 seems too low. His wages, for sure, time is money, favor or not.
lanikaicoconut thanked Lyn Nielson
lanikaicoconut
Original Author
last year
Lyn, this may be in response to how they messed up a part of my bathroom project. I could have had them start from scratch and do everything over. But I decided to modify my design to accommodate their mistake. It's not perfect and not what I originally wanted. But I know mistakes happen. So I have a feeling part of this is a mea culpa because I didn't make their life hell where they would have been out so much money and time due to their error.
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
I would see how long it takes him to fix it, then tip him cash based on $80 - $100 per hour. I don't know if you need to get the GC something since technically he isn't doing any work for that particular item. Or if you know he likes Starbucks or something, get him a gift card? Or a gift certificate to his favorite restaurant.

It's tough - your in NYC so everything is so much more than just an hour outside of the city!
lanikaicoconut thanked Debbi Washburn
lanikaicoconut
Original Author
last year
Debbi, it's just crazy how much everything is here! You can buy a home in many parts of the US for a kitchen/bathroom renovation here. It makes sense though - they need to factor in the cost of parking, tickets, labor, crazy building regulations, etc.
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
I'm an hour outside the city and we don't even like to go to Yonkers, let alone the city!
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
$100.00.
RedRyder
last year
Tip the person fixing the sink $100. Then tell the contractor you are happy to write rave reviews of him anywhere he wants. Pay his bill on time, recommend him to friends if you want to but you’ve indicated there had been mess-ups before. He sounds like he is trying to make it right and keep you happy.
Maureen
last year
I think $100 is a good amount, as it seems fair to you both. So it’s less awkward, put in an envelope.