Tipping culture is a well-known phenomenon in the United States, but we generally associate it with eating out at restaurants.
When it comes to tipping plumbers, many of us aren’t sure what is appropriate.
Do they earn enough without receiving tips from clients, or is it necessary to tip plumbers?
Tipping plumbers isn’t customary since they’re not dependent on tips to make a living. If you regularly work with the same plumber, or if they take extra time and effort to help you out, you may wish to tip them. Some sources state you should tip at least $20, while others recommend tipping 10% of the invoice total.
In this article, we’ll discuss how much to tip plumbers in various scenarios. We’ll also talk about how much plumbers make on average and whether it’s necessary to tip other handypeople, such as general contractors and repairmen.
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Do You Tip A Plumber?
Plumbers are well-paid and don’t require tips. Unlike waitstaff, they typically make far more than minimum wage hourly. If a plumber comes to help you with a one-time problem, then it’s not usually necessary to tip them.
Still, if you work with a plumber regularly and they frequently cut you a deal, you may wish to tip them. It’s not mandatory, but plumbers that spend extra time and go above and beyond to provide good service will absolutely appreciate a tip.
Generally, when you want to tip a plumber, the minimum tip amount should be $20. Of course, this is just a guideline, and at the end of the day, the amount you tip (or don’t tip) is completely up to you.
You can also leave a good review online for your plumber or the company they work for. This can bring in more business for them. Positive word-of-mouth is sometimes even preferred over a monetary tip.
What Is A Good Tip For Plumbers?
According to Indeed, plumbers in the United States make an average of $28.37 per hour and nearly $60,000 each year. They also tend to work overtime for additional pay and receive various benefits, such as health insurance and a 401(k) plan.
Because they receive reasonable wages, it’s not necessary to tip plumbers. But if you feel inclined to tip, 10% of the invoice is sufficient. For larger projects, you may wish to tip as much as $100 to $200.
You may also want to factor in any extra time or additional expenses the plumber incurred by helping you. If they came on short notice or helped you out with an emergency situation, that may also be a good reason to tip.
Plumbers will provide good service even without tips, but they’re sure to appreciate anything extra you want to give them.
Is It Customary To Tip Repairmen?
If you’re only calling a repairman for a one-time service call, there’s really no need to tip.
However, suppose you have more of a working relationship with a repairman and call on them multiple times over the course of the year. In that case, offering them a bonus or tip may be appropriate when the holiday season comes around.
This tip could be anywhere from $20 to $100, or any amount you’re comfortable with. It’s a nice way to show your gratitude for the repairman’s consistent willingness to stop by and help out.
Another situation in which you might want to tip a repairman is if they complete a project that’s not part of their typical scope. Or, if your repairman doesn’t always charge you for their services, a tip is a much-appreciated gesture.
Do Plumbers Make Tips?
According to U.S. News, plumbers make a median income of just over $56,000. Income for plumbers ranges from about $42,000 (for the lowest-paid 25%) to $75,000 (for the highest-paid 25%). These numbers have consistently trended upward over the years.
Because plumbers are not reliant on tips from clients to make ends meet, tips aren’t required or expected. You still have the option to tip if you’d like, but it’s not mandatory.
Something to note is that you may run into some plumbing companies that do not accept tips at all. Generally, companies do this when they recognize that the cost of plumbing is already high, and they don’t want their employees to ask for or demand tips.
Should You Tip A Handyman?
As with other contractors and repairmen, it’s not necessary to tip a handyman for a single job. In fact, it’s not ever necessary to tip them, but there are some situations in which a tip is welcomed.
For instance, if you regularly work with the same handyman and they come by regularly to take care of odd jobs on your property, a tip is more reasonable.
According to HomeAdvisor, you could tip as much as the handyman’s daily rate.
Are Contractors Tipped?
You do not need to tip general contractors. One survey revealed that remodeling companies only expect tips 6% of the time.
There are other options for you if you’d like to show your general contractor how much you appreciate their work. For instance, you could add a clause to the contract that states you’ll pay them a bonus if the project is completed early or comes in under budget.
This is a great way to incentivize your contractor while also showing your gratitude for their excellent work.
Another method of expressing gratitude is to leave a glowing review for your contractor online. This can bring them more business and more income as a result.
Conclusion
It’s not mandatory or expected to tip your plumber. In the United States, plumbers make an average income of almost $60,000 per year, so they don’t rely on tips to pay the bills.
You may want to tip your plumber if you work with them regularly, or if they go above and beyond to get the job done for you.
Tips of around 10% of the invoice total are usually sufficient, but some sources say you should never tip less than $20. Larger projects may warrant a tip of up to $200. However, these are just guidelines, and the amount you tip is completely up to you.