Quick tipping question

Our neighbor is a carpenter. We hired him to build a roof deck. We paid him a lot of $ cash, and he hired a couple of guys, who he is paying cash.
They are finishing now.
Am I supposed to tip????
We still have to make the final cash payment - if so would we do it then, and how much?
Do we tip the neighbor or guys? I have no idea what to do!!!

Re: Quick tipping question

no tip

Re: Quick tipping question

thank you! That's what I thought, but wanted to make sure I wasn't being cheap.

edited for typos

Message edited 4/30/2010 3:36:50 PM.

Re: Quick tipping question

My in-laws just got their hardwood floors redone, and they hired these 2 guys. So, over the course of the 2 days, they bought 2 other guys with them as well. My MIL asked me whether she had to tip the other ones. Also, my in-laws went to the store and bought rolls and cold cuts & soda & water for them! I said absolutely not, you paid the original 2 guys and they gave them some extra the 1st day! I said it's the 2 guys responsibility or right if they feel like giving extra to the other 2, not my in-laws! I'm not a cheap person and ALWAYS tip, but this just didn't seem right. If they needed extra help for the job, that was there problem!

Re: Quick tipping question

I'm taking a different spin on this one.

To me, a tip is for exceptional service so just because it was your neighbor or that you paid in cash, does not necessarily mean that they should not be tipped.

If the group did a solid job, cleaned up well, were polite, etc. then maybe something extra would be a nice gesture.

As someone who works in the service industry and greatly depends on tips, I know they are always appreciated.

Good Luck