Do you tip a landscaper? There is no rule or standard about tipping landscapers. Some landscapers expect or appreciate tips, while others do not accept or require them due to the company’s management.
Ultimately, tipping landscapers is up to you and your level of satisfaction with their service. But if you want to do so, when and how much is suitable? Read on to get the answers in our article.
Tipping for Exceptional Service
Surveys have revealed that just 7% of handypersons reported regularly receiving tips. However, this percentage increased to 28% when they went above and beyond their initial scope of work, providing extra services and acts of kindness.
As you can see, tipping is more common and appropriate for exceptional service than for regular or average service. But what comprises excellent service in landscaping? Here are some examples where you may want to tip landscapers:
- The landscapers complete the job faster than expected or scheduled.
- They perform extra tasks not included in the contract or quote.
- They handle challenging situations with both ease and professionalism.
- They provide helpful advice or suggestions on how to improve your landscape.
- The team is friendly, courteous, and respectful to you and your property.
When Should You Tip Landscapers?
If you decide to tip landscapers for their service, you may wonder when is the best time to do so. Follow our tips on when to tip landscapers for each type and frequency of the service:
One-Time or Seasonal Projects
If you hire landscapers for a one-time or seasonal project, such as installing a new lawn, planting a garden, or removing snow, you should tip them at the end of the job when they present you with the final bill. This way, you can evaluate their work and express your satisfaction with their service.
Also, do you plan to hire them again? If yes, giving a tip could prioritize your place at the forefront when you make a future request. Ultimately, the decision to tip for any landscaping service is yours. It’s crucial to verify with the company whether tipping is permitted for their lawn service staff before offering gratuities.
Recognizing Quality
If you hire landscapers for regular maintenance, such as mowing, trimming, or weeding, consider tipping them once in a while or at the end of the season when they complete their last visit. This tipping decision shows that you recognize the quality and consistency of their service throughout the season.
Urgent Projects
Did a big storm destroy your yard? Need a quick tree removal before a special event? In these cases, if a landscaping company steps up in a hurry and does a great job, it’s a good time to consider leaving a tip to thank them for their extra effort. By doing so, you are showing gratitude and appreciation for their prompt and efficient service.
How Much is Appropriate to Tip Landscapers?
Each individual has their answer to the question: Do you tip a landscaper? If your answer is yes, you may wonder how much is appropriate to tip them. This query has no definitive answer. However, here are some general guidelines that can help you decide:
Factors to Consider
- Team Size: Consider the number of landscapers working on your property. For larger teams, you can tip each worker separately or give the supervisor or owner a lump sum for distribution. For a solo worker, direct tipping is often more appropriate.
- Job Complexity: Simpler jobs like mowing and trimming may warrant smaller tips, while more complicated projects like root removal may justify more substantial tips. Typically, tips for large or challenging projects vary from $20 to $100 in addition to the service cost.
- Work Quality: The quality of the work performed is also a key factor. Exceptional work that exceeds your expectations may call for a larger tip, while average or subpar work may merit a smaller bonus.
Flat Fee vs. Percentage: What’s the Norm in the Landscaping Industry?
Another question is whether to tip landscapers a flat fee or a percentage of the total bill. Tipping a flat fee is simple and easy, as you can decide how much to give based on your budget and satisfaction. However, this option may not reflect the value or difficulty of the service, as you may end up tipping too much or too little for different jobs.
Meanwhile, tipping a percentage is more proportional and fair. Still, it may be complicated and confusing, as you need to calculate the rate based on the total bill, including taxes, fees, or discounts.
If you tip a percentage, an expected range is 10% to 20% of the total bill, depending on the quality of service and your satisfaction. Adjust this range according to your preference and circumstances.
FAQs
What happens if you don’t tip your landscaping crew?
If you don’t tip your landscaping crew, nothing bad will happen to you or your property. Unlike other services such as restaurants, hotels, or hair salons, tipping is not mandatory or expected for landscaping services. However, you may miss a chance to build a good relationship with the landscaping crew and ensure their dedication to future services.
Should you tip a lawn care crew specifically?
The lawn care team responsible for mowing your grass brings different skills and knowledge compared to trained landscapers. Tipping isn’t customary for your crew when they cut your lawn on a routine basis.
However, it’s a thoughtful gesture to consider providing a modest bonus, perhaps during the holiday season. A tip ranging from $15 to $20 is sufficient, as it’s not an obligation to tip your lawn care crew.
If you were to tip each member of the crew every week for their grass-cutting services, the total could amount to nearly a thousand dollars annually. Consequently, it’s not necessary and might not be a wise financial choice. Instead, a more practical approach is recognizing their hard work once or twice a year with a modest tip for each crew member.
Is it customary to tip gardeners or other tradespeople?
As mentioned above, tipping is not mandatory or expected for landscaping services in general. Whether you should tip gardeners or other tradespeople depends on your preference and satisfaction with their service. If they exceed your expectations, reward them for their efforts and professionalism.
Conclusion
In summary, do you tip a landscaper? The answer depends. Based on the quality of service, the complexity of the job, and the etiquette in your area, the decision is in your hands. We hope that this article has provided you with some helpful information and insights.
Don’t miss our latest article on the most cost-effective time of the year for tree removal. If you have any further questions or need expert advice, feel free to contact us!
