Trade worker etiquette: a guide

Welcome the installer with a friendly smile and show him or her the room where the work needs to be done. Some small talk about general health, the weather or the journey is perfectly fine. Then leave the tradesperson to work in peace. Friendliness, openness and impartiality are crucial.

Describe the problem and the results you are looking for clearly and be open to the trade worker's suggestions. This will set the foundation for a good, communicative working atmosphere.

There is no general rule against leaving a trade worker alone in your home. If you have known the person for a long time, there may be no reason not to. However, in the case of someone you don’t know, it is advisable to at least stay in the house. You don’t need to look over the person's shoulder all the time, but it is useful to be in the house to answer any questions that might come up.

Small tokens of appreciation are a nice gesture and show that you value the installer's work. A small gift, for example, a bar of chocolate, is reasonable for larger jobs such as a bathroom renovation. Coffee, drinks or snacks and a little small talk will also lift the mood and build team spirit.

Another way to express your appreciation is to phone the company to praise the fitter and say thank you for the good work.

Tipping tradespeople is not compulsory and most installers will not expect a tip as they are paid by their employer. If you still want to tip, the amount should be no more than €20 for small jobs and €50 for jobs that last several days. Bear in mind that self-employed trade workers have to pay tax on tips, whereas employed installers do not.