How much to tip installer?

[VMI90]

I'm getting an upgrade to a DVR and D* has offered free installation. How much should I tip the installer? I'm not sure how much the installers are paid for an install and I want to make sure that he/she knows how much I appreciate their hard work.

Thanks for the input.

[joed32]

If it's a full install and they do a good job and make sure everything is working then $20 is a good tip.

[hdtvtechno]

perhaps a case of cold coke cola..

[raoul5788]

I'm getting an upgrade to a DVR and D* has offered free installation. How much should I tip the installer? I'm not sure how much the installers are paid for an install and I want to make sure that he/she knows how much I appreciate their hard work.

Thanks for the input.

If all they are doing is swapping out an old receiver for a dvr, I don't think I would tip anything. If they are running a new line, that's different. Maybe $10-20 depending on the amount and quality of the work.

[VMI90]

In my living room I currently have an H20. I'm having and HR21 installed there so the installer would need to run a 2nd line. I'm also having the H20 relocated to the master bedroom so there would need to have a line run to that location as well.

[jtwex]

Having everything ready for him/her is a big plus & I always have the ladder extended near where the dish is located. The extra gratuity comes in handy when peaking the dish becomes the priority. That suggested 70 reading may be acceptable for D but it wont be for you; an extra $20 for this service is a must.

[VMI90]

I was afraid that $20 wasn't enough. I currently have the slimline on a pole mount. For past installs I've offered to bury the line myself. I currently have the following signal strenght so hopefully peaking isn't necessary.

101 - 96%
110 - 94%
119 - 81%
99a - 83%
103b - 81%

[shugo77]

If they do a good, thorough, neat job, and clean after themselves... I have tipped $20. I don't tip just for the heck of it, they have to earn it.

[jtwex]

I was afraid that $20 wasn't enough. I currently have the slimline on a pole mount. For past installs I've offered to bury the line myself. I currently have the following signal strength so hopefully peaking isn't necessary.

101 - 96%
110 - 94%
119 - 81%
99a - 83%
103b - 81%

$20 was just to peak the dish & probably isn't enough for all that other stuff. I believe the first line is considered free, but discuss the whole situation with him/her before hand & see what he expects/wants. A worker that knows there's something in it for him at the end of the install whistles while he works.

I would personally like those numbers higher (119, 99 & 103) though that might not be possible as some receivers just show lower signal readings than reality. I had lower numbers on the H20's until a software update raised everything across the board.

[jtwex]

Oh, & if he's a good installer the gratuity should get you the guys cells phone number for those quick service calls in the future.