Doorman Etiquette: When to Tip Your Building Staff

NYC holiday tipping guidelines call for roughly $75-$300 for your superintendent, $40-$200 for each doorman or concierge, and $20-$75 for porters and handymen — handed out as cash in a labeled envelope, typically starting the weekend of Thanksgiving. The weekend of Thanksgiving marks the tip-off of tipping season in the hospitality industry. For residents of full-service buildings, this means it’s time to spread goodwill to the staff members who have helped you out countless times in your day-to-day. 

Of course, as with any tipping culture, the “rules” and common etiquette can be unclear to anyone not in-the-know. How do you know when and how much to tip your building staff in NYC? 

Tipping your staff during the holiday season is not only generous but expected. Let’s explore when you should tip, who you should tip, and how much you should give them during the holiday season.

How Much Should You Tip?

Tipping isn’t a requirement when you live in a full-service building, but it won’t go unnoticed if you don’t tip your staff. How much you should tip can vary depending on your location and the various tasks the staff performs for you. 

There are many behind-the-scenes workers in a resident’s full-service building.  Doormen often work brutally long hours and have many responsibilities ranging from signing your packages to security detail to hanging up your dry cleaning.

Concierges cater to their tenants most of the day, so showing them extra gratitude can go a long way. A general rule of thumb is to tip your building staff a week’s worth of their wages during the holidays. If you have a financial setback and can’t afford to tip as much as you’d like, consider including a small gift and/or a note with your gratitude and well-wishes.

You can also find tip calculators online to make this a breeze.

Who Should You Tip?

During the holidays, you should tip your building’s superintendent, doorman, elevator operator, newspaper carrier, handyperson, and housekeeper.

These workers do everything they can to meet your needs throughout the year. They keep the building running satisfactorily and keep you, your packages, and your vehicles safe. If you’ve ever been worried about being stuck in an elevator, losing a package to theft or having a car vandalized, these staff members have been behind the scenes preventing these problems.

The building’s superintendent typically receives the highest tip – around $75 to $200 on average – and your doorman or concierge comes in at a close second. Being a doorman can make having a personal life difficult and there isn’t much room for advancement in the hospitality industry. If you’re a generous tipper, your doorman and other building staff will likely go above and beyond for you throughout the year.

Your tips are greatly appreciated. You must thank these people for their duties during the holidays, as their struggles are likely similar to yours.

When Should You Tip?

Holiday tipping is to show gratitude for the services you receive throughout the year. Many buildings put a card under every door in the building to extend holiday greetings and remind residents of the pecking order of their staff. Senior employees typically receive higher tips than new employees. These cards are usually distributed during the first week of December.

From Thanksgiving weekend, you can begin tipping your building staff for the holidays. You can also extend tipping until after Christmas. It’s best to tip as early as possible to assist your staff with seasonal expenses. The specific date of your tip doesn’t matter as much as the generosity you convey by tipping those who go above and beyond their call of duty.

Why Should You Tip?

Your building staff performs everyday tasks that save you time and money. From getting groceries, keeping your packages safe, and promptly tending to maintenance needs, living in a full-service building comes with plenty of perks. 

Co-op fees and rent are included in building staff wages, but tipping is more than just a kind gesture. The hospitality industry comes with perks like tipping for a reason. Building staff doesn’t have the normal perks other jobs have, like an above-average salary to support their families in an expensive city.

Doormen see many personal moments and keep your secrets. These service industry professionals are worth every dime you can spare for them. Some doormen in New York City are part of a union that provides benefits but also has a salary cap so they can’t make more than a certain amount of money per year without tips.

They fully appreciate the tips they are offered during the holiday season and count on them to meet their financial needs and obligations.

How Much to Tip, by Role

Exact figures vary building to building, but current NYC guides put the holiday range at roughly: superintendent, $75-$300 (up to $500 for a live-in super in a high-end building); each doorman or concierge, $40-$200; porters and handymen, $20-$75; garage or parking attendants, $25-$75; and dog walkers or regular pet sitters, about a week’s pay. Bigger buildings mean smaller individual tips are fine, since staff are receiving from many tenants, and renters are generally expected to tip somewhat less than owners.

Cash, Envelopes, and Tipping Outside the Holidays

Cash in a plain envelope or holiday card is still the standard, though Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal is increasingly accepted — include your name and apartment number so staff can credit the right household. Many buildings circulate a staff list in early December; it’s best to hand envelopes to each person directly rather than routing everything through the superintendent. Tipping isn’t limited to the holidays, either: routine duties don’t need a tip, but a few dollars for above-and-beyond help — carrying a large delivery, hailing a cab in the rain — is appreciated, and off-scope work like waiting for a repair technician is worth at least $20 an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I tip my NYC doorman for the holidays?

It depends on the role: current NYC guides suggest roughly $75-$300 for a superintendent, $40-$200 for each doorman or concierge, and $20-$75 for porters and handymen. Tip more in a larger, full-service luxury building and less in a smaller one, and give slightly less if you rent rather than own.

Should I tip in cash, or is Venmo okay?

Cash in a labeled envelope or holiday card is still the traditional standard, but Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal are increasingly accepted too. Whatever method you use, include your name and apartment number so the right staff member gets credit.

Do I need to tip if I’m a renter, not an owner?

Tipping isn’t required, but it’s the norm in full-service buildings and staff notice who participates. Renters are generally expected to tip somewhat less than owners, and it’s fine to scale down if you’re facing a tight budget — a smaller amount with a genuine note is always better than nothing.

Should I tip my doorman outside of the holiday season?

Routine duties don’t require a tip, but a few dollars is a nice gesture for above-and-beyond help, like carrying a large delivery or hailing a cab in bad weather. For off-scope work, such as waiting in for a repair technician, plan on at least $20 an hour.

Tipping Your Building Staff

Tipping your building staff in NYC is a nice gesture that won’t go unnoticed. The holiday season is financially difficult for many people, especially in the service industry. Show them a little extra thanks and make their holiday season. You will benefit from your generosity in many ways throughout the coming year.

Author

Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated. Her real estate work has been published by the National Association of REALTORS®, Rental Housing Journal, and other online publications.

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