The question of whether you should tip your movers comes up time and time again. However, there is not one, all-encompassing answer. If you do a quick Google search, you’re likely to find a multitude of articles, all suggesting something slightly different. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision.
Here Are Our Suggestions
Moving is part of the service industry. Movers perform a service, and therefore, tips are appreciated. Much like you tip a server or valet, movers also welcome the monetary sign of gratitude for a job well done. While tipping your moving company is always left to the discretion of the customer, it should be based on job performance, like with all other service providers.
Tipping movers can be confusing, because unlike restaurant servers, tipping a certain percentage doesn’t necessarily work. Two moves can require the same amount of loading and unloading time, but the price of each move might vary drastically due to the distance traveled. Instead, come up with a comfortable number and raise or lower it based on your satisfaction with the job.
Moving is arduous work, so if your items arrive intact and on time, slipping your movers this extra cash is the norm. How much you tip is up to you:
- For a half-day (4-hour) move with 2 movers, think about tipping each mover $10-$20.
- For a full-day (8-hour) move, $20-$40 per mover is adequate.
- Take your specific move into consideration. If you have especially heavy furniture and/or tricky staircases, a higher tip may be warranted. You can also tip more if your movers perform extraordinary service.
Tipping for Long Distance Moves
For long distance moves, it’s important to determine if the same crew is doing the pick-up and delivery. In many out-of-state moves, different crews will cover each location. During these moves, remember to tip each crew separately. If one crew is covering the entire relocation, tip at drop-off, but let the movers know that you do intend to tip them.
Final Thoughts
Remember, if you plan on tipping, tip each mover separately. Also, whether you intend to tip or not, having some bottled waters on hand is much appreciated.
How do you feel about tipping movers? As always, we’d love to hear your suggestions and/or thoughts on our Facebook or Twitter account