How Much Should You Tip Your Movers?

When it comes to tipping, moving companies are no different from any other service-related company. After all, movers work hard lifting, loading, and unloading objects while taking care not to drop or damage anything. Although you pay a fee to the moving company for their service, tips are justified in many situations.

A Unique Profession

What makes this profession unique is that unlike other jobs considered a service trade, a lot is riding on the performances of each crew member. For example, if a food server were to drop your plate of food, the chef would simply make a new plate. With moving, there are no second chances. Although the moving company’s insurance does cover things like scratched furniture and dented appliances, little can be done for a damaged family heirloom.

Being service professionals, there is nothing wrong with tipping for a job well done. However, the amount of the tip is based on the attention, attitude, and work ethic of the crew. If you have a moving crew that does a horrible job, tipping is not required. On the other hand, when a moving crew shows up professionally dressed, clean, eager to work, and with a smile on their faces, a tip is definitely warranted.

Tipping a moving crew is common yet they do not expect it. However, when justified, a tip lets them know that you recognize their work. The tip also encourages them to do a great job for other customers. Moving is extremely hard work. In fact, some moves are downright back-breaking.

Appropriate Tipping

As far as the dollar amount of tip that movers are given, this is more of a flat rate opposed to a percentage. For example, if your move took a total of four hours, tipping the movers $10 is appropriate. For an eight-hour move, double the tip to $20 per person and for a 12-hour tip, $40 per person is completely in line.

Rather than hand all of the money to the person in charge, each crew member should be handed his own tip. This shows that you appreciate the work performed by each one but it also ensures the crew receives the amount of tip intended. In addition to the hours involved, there are other factors to consider.

• Is the original place and new place on one level and if not, do they have an elevator or stairs?
• Do you have numerous large and heavy pieces being moved?
• How big is the move overall (one bedroom versus four bedrooms or one office versus six offices)?

As a good rule of thumb, a larger tip is warranted for harder moves and given to movers that do an exceptional job.