Movers are often asked how much to tip the moving crew that helps them relocate from one place to another. Although this is not a hard and fast rule, there are some general guidelines for tipping your moving company crew. The amount of the tip can vary depending on the work involved, the distance moved, and even the speed of your move.
How Much to Tip Local Movers?
The general rule of thumb is that you should tip for service well beyond normal levels. Anything more than 15 percent is a good average guideline for tipping movers. You may want to consider giving amounts proportional to how well you are treated during the entire process from start to finish. In some cases, it may be more appropriate to offer a token of gratitude rather than money in the form of refreshments or a meal.
How Do I Gauge the Appropriate Tip Amount?
If you have an antique or something very delicate and valuable, it may make sense to increase your tip beyond the average level. You may also want to consider how much the crew helped you throughout the move. Did they load and unload your items, or just handle them when they arrived at their location?
When deciding on an amount to give your movers for a tip, remember that it is usually not included in the moving price. Therefore, you can give them any amount you like, but it is usually best to round the dollar figure up a bit. Using this approach will keep your tip from being considered cheap or stingy, but not significantly over the value of what was given in service.
To help you get an idea of how much to tip local movers, here are some guidelines:
Factors That Can Affect Your Tip Amount
1. Heavy items: Crews who have to lift heavy items such as appliances, furniture, and boxes, typically receive a larger tip than those who do not.
2. The distance moved: Movers who travel farther distances sometimes charge more for the moving job since they incur more costs associated with relocation. Therefore, it may be wise to consider
3. The hours worked: Movers who work longer hours or on a weekend should be tipped proportionally more since they may have taken extra time off from their regular jobs.
4. The condition of the items that remain in the truck at the end of the move: Movers who leave less in their trucks have probably been very efficient, and therefore deserve a bigger tip.
5. The condition of the items that arrived at the new location: If your belongings are in better shape than they were when you packed them, and the movers get all credit for this positive outcome, it is appropriate to tip more.
6. If the crew went above and beyond expectations with great service, a larger tip may be appropriate.
7. Be wary of movers who request a tip in advance, as this is sometimes followed by bad work or even the disappearance of your valuables and possessions.
In the end, it’s entirely up to you whether you decide to tip at all or not. Don’t feel obliged to, especially if it’s over your budget. In most cases, you can simply write a separate check before the move to cover any expected tips for service well beyond normal levels. While movers appreciate any kind of gratuity, they also understand that sometimes people are not able to give big tips.
