Guide to Tipping Movers

This is a guest post from ShippingSideKick.com Read more on their blog

One of the most common predicaments for millions of people moving is whether to tip movers and how much they need to tip them. We all know that tipping regardless of the service you are given can be an awkward experience. However, a tip is always appreciated, and it's a nice way it's a nice way to say thank you .

But, is tipping movers required?

No, it is not required. You are already paying for the services and experience, so anything extra is all up to you. However, in service industries such as the moving industry, the moving crew is often tipped by customers. Think about the work required to deliver a pizza - which is a greatly appreciated service. Then, compare the amount of work necessary to move your home. It's quite a bit more work that they pizza delivery, right? As a result, a typical tip is greater as well. Remember, you are trusting these people to take care of your valuable possessions- everything you own; it's a nice gesture to thank them and reward them for good work. Some moving companies have a strict policy about tipping, so it’s important to check the agreement or ask your coordinator before the day of the move.

How much?

As noted, the question often asked is how much to tip movers? It varies based on your experience and your ability, but 5-10% of the total moving bill for a normal move is typical. For example, if you are moving a four bedroom with a total move cost of $2000, it would be normal to tip $100-150 to be split between the crew.

You may have to decide who to tip because sometimes, the crew that helped you move from your older house may not be the team that helps you move to the new house. It’s a good idea to tip them separately, but make sure the tip is in cash. Be prepared ahead of time, get some cash and put them in an envelope. For a small haul, you can tip the individual mover; a normal range is $20-30 per mover. You can also consider tipping per hour of moving job, so a 4-hour haul will basically be around $20 if you tip $5/hour.

When is an extra tip a good idea?

You should never feel that you have to tip your mover; but if you have received excellent service it is greatly appreciated by the moving crew. Generally tip more if you feel that your move is more complicated. If your home content was too heavy, bulky, and awkward and took longer than anticipated, then you can show more appreciation for the crew by tipping more. You can also tip the crew by offering better services like showing up on time or because of handling your item with care.

The tip no matter how small will always be appreciated, but there are more ways you can show your movers that you appreciate their hard work. For instance, you can pass out bottled water or snacks or even make some sandwiches. Pizza is a good option to feed a crowd. Besides, if you have some furniture that you do not need or don’t want to take to your new home, you can offer it to them. They can take it for themselves, donate it or trash it for you, either way; it’s a good way of showing your appreciation. Lastly, your words mean more than anything, so a simple and sincere thank you and a smile will encourage movers to do an even better job next time.