This Is How Much You Should Tip Movers, According to Industry Experts
All kinds of factors influence how much it costs to move, from the distance between your old place and new one to whether you'll purchase extra moving insurance to what time of year you plan to move. But whatever the sum you end up being charged, you're likely wondering: How much should you tip your movers for a job well done?
While tipping isn't required, and you shouldn't expect it to be included in initial price quotes, it is standard practice to tip your hard-working moving crew: "They move all of your worldly possessions," says Billy Jack Snelson, chief marketing officer of Move Concierge. "Getting your stuff from point A to point B safely is worth showing a little gratitude."
The question isn't so much whether to tip but how much. Here's more nitty gritty info on tipping movers, including how much you should tip, what factors drive gratuity up (and down), even who you should hand the money over to at the end of a move.
What's The Standard Tipping Rate For Movers?
Moving is typically billed as an hourly rate or a flat rate, and different services such as unpacking boxes, covering floors with protective materials, and hauling extra-large items can tack on extra costs.
But when it comes to tipping, several experts said it's most commonplace to tip a percentage that's based on the total cost of the move. Those experts quoted anywhere from five percent to 20 percent.
Matt Graber, co-owner of Cool Hands Movers in New York City, says those moving should plan to tip between 15 to 20 percent of the total cost of the move, no matter the team size. By that reasoning, if a local move cost you $3,000, the tip amount would be $450 to $600, divided up among the crew members.
In other parts of the country, outside of dense cities, a simple half-day move across town, may warrant a tip on the lower end of the spectrum (between five to ten percent), experts say. That would be in places where there's little traffic; the move is straightforward, with no elevator reservations or traffic restrictions; and the movers can expect a clear driveway accessing a one-story home.
On the other hand, multi-day moves out of state that are more involved warrant the higher 15 to 20 percent tips, Snelson says.
Who Should You Hand Your Movers' Tip To?
When it comes to tipping, you can hand cash tips directly to the team leader, who can then distribute the money among the crew, says Ashlyn Cook, community outreach manager with UniMovers. Or, you can give tips to each mover individually. "If you go this route, try to have an even amount to give each mover so they don't have to split the tip themselves," she says.
If you're moving to a new region or state, you may have different moving crews that help you move out of your old place and into your new one, so factor that into how you divide up the tips, experts say. If you're planning to tip 20 percent, for example, you'd give ten percent to the crew that packed up your old house and ten to the team who unloaded and set you up in your new home.
Documenting your spending is a good idea, too, says Snelson. If your company has relocation benefits, you can ask your moving company to include your tip in the bill or receipt so that you can be reimbursed.
What Factors Influence How Much You Should Tip Movers?
As described above, when coming up with a tip amount you'll want to consider distance moved, time spent, and hoops jumped through (dealing with complex permits or lots of stairs, for example). If you feel the moving team executed a particularly complex move, worked a very long day, or powered through inclement weather to help get your move complete, an extra tip is appreciated, Graber says. Other factors that might drive up a tip include carrying items up multiple floors, navigating difficult terrain or traffic, and handling heavy, fragile and valuable items, Snelson says.
On the flip side, if you’re unhappy with a moving service as the move is happening, talk to the foreman and management to try and resolve issues as they come up. This is better than having a bad move and withholding the tip, both for the homeowners and the movers, Graber says. But in the end, he points out, "if you receive plain lousy service from the team, you are in no way obligated to tip."
How Else Can You Show Appreciation To Movers?
In addition to tips, there's a few more ways you can express your gratitude to movers. "Showing up and giving clear direction, without being overbearing, can go a long way," Snelson says. Offering snacks, water, or meals, especially during long or hot moves, is a thoughtful gesture, too, says Cook. And leaving a positive review online can greatly benefit the company and its employees.
Of course, a thank you goes a long way, too, in acknowledging the movers' hard work, Cook says. But you knew that already, didn't you?
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