Do you tip movers?
So, you’re wondering if you need to tip your movers. You’re already paying for moving services. Are you expected to tip, too? The short answer is yes.
Movers are part of the service industry. And their jobs are hard work. Think about it: moving is a physically demanding job that requires teamwork, organization and on top of all of that, exceptional customer service skills.
Consider this… do you tip at a restaurant? Sure, you don’t have to, but for a job well done, it is undeniably the right thing to do. The same ethos applies to tipping your movers.
How much should you tip movers?
Let’s be honest, moving is hard work. That’s likely part of the reason why you chose to hire professional movers in the first place.
Some people tip anywhere from 15% to 20% of the total moving bill. Others may prefer tipping $20-$50 per mover, per day. Some get even more granular and decide to give an hourly tip — perhaps $5-$15 per hour, per mover.
Ultimately, the tip that you end up leaving for your moving crew is up to you. When calculating the final amount, just remember to keep several key factors in mind.
Factors that impact how much you tip movers.
Arriving on time, treating your items with care, working efficiently and safely, and acting professionally are all good reasons to tip your moving team. On top of that, there are some other factors that may constitute tipping your movers a little extra on move day. When it comes time to tip your moving crew, consider these varying factors.
- Did the move take place on or around a holiday? As a courtesy to your movers, be sure to tip extra if they are working on a holiday or a day leading up to a holiday, like Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Eve, for example.
- Were the weather conditions extreme like excessive heat, rain or snow? Moving boxes is expected as part of a mover’s job, but battling the elements can be tough for them. If your movers are working during a summer heatwave or freak winter snow storm, tip them generously.
- Did the moving crew move a lot of heavy items and large furniture? Moving often requires some heavy lifting. But if your move has a lot of big pieces of furniture, hard-to-move or heavy items, consider tipping your movers extra.
- Was there more than one stop during the move? If you’re asking your moving company to make multiple stops during your move — like to an offsite storage unit, for example — adding a little extra onto your tip is appropriate.
- Were there multiple levels or stairs? Tip a little bit more if your move has multiple levels or lots of stairs.
- Did the moving crew take extra care with fragile items? If you had items that required more attention and extra care and they were handled appropriately, consider adding to your tip.
- Were you satisfied with the job or did the moving crew exceed your expectations? If you were impressed by the movers' professionalism, attention to detail, attitude and work ethic, tipping generously can show your appreciation for a job well done.
Related: How much do movers cost?
How to tip movers.
Cash, credit cards, checks — there are a few ways that you can go about tipping your movers on moving day:
- Tip in cash. A cash tip is a common way to tip a moving crew. But before handing over cash, you might want to talk with the crew leader to ensure that this sort of tip aligns with company protocols. Your moving company might have their own policy when it comes down to tips.
- Use a credit card. Larger moving companies often offer a tip option as a line item on your total moving bill. However, mom-and-pop movers and smaller moving companies may not provide this option. In order to avoid any confusion, be sure to plan ahead and ask your moving company if this feature is something that they offer. If the moving company says yes, tipping by credit card not only saves you a trip to the ATM but also ensures that the tip is documented as part of your total moving costs.
- Write a check. Like tipping with a credit card, writing a check ensures that your tip is documented. But before you reach for a pen and your checkbook, ask your moving company if a check is one of their approved forms of tip payment. If you do opt to write a check for a tip, it’s acceptable to write just one and let the moving crew leader distribute the tip among the moving team (if you’re comfortable doing so).
More ways to show your appreciation.
In addition to (not instead of) providing a monetary tip, you can show your appreciation for your moving crew by leaving a positive review for the moving company online. When sitting down to write your review, mention the movers by name and include any detailed information about how the move went. For example, did the moving crew arrive early? Did the moving company go above and beyond when packing special items? If so, leave in those details and consider uploading photos to illustrate the high-quality service you received.
Taking the time to provide your feedback not only benefits your movers, it helps other people who are moving find a top-rated professional moving company. Even better: refer your moving company to a friend, family member or co-worker.
Offering food and drinks to a moving crew is a nice thing to do, especially if it is a full-day move. But a homemade sandwich or glass of cold lemonade is not a tip. So while providing lunch and snacks is a nice gesture, you will still need to factor in a tip amount in your total move cost.
If you do choose to provide food or drinks during your move, be sure to ask your movers what they would like to eat before you make that decision for yourself. (Not everyone likes pineapple on their pizza as much as you do.) And find out if there are any allergies or dietary restrictions. When providing refreshments, consider the weather conditions and the type of beverages that you supply, too.
Moving is a hard, physically demanding job and having water around ensures that the moving crew stays hydrated throughout the day. So as a courtesy, always have water available — especially when it’s hot outside. A water station with a jug of water and paper cups works just fine. Or, you could set out a cooler stocked with chilled water bottles. Moving is a hard, physically demanding job and having water around ensures that the moving crew stays hydrated throughout the day.
Finally, while you may think that it is a nice gesture, don’t offer alcoholic beverages to your moving crew. Doing so could potentially put the movers in an uncomfortable position, and they’re most likely prohibited from drinking while on the job.
Hire movers on Thumbtack today.
Ready to make a move? Wherever you move takes you, you can count on Thumbtack.
Read customer reviews and get quotes from the top-rated movers near you so you can start planning your move today.
