The question of tipping often concerns clients. Nobody wants to come off as rude, but at the same time, overpaying isn’t something anyone looks forward to.
The internet is filled with articles discussing “common practices” and “tipping standards in the moving industry,” mentioning 15-20% and similar figures.
As a mover with years of experience, I’ll tell you: all that is complete nonsense. There are no set standards, nor can there be, as every move is unique and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
However, there are a few details to pay attention to, and I’ll tell you about them.
The Key is to Start Right
Let’s start with what’s important to you as a client: ensuring that your belongings are transported to the new location intact, on time, and without any damage to the items themselves or the property.
I’ll be honest, not all movers are sufficiently motivated; for some, it’s just a side job, and they care about your belongings as much as you do.
Therefore, I recommend directly warning them at the beginning of the move. Without any hints or ambiguous phrases. “Guys, I take great care of my belongings and property, and I ask you to do the same, to be a bit more responsible and careful than on other moves. I will sincerely appreciate this. And right before we start our move, I will reinforce my gratitude with some tip.”
After that, you hand each mover a banknote (we’ll discuss the appropriate amount for the tip a bit later). That’s it. At this point, a sort of social contract has been established; you’ve outlined your expectations and your readiness to reward them. They’ve heard you and won’t have to guess whether they’ll receive a tip by the end of the job.
From my experience, most movers will be grateful for such an approach, will respect your request, and sincerely try to meet your demands.
What to Consider When Deciding How Much to Tip
As I’ve already mentioned, each move is unique, and determining the tip amount based solely on hours wouldn’t be correct. Therefore, pay attention to the following factors:
Complexity of Move
If your relocation involves handling bulky or fragile items, navigating stairs or elevators, requires specific packing techniques, or presents other complications, you might want to think about offering a more generous tip as a sign of appreciation for the extra effort and care involved. Moving services often apply additional charges for these complexities, but tipping your movers is a way to express gratitude for their hard labor and commitment to overcoming these challenges with efficiency.
Quality of Service Provided
Pay attention to the professionalism and the team’s workflow. An experienced team operates smoothly and cohesively. The foreman will proactively clarify and explain all contract details to you, avoiding unnecessary disturbances over minor issues.
You will immediately notice that an experienced team is fully equipped. They are thoroughly prepared, and understand how to disassemble and pack various items correctly. Every mover has a clear role and knows precisely what to do. The operation appears very neat and organized from an outsider’s perspective.
Inside the truck, belongings are securely packed and efficiently arranged. Engaging a professional team can genuinely save you time and money.
If you notice that the movers are not working cohesively, constantly taking smoke breaks, struggling for a long time with certain tasks, or asking you for basic tools, it’s clear they have not approached the preparation for the job responsibly, and your decision on tipping should be reconsidered.
Final Moving Cost
Be sure to pay attention to the final cost and how much it differs from the estimate. If you didn’t request additional services during the move and there were no unforeseen circumstances, the final amount shouldn’t vary by more than 10%. If the total is very close to the estimate, it means the movers worked honestly.
Type of Service Provided
Another factor to consider is the service you receive. For example, if you are moving a long distance and have different teams of movers for loading and unloading, you can tip them separately at the end of each task. However, if the same team is with you for the entire long-distance move, you can give them a larger tip at the very end.
Final Impression
Listen to your gut feeling at the end of the move. If the entire process went smoothly, the movers unloaded everything, placed items in your new home, and unpacked them carefully, and you felt calm and comfortable throughout the process, then take this as a positive signal to increase the tip amount.
Now, about the numbers
Tipping isn’t mandatory, but movers will be very grateful if you decide to leave a tip. The average wage for a helper is currently between $15-20 per hour, varying by state and city.
You can calculate the tip amount based on the number of hours worked. Giving $5 per hour per person is an average tip that movers usually receive. For a move that lasts ten hours, this would amount to $50 per person.
If you wish to generously reward the team, consider $10 per hour per person. And if you feel the crew deserves exceptional gratitude, you might go as high as $15 per hour per person or more.
Avoid giving very small tips, such as $1 or $5. It’s better not to tip at all, as such amounts can come across as disrespectful from your side.