Everything to Know About How to Tip Movers

January 26, 2018 / Posted in How-to
Anastasia Hill

Apart from being the next fashion icon, Anastasia is also a freelance writer and expert on moving (and packing clothes).

Relocating is one of the most stressful endeavors we go through in our lives, so it’s natural that many go for professional assistance once the time to move comes. If you are hiring a long-distance moving company for the first time, you’re likely wondering how to tip movers for their service. Let’s explore your options so you know how to act once the relocation day comes.

A woman and professional mover talking
There is a way to figure out how to tip the movers

How to Tip Movers?

If you have decided that you want to reward your relocation team because you’re satisfied with their work, then consider the following. There are no rules set in stone when it comes to tipping. You can give the tip to every member of the crew individually once the relocation is over and you have determined your relocation budget.

If you trust the foreman of the group, you can give the tips to this person and let them divide the money, but keep in mind that this might not happen. So if you want to ensure that everyone gets their fair share, it’s more advisable to give the money to each mover individually.

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How Much Should You Tip?

The question of what to tip movers is another one that can depend on a number of circumstances. It’s common in the service industry to give between 15 and 20 percent of your bill. However, when it comes to relocating a home or an office, people usually give $20 to $50 per mover, depending on how complicated your relocation was to handle.

You should also consider a higher reward in case you are relocating during the holidays and the workers are dealing with your stuff instead of spending time with their families. If you have already found the easiest way to pack everything up and only needed your items safely shipped, you may want to go with the lower end of tipping.

Tipping $20 to $50 per mover is usually enough

On the other hand, if you’ve booked packing assistance and open or enclosed auto transport in addition to long-distance moving services, it would be appreciated if you could reward them for adapting to your needs. Maybe you will have an entire list of questions to ask movers and specific demands that they can help you with.

Two girls sitting on the floor and chatting while packing
Consider how satisfied you are before you make any decisions

Do You Have to Tip Movers?

This is a difficult question, as the relocation business is part of the service industry, where tipping is considered a must. You may also be wondering why you should tip at all, as you’re paying for their business. Besides, rewarding them with money may not be an option in case you are moving on a budget. However, keep in mind that the relocation process is very hard to handle, and making a mistake when relocating can be much more detrimental than a mistake made by a clumsy waiter.

So, remember that you’re putting your beloved belongings in the hands of these trained professionals. Relocation isn’t an easy job, as you will probably know yourself if you’ve ever moved on your own. You aren’t under any obligation to offer extra cash, of course, but if you’re satisfied with the service provided, it will be greatly appreciated. Put yourself in their shoes, after a day of hard work and dedication to the safety of your items.

Tipping Adds an Incentive for Movers to Work Harder

No matter how professional they are, cross-country movers are just human beings. Ordinary people. Cash earned by moving is a hard one, and every extra token of appreciation can help. A good mover who gets a tip will certainly give more than an ordinary professional approach, thus becoming a great mover.

In case you are still having second thoughts, just ask yourself have you ever filled the cargo hold of a moving truck by yourself and had a great time doing it. If the answer is no, that should clear things up. If you are not able to give a few bucks, you should at least provide snacks and water. That way, you show that you care, and they will care more, too.

Things to Consider Before Tipping Movers

You may be in two minds whether or not you should leave a reward. There are some things you can consider before you decide. Overall, you should look at the quality of the service provided and if you’re satisfied with how the crew handled the job.

Was the team acting professional and did they treat your items with care? Did they arrive on schedule, or were the movers late for the job? Did they handle the relocation without wasting any time? Some dishonest companies who are paid by the hour often employ time-wasting tactics, so you should keep this in mind.

It doesn’t hurt to watch how the relocation crew is handling your items. Have they done their best to make sure that your belongings are waiting for you undamaged at your new home? If you think that they did a good job at the end of the day, then consider giving them a reward for their hard work.

Last but not least, there’s a good chance that you’ll be working with two different moving crews if you are moving to a new state. This begs the question of do you give tips to the teams on both ends, and the answer lies with your chosen moving and auto transport company.

Cross-country movers loading a truck
The reward for the hard work is great, loading a truck is not easy

What’s the Best Time to Do It?

Once you’ve decided that you’d like to show your appreciation, you’ll be wondering when to actually do it. If you’d like to give the workers some encouragement before they get started with the unloading, you can promise them a reward once the work is done.

Of course, if you have hired a relocation company like Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving to take care of everything for you, they should be dedicated to the move from the get-go. But it won’t hurt if they know that tips will be awaiting them at the end of the day.

Pros and Cons of Leaving a Tip Before or After the Move

It’s almost always for the best to give them the money once the job is done, as you can decide how much to give them based on the quality of the work. Like mentioned before, you can tell the workers that they’ll be getting tips when they’re finished. On the other hand, if you’d like to give them some more incentive to make sure that your stuff is safely shipped, you can give them a part of the reward before they even get started.

The trouble with ‘after the move’ approach, especially when cross-country moving, is that you will probably have one crew loading the truck and another waiting at the destination. Try to find out that information in advance, so you can plan accordingly. All people will tell you that the help of the long-distance movers is a great thing, so don’t miss an opportunity to show your appreciation with a tip.

A pile of dollar bills
Offer a reward only after the job is done

Leave a Review as a Way to Show Your Appreciation

This is a very useful piece of advice if you’d like to show that you’re satisfied with a job well done. It’s not necessarily a replacement for tipping, but it means going the extra mile if you’re trying to save money when moving and just don’t have the means. A positive review can make a big difference for others who are looking for a reliable relocation company. So if you’d like to thank the company, consider making an effort to leave a positive feedback and keep them in business.

A girl working on a laptop
Leaving a good feedback doesn’t take a lot of time, but it can mean a lot

Book a Reliable Company and Have a Stress-Free Relocation

As you can see, deciding how and what to tip movers, as well as whether to show any gratuity at all, is a lot more complex than it may seem at first glance. If you’re not sure whether to reward the crew for their efforts, the simplest guideline is to look at your overall satisfaction with their work, as well as the size of the workload.

Finding a good moving and car shipping company that can meet and exceed all your relocation needs is not always easy, but with the team behind Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving, you have nothing to worry about. Organizing a move can be very complex, but with us there to guide the relocation preparations, you won’t have to deal with any relocation stress. Contact us today if you want to have a simple and efficient move.

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