How Much Should You Tip Movers?

When planning a move, you have already hired a moving company and have a specific amount in mind to pay them. 

But have you ever wondered how much you should tip the movers by the end of your move? 

Is it $50, $100, or more?

Well, a good rule of thumb for calculating your movers’ tip is to give 10%-20% of the total billing amount.

The tip amount can vary based on the duration of the movers’ shift, whether it’s a half-day move (4 hours) or a full-day move (8 hours). It can range from $20 to $60 per mover. If it is a local move, the tipping amount can range from $20 to $30 per mover.

Appreciating the efforts shows kindness, especially when your moving crew makes your journey a breeze. This thoughtful gesture stays with them for a long time.

However, you do not need to break the bank while doing so. 

This article touches on the best tipping practices you can adopt, the significant factors to consider while tipping movers, and the tipping amount calculations.

Tipping Culture – How it is Evolving?

Tipping is a social norm, a good gesture towards someone’s exceptional service. While the tipping culture is quite common in the hospitality industry, it is growing fast across other industries such as moving, online food delivery, salons, etc. 

The standard 15% tip also increases to higher tipping percentages, leading to Tipflation. It refers to the rising tipping amounts people now pay for the goods and services they render. 

5 Factors to Consider While Tipping Professional Movers

Moving is not a one-size-fits-all journey. It is different and unique for everyone, and the same is true of tipping. To ensure you tip appropriately and fairly, it’s essential to consider various aspects of the service provided. 

Here are the factors that will influence your tipping amount – 

1. Oversized or Fragile Items

If your move involves a lot of boxes labeled as “fragile” or has oversized items, the movers have to take additional care of those items.

Some companies offer specialty moving services for moving your valuables and heavy furniture, such as art, pianos, antiques, appliances, media consoles, etc. 

If you see your movers handling your valuable items with utmost care or lifting a hefty piece of furniture without damage, you should consider tipping them generously.

The ideal tip for heavy lifting can range between $30 and $40 per mover. 

2. Exceptional Services Need a Nice Gesture

If your local moving company gives you above-and-beyond services, it is a no-brainer to tip them higher. Quality moving services include proper packing and wrapping, loading, transportation, and unloading, and a friendly moving attitude of movers. 

Every mover has a room-by-room packing checklist, which makes the process easy to track. However, you should observe how adaptable your movers are when you need extra help. 

For example, dressers, washers and dryers, bookshelves, and dining tables require proper assembly and disassembly of furniture for smooth transit.

Your tipping amount should increase when your movers offer the same, showing cooperation and efficiency. 

On the contrary, you can avoid tipping if you aren’t satisfied after the move, mainly if you see poor furniture handling, worn and ripped upholstery, or broken glass items. 

3. Moving Long Distances vs. Local Moves

Your local move will require less effort and travel time than a cross-country, cross-state, or province move.

When moving long distances, the movers offer additional support and care to ensure the safe delivery of items in proper condition to your new territory.

In such cases, you can tip your movers slightly more than your local move, appreciating their efforts of going the extra mile. 

4. Navigating Difficult Conditions 

On days when external factors hinder your moving process, boost your movers’ morale by encouraging them, showing empathy, and, more importantly, tipping them generously. 

When moving to a condo, you realize that the hallways are narrow, your apartment has tight corners, and there are long flights of stairs.

More so, it rains or snows heavily on your move-in day. During such uncontrollable situations, appreciate your movers for smoothly navigating the move and tip them above average, roughly $50-$100.  

5. How Well Your Movers Behave

Your movers’ behavior depends on their punctuality, efficiency, and respect for you and your belongings. 

If your movers do not arrive on time, you can lower your tipping amount for arriving late. Similarly, tip slightly less to the movers who slack and do not show great efficiency and speed during packing and moving.

Refrain from tipping them in severe cases where they are rude to you or damage your belongings. 

Tipping Practices: Knowing When to Tip Less and When to Tip More to Moving Team

Tipping a mover is customary but not mandatory. The time, effort, and money required to move a house or commercial office can be significant. Amidst all these expenditures, tipping your movers should not burden you or your wallet. 

Understanding when to tip less and when to tip more can help you show appreciation without overextending your budget.

Here’s a list of scenarios to help you decipher whether to tip graciously or lower your tips – 

You should Tip More to the Moving Crew Because – 

• Your movers took care of your bulky items, ensured safe delivery, and packed your valuables safely. 
• Your movers were punctual, adaptable, friendly, and respectful. 
• Your movers helped you with the assembly and disassembly of furniture.
• Your movers were systematic and made your move smooth without confusion or chaos. 

You should Tip Less to the Moving Crew Because – 

• Your movers arrive late, get a smaller truck, or don’t get the right moving equipment. 
• Your movers lack speed, lift or handle your furniture inappropriately, or overwrap items. 
• You see your movers working half-heartedly, or you are micro-managing them. 
• You realize that your movers did not handle your fragile items carefully, and there’s breakage and damage. Please note that certain things moving companies won’t move, such as hazardous materials, firearms, and pets. 

3 Ways To Tip Movers 

Now that we have discovered the factors and circumstances that impact your tipping amount, it’s time to determine how you tip your movers. Fundamentally, there are three ways: cash, credit cards, and ordering food for the crew.

While tipping through cash and credit cards is the most common way of appreciating your movers’ hard work, some people also show appreciation beyond monetary tips.

Besides money, you can provide refreshments, give positive reviews, or simply buy your movers a wholesome lunch. 

1. Tipping in Cash

Tipping movers is at your discretion. If your movers were exceptional with their service, tipping in cash shows you appreciate their professionalism and efforts. 

Tipping 10% of the total invoice is considered a reasonable tip. The tip then gets divided among the moving crew, leaving $40-50 per mover. 

How much do you tip for a local move vs a long-distance move based on their service?

2. Tipping through Credit Card

Unlike cash, movers receive their credit card tips at a later date. Tipping through a credit card is also an option when you don’t have enough cash to give out immediately.

All you need to do is calculate the tipping amount, sign the bill (invoice), and write “tip” so they know it’s separate from the total bill. It’s an easy and flexible way of tipping your movers. 

3. Tipping Alternatives

Short on cash? 

There are a few other alternatives for tipping your movers. Offering them lunch is an excellent way to show appreciation and boost their spirits after a tiring move. 

Let them know in advance so they don’t buy their meals during the break. You can treat them to pizzas, pasta, burrito bowls, or any other meal you think they’d enjoy.

This gesture not only shows that you care but also provides them with a well-deserved break and a hearty meal.

Are you thinking of tipping movers a beer? 

Think again! 

Since movers drive commercial vehicles, tipping them with alcohol is not a good idea. It can put them at risk. Moreover, movers come from professional moving companies. They are also accountable for many workplace rules that limit them from indulging in illicit activities during their shifts. 

Final Thoughts 

So far, we have learned that there’s no hell-bent rule on tipping. However, you should tip the person reasonably if you have received outstanding moving services.

Tipping is showing gratitude and appreciation for the efforts of your movers, going beyond transporting your belongings from one point to another.

Diligently observe how they pack, wrap your valuables, load, and unload your household items.

Don’t hesitate to tip them if you see they are proficient, well-mannered, and careful when handling your belongings. Above all, you can calculate your tips based on your move’s duration, distance, and complexity. 

Are you looking for relocation services to help you navigate your upcoming move? Sit back and let the experts at Let’s Get Moving take over. Whether planning a condo move, or a commercial move, you get dedicated, well-trained movers who meet all your moving needs. 

FAQs

1. Can I give $100 as a tip to the movers?

A $100 tip is an overgenerous tip. However, if your moving cost exceeds $2000 or if there are more than two movers involved, a $100 tip is considered good.

Not to forget, you can tip your movers $100 if there is a long flight of stairs, bad weather conditions, or heavy lifting.

2. Is $30 a good tip for professional movers?

Yes, for a basic move involving shorter distances, a $30 tip is considered reasonable for a local move. A basic move involves the mover only transporting your furniture from one house to another.

Other services like packing, storage, or specialty moving are not included here. 

3. Is $60 a good tip for professional movers?

A $60 tip is appropriate for movers who help you move long distances. They also help you assemble and disassemble furniture, lift bulky items, move valuables like pianos, or wrap fragile items cautiously. 

4. How much should you tip for a $3000 move? 

Apply a standard tipping percentage of 10%. Your tipping amount for a $3000 move will come to $300. This amount is sufficient when there are 3-4 movers. The tip further divides among the moving crew members, leaving about $75-$100 per mover. 

5. Is it rude when you don’t tip your movers?

No, tipping is a subjective concept. It is traditional but optional. If you are dissatisfied with the quality of service your movers provide—such as being deliberately slow or ill-mannered—you are under no obligation to tip them.

Additionally, it is perfectly acceptable to forgo tipping if you have a limited moving budget.

6. How much to tip movers in Canada?

Your tipping amount can vary based on the duration. For example, you can tip your movers $20-$30 for a half-day (4 hours) move and $40-$60 for a full-day (8 hours) move.