The first thing to know is that quality movers do not expect or a require a tip. However, it’s good etiquette to tip movers. The amounts can vary, from $10 per man for a half-day move to $20 per man for a full-day move, plus extra if your move was particularly large or difficult.
In some cases, people will simply take 5% to 10% of their entire moving cost, and then use that to tip each mover. As Good Greek Moving & Storage says, “Tipping is not required, but it’s always appreciated.”
Why Tip Movers?
Moving is a hassle, there are no two ways about it. But if you’ve hired a good residential mover, then they are going to make a lot of that hassle disappear. That’s a good thing. So why not tip them for helping make your life a little easier, especially once they done a good job?
How Should I Tip Movers?
Typically, you want to hand out the tips in cash to each individual who helped with the move, not just hand it all to the foreman. That shows respect and appreciation for a job well done. In some cases, clients will offer cold drinks to the crew, especially on a hot summer’s day. While that’s a kind and appropriate thing to do, it doesn’t really take the place of a tip.
How Much To Tip?
This is the big question, and really there is no right answer. Handing each crew member a $20 bill when the move is over is almost always going to be a fine choice. That makes it easy for you to hand out and keep track off.
Some people may go with just $10 if it was a short move.
On the other end of the spectrum, some moves are simply more difficult. That might lead you to offer a bit more for a tip. For example, your move might include:
- The careful crating and uncrating of very expensive artwork
- Spiral staircases
- Huge homes with many rooms
- Having to travel up and down a lot of stairs
- Large furniture or just many large items
Also, movers may do the job faster than you thought, or deal with what you thought would be a huge problem quickly and efficiently. Whatever the case, you can consider offering more for a tip, say $40 per person or a set percentage of the total move cost divided and shared with all the movers.
There’s no absolute figure that everyone uses to tip movers. However, it’s also certain that tipping people who do a good job and make your move that much easier is proper etiquette and very much appreciated.
For more tips on owning property and homes, check out our blog!
