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Tipping is pretty easy when it comes to a cup of coffee or a meal at a restaurant. But what about when someone loads all your belongings onto a truck and moves them to a new home?
“No one ever wants to mention, ‘Hey, if you want to add a tip, here’s how you can do it,'” Adrian Hawtrey of Adam’s Moving Services in Seattle He told me. “Everyone knows that tipping is common, but it’s something that goes unspoken. People who have never hired a mover don’t really know.”
Talking to you can be awkward moving company. That’s why I did it for you. To find out how much people should tip, I called five moving companies and asked them what the average tip looks like, what percentage of customers leave a tip, and the best way to do it.
For more movement tips, learn how plastic rental boxes compare to cardboard ones.
How much should I tip the movers?
Tip your movers between 10% and 20% of the final bill for both local and intercity moves. If your move costs $2,500 and you want to tip 20% for excellent service, be prepared to pay a total of $500 in tips.
However, tipping is very personal and there is no clear dollar amount rule. When I asked five movers what the average tip looks like, I got five different answers:
- 20% of the final bill
- 10% to 20% of the final bill
- $10 to $20 per mover
- $20 per mover
- $40 to $80 per mover for a 10-hour day
“There’s really no hard and fast rule,” said David Cox, president of the Zh. K. Relocation. “There are no expectations, so people shouldn’t feel pressured or obligated to tip. But it’s always appreciated when it happens.”
Give advice to each crew individually
In some moves, you will pay for several different services. If one crew is coming to pack your stuff and another is coming to load it onto the truck, you’ll want to tip both crews. Likewise, if you’re moving long distances and have different crews loading and unloading, tip each crew separately.
Cash is preferred
Most of the movers I spoke to said that money is the most important thing when it comes to tipping. Before moving day begins, you should have some estimate of how much you will tip the movers. Make a trip to the ATM beforehand and get smaller bills if you plan to tip each crew member individually.
Snacks and drinks for the porters are fine, but most prefer cash
Most of the movers I spoke to said it’s always appreciated when snacks and drinks are available – especially during the peak summer moving months. But they are not a substitute for a cash tip.
“It’s appreciated, but honestly, we’re generally willing to work with what we need to get through the day,” Hawtrey said. “A little money goes a long way.”
Things to consider when deciding how much to tip movers
Tipping your movers is similar to tipping anyone else. Weigh how much you can afford against the quality of service they provide.
“As a mover, if people see you work really hard and see the skill and give them friendly service, most people will want to tip well,” said Kyle of Easy company relocation. “If you break something or are late, you probably won’t get tipped.”
Here are some factors you can consider:
- Heavy objects: Some moving companies charge a surcharge for items over 300 pounds, but it doesn’t always go to the people doing the heavy lifting. If they don’t get paid extra, it’s a good idea to include that in your tip.
- Movers who go the extra mile: If your movers are particularly friendly or conscientious with your belongings, you can say thanks with a bigger tip.
- Timeliness: Your movers should give you a schedule of when they will arrive and how long you can expect the move to take. You may want to consider reducing your tip if they deviate significantly from this timeline.
- Difficult conditions: It is not easy to move heavy furniture around narrow staircases or in the pouring rain. If there are circumstances that make the move more challenging, consider including them in your advice.
- Take care of your belongings: The number one priority for movers is to safely transport your belongings from point A to point B. If you notice that movers are careless with your belongings, you may decide to reduce the tip.
What percentage of moving customers tip?
Most of the movers I spoke to emphasized that they do not automatically expect a tip. However, most customers tip the movers.
“It’s a pretty high percentage of people who tip, maybe 80% to 90%,” Kyle of Easy Company Moving told me. Another mover put the percentage at 75% or more.
For context, this is roughly the same as percent of people who tip their waiter or waitress (78%), but more so than Uber and Lyft drivers (25%), restaurant counter workers (21%) or baristas (13%).
Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping Your Movers
Should I tip each mover individually or a crew?
Both options are good. If a crew member has gone above and beyond, it’s fine to tip them personally. You can also give the entire tip to the foreman and he will split it with his team.
Do I need to provide lunch for the movers?
You do not need to provide lunch for your movers. Moving companies plan to provide enough food and drinks during the day for their workers. It’s nice to tip — especially during the hot summer months — but it’s no substitute for a cash tip.
Is it rude not to tip the movers?
Most of the moves I talked to said that tipping is not an expectation, but it happens in about 80% of the moves. Unless there are issues like late starts or damaged items, adding a tip is a good way to say thanks for a job well done.
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