With tipping culture’s prominence in the U.S., many people know to tip their servers or barbers. But should you tip professional movers? It’s not easy to know which professions require a tip and which don’t. In some industries, tips are expected. In others, they aren’t as crucial.
Today, we’ll discuss when and how much to tip movers so you can be prepared before your next move, whether you’ve sold your home or are buying a new one.
Should you tip movers?
Whether you should tip movers is up to you. Tipping your movers can show your appreciation for their hard work and service. Generally, it’s recommended to tip non-essential workers when they’ve performed their job to your standards or better. However, tipping culture varies from region to region, and not every culture handles tipping the same. Depending on your location, tipping may be expected. For others, it could seem rude.
However, in the U.S., tipping hired professional movers is generally a good way to show your appreciation for a job well done.
When should you tip your movers?
If you’re wondering when you should or shouldn’t tip your movers, we’ve covered some things to consider.
When the move is particularly tricky
If you hire a moving service to transport items that are generally considered difficult to move, you may want to tip your movers.
Items that can be difficult to move:
- Fragile items
- Heavy items
- Expensive pieces
- A large amount of boxes or items
If you hired movers to help you move a grand piano, for example, which is both fragile and heavy, you might want to tip your movers once your item has been successfully transported. Or, if your movers are transporting multiple trucks’ worth of items or several large items, such as couches and sofas or several beds and bedroom sets, you might consider adding a tip.
When the movers go above and beyond your expectations
Another factor that might influence whether you tip your movers is if they go above and beyond your expectations. It’s fair to say most people expect their items to be moved quickly without any damage. However, your movers might go above and beyond to ensure your property is safe by using extra moving precautions. Or, perhaps they move your items faster than you expect or make the entire process hassle free on your end. These are just some examples of going above and beyond, but this factor will ultimately have to be decided based on your own judgment.
How much should you tip movers?
The amount that you tip your movers is up to you. You’ll have to consider what is reasonable within your budget as well as what seems like fair compensation for the job. You’ll have to consider the service you got and judge how well you think your movers did based on the factors we listed above.
By percentage
It’s fairly normal to tip professional movers anywhere from 5% to 20%. While 20% is the average for restaurants or servers in most places, it can be a little high when it comes to moving. This is due to the amount of money it costs to pay for the move itself. Additionally, movers might make more hourly pay than a server. However, you can still tip your movers 20% if you feel they excelled at their job.
By flat amount
Another way you can tip your movers is by a flat amount. Some homeowners set aside $50 or $100 for their movers. You can base the tip on the overall cost of your move and the factors we listed above detailing when you should tip your movers more. The flat amount will vary depending on the homeowner and their situation.
Factors to consider when tipping your movers
Before you finalize your tip, there are a few additional factors you’ll need to consider when tipping movers.
How difficult was the move?
First, as mentioned above, ask yourself, how difficult was the move? You may want to tip more if it was a difficult, time-consuming, or long-distance move or if it presented challenges. If the move was straightforward, simple, and easy, you might not tip at all.
Was gratuity already included?
While it’s uncommon for gratuity to be added ahead of the move, it isn’t outside the realm of possibility. If gratuity was factored in when you signed the paperwork with the company, you may not need to add an additional tip.
How many movers were there?
Consider how many movers worked for your move if you decide to tip based on a flat amount. If you tip $100 flat for five movers, each person would receive $20. If that’s reasonable in your opinion, you can keep your tip amount. Otherwise, you may need to adjust the sum in accordance with the number of people providing this service for you.
Whether you tip your movers or not, it’s generally a great way to show your appreciation for their service. Additionally, you don’t have to tip your movers if you don’t want to. If you choose to pay a gratuity, follow our tips on what to consider to know when to offer a little extra cash.
