A COMPLETE GUIDE TO TIPPING MOVERS : WHEN, HOW MUCH AND MORE
It's time to move! You've prepared your belongings and are prepared to leave. You have a group of accommodating professional movers ready to help you move to your new home, and you have your boxes labeled.
You might be wondering if leaving a gratuity for your movers is appropriate if they make your life easier and transfer you pleasantly. They may have handled anything from delicate dishware to huge entertainment centers, as well as made sure the large screen TV survived the move without any damage.
Is it appropriate to tip movers that provide excellent service? Absolutely. Although it's not necessary to tip when moving, it can be quite helpful if you do so if you're working with a seasoned moving crew and they help to make the process less stressful.
WHAT RATE OF TIP DO PEOPLE GIVE MOVERS?
It's customary to leave tips at eateries and beauty parlors. People typically have a rule of thumb for tipping in these instances, like giving their server 15 to 20% of the total cost, because they frequently eat out or get their hair done.
Moving is a much less common occurrence for most individuals than dining out or getting a new hairstyle. You might be unsure of whether to tip your movers or how much to tip them because it's an uncommon occurrence.
You must choose the appropriate tip amount because it is not required to give gratuities to movers. You have the option of giving your movers a fixed rate or a percentage of the whole moving expense as a tip.
As a general rule, tip between 5 and 10 percent of the entire relocation fee, or $4 to $5 per hour, for each mover. For instance, if you are budgeting $1,000 for your relocation, you might tip between $50 and $100 and distribute it equally among the moving team.
WHAT DETERMINANTS SHOULD I TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN DETERMINING HOW MUCH TO TIP MY MOVERS?
Different people may tip movers differently based on a variety of moving-related considerations, such as:
How well-prepared you are before they arrive. Your movers will be quite grateful if you easily arrange and identify all of your boxes for them. You can think about giving the movers a little extra money if they go above and above to cooperate with you and place unlabeled boxes in the appropriate rooms. (Need assistance planning your move? Utilize our relocation checklist template.
The environment. Who like moving in the blazing heat, in the rain, or on the cold ground? You might want to think about tipping your movers for a job well done under trying circumstances.
Whether they will box your belongings. Along with their standard moving services, some moving firms also offer packing services. Don't forget to tip the packers who ensure that your LEGO Millennium Falcon is expertly bubble-wrapped and that your collector coffee mugs arrive securely. You could remember to tip the movers.
How many hours they spend working alongside you on-site. A typical move for a 3-bedroom home could take 7 to 10 hours. Did you go more slowly than you expected? When did your movers say they'd be home by mid-afternoon, and are they still there at dinnertime? You are not required to tip them if the reason for the delays in the relocation is that they are going slowly. A gratuity, nevertheless, could be very appreciated if they're working hard and putting in more time than was anticipated.
Whether they are bringing or taking away things. A sectional couch needs to be moved with a lot of strength and dexterity to an upstairs game room. Your movers are saving you several hours of labor by making multiple journeys up and down stairs to relocate your belongings. Because of the additional time and effort required to climb all those stairs, you might want to consider leaving a slightly larger tip.
How many big objects will be transported. A typical 1,000 square foot apartment's furnishings weigh more than 5,000 pounds, claims Zillow. That requires a lot of exertion! Moving a grand piano, 12 crates of books, and two antique china cabinets is a lot of hard lifting! Think about the additional time and labor you would have to put in to move and install those oversized objects yourself, as well as how much time and labor you are saving.
Additionally, you can decide to tip movers based on intangibles, such as how polite and kind they are to your family or whether they go above and beyond to make the move simpler for your children.
CONSIDERING THE SIZE OF MY HOME AND THE DISTANCE OF MY MOVE, SHOULD I TIP MY MOVERS MORE?
Depending on the type of relocation you're doing, the tips you provide your movers may change. In terms of experience and cost, an intra-city move can be very different from a cross-country move.
You might tip more if you reside in a large or multi-story house because the movers will have to climb more stairs and traverse more distance. In this case, it might be appropriate to tip a portion of the overall move cost.
Tipping might become quite expensive very quickly if you're moving across the country because you're likely spending more overall. In this situation, giving the drivers and movers in charge of the process a flat tip might make sense. To determine how many personnel will be involved in your move, speak with your moving company and make appropriate plans.
IF I GIVE THE MOVERS A TIP, WHEN SHOULD I DO SO?
Depending on the type of move you've ordered, when you tip your movers may vary.
Tipping When Traveling Interstate
The folks who pack your belongings for a cross-country relocation might not be the same people who transport them to your new home. Additionally, the unloading personnel at your new location can be different.
Instead of waiting to tip only the final crew in this scenario, it could make more sense to give your movers a specific amount for each team that handles your belongings.
Tipping for a Local Move
You can tip at any stage of a local move if you're organizing one. Many individuals prefer to wait until the end of the day to make sure the move is finished to their satisfaction, while some people tip early in the day to give the movers more incentive.
To keep everyone's spirits high throughout the day, some people also opt to perform various non-cash tips. For instance, offering food or snacks, water, or sports drinks can literally keep everyone moving forward!
Our movers enjoy getting the day started off right with their customers as well, so they frequently bring their own special snacks to get the relocation off to a good start.
CAN I USE A CREDIT CARD TO TIP MOVERS?
What should you do if you are pleased with your movers and want to reward them but when you reach for your wallet there is no cash inside? You might be wondering if you can genuinely tip your movers using a credit card because it's getting less and less normal for people to carry cash and more and more frequent for them to utilize credit cards.
If you work with a moving firm, you might be able to get information regarding their credit card policies by getting in touch with the regional headquarters. You might be allowed to tip your movers, for instance, by asking your moving firm to make a separate transaction just for that purpose. It might be useful to record the tip via your credit card transaction if your move is being paid for as a corporate relocation fee or if you want to mention it as a company expense.
Moving can be a difficult process, but a top-notch moving crew can help reduce your stress and ease your transition. Any way you choose to express your gratitude to the excellent team that is assisting you in your move will be well received.
Snacks on hand and cash tips for moving are two excellent methods to recognize movers that perform above and beyond. The best complement you can give your Next Step Moving movers is a reference to your friends and family if they offer excellent service. They can begin their own movements off on the right foot by sharing our free estimate form with them.
Ready to for your next step? Arrange a free estimate, call us at 715-450-4473 or email us at information@nextstepmovingec.com