Should You Tip Your Movers?

When moving day comes around, you might find yourself running around, flustered, and trying to keep all of your items organized and ready for your moving company when they arrive. Additionally, if you have children or pets to take into account, you can end up overwhelmed and might easily forget to prepare a tip for your moving crew. However, is it customary to tip moving crews? The idea of tipping your movers is not discussed very much and can leave many wondering whether they should tip at all, and if they should, how much to tip movers. 

So it is customary to tip movers? How much is the right amount to show appreciation for their hard work? We’ve got everything you need to know about tipping movers so you’re prepared come moving day. 

Are You Supposed to Tip Movers?

Let’s get the most basic part of the equation out of the way before we start delving deeper – it’s not required to tip your movers, but it is always appreciated. Though it’s optional to tip your moving crew, keep in mind that they’ve put in a lot of work to make sure your items are moved safely and efficiently on your moving day and have been working in oppressive heat or excessive cold to do so. 

Many don’t talk about the prospect of tipping movers, so you’re not alone in wondering whether or not it’s the norm to do so. Some moving companies may also not allow it or might have different rules depending on whether they use in-house moving professionals or contract out or hire outside moving professionals to help with your move. However, if you’re moving with Carey Moving & Storage, you’ll always receive top-of-the-line service from our in-house moving professionals. We also allow our moving crews to be tipped so they can benefit from the appreciation of our customers for their hard work. 

When deciding whether or not to tip your movers, consider the items your movers have transported for you, how much time they’ve spent with you, and how many awkward or bulky pieces of furniture or household items you might have. Additionally, consider whether or not they’ve taken care of all of your packing and organization for you, or if you’ve taken care of a good amount of the moving process yourself. Regardless, though tipping is optional, it is appreciated, so show your moving crews some extra thanks once your things are loaded up and ready to go!

How Much to Tip Movers?

Now that we’ve established the norm when it comes to tipping your movers, you’re now faced with how much to tip your crew. Many individuals are accustomed to tipping based on a percentage of their total bill, typically falling within the range of 15% to 20%. However, this method isn’t as suitable when it comes to tipping movers. The overall cost of your move may not accurately reflect the time and effort expended in loading and unloading your belongings, and you’ll likely have multiple individuals to tip.

Instead, it’s advisable to base your tip on the number of hours the moving crew spends working. A general guideline is to tip $5 to $10 per mover per hour. For instance, for a half-day move lasting four hours, this translates to $20 to $40 per person, while for a full day’s work of eight hours, it amounts to $40 to $80 per mover. Assuming a team of four movers, your total tip could range from $80 to $320.

No matter how much you’re tipping your moving crew or how many services you’re using, making sure you’re working with the right moving company is imperative for your relocation. Carey Moving & Storage will set you up for success and provide you with the best service and moving experience possible.