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What Should You Tip Movers

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Executive Realty 91362

How Much Should I Tip The Moving Company?

It is accepted practice to tip in many circumstances, whether you have received great service or not. Movers have a difficult job, but should you tip them? Is it expected, and how much should you tip? Quite a large percentage of people search how much to tip a mover. Over at Maximum Real Estate Exposure, you'll see an in-depth guide.

Keep reading, and you'll see a quick summary of some of the things to think about before shelling out a tip to a moving company. Use the advice, so you know how much to set aside for tipping.

Do You Need to Tip Movers?

Your movers will probably not assume you are going to give them a tip. If they have provided excellent service to you, and you have the money to do so, tipping movers is something that will be very appreciated for their hard work.

If you feel that they have done extra well, and gone further to protect your possessions, a tip is an excellent way to recognize this level of service.

How Much Should You Tip Movers?

How much you spend on tips will depend on the money you have available and the service they have given to you. Moving things in a house is an expensive process, so if you don't have much money available to tip the movers, you shouldn't feel bad about it.

  • For half a days moving about $20 per mover
  • For a full days move, consider giving $40 each
  • For longer moving jobs tip around $5 per hour

You could scale this as you see fit, with more if the move was complicated and challenging. Less if there have been problems that could have been avoided.

Picking a Time to Tip

If you choose to encourage your movers by telling them that you are going to tip if they do well, this could lead to them performing better. This is a situation that could become uncomfortable, however, and it could just be better to tip when the work has been completed.

If you do decide to tip the movers, give the money individually rather than just handing it to the foreman. You have no way of knowing if the money will be divided up equally by the foreman, and this way, you can thank the movers at the same time for their effort.

Remember how you want the moving tip dispersed should be up to you, not the moving company.

Reasons to Tip Your Movers

Recognizing that your movers have done well is an indication that they deserve a tip. If, for example, you have seen them taking special care of your delicate items and also making the experience a pleasant one for your family. This should encourage you to give them extra thanks for their help.

Perhaps they have had to move furniture through difficult doorways or up too many flights of stairs. If they have gone out of their way to help you assemble furniture or completed the move faster than you expected, these are more valuable reasons to offer extra thanks.

Pro tip: there are companies that will remove things from your house that you don't want anymore for free! Maybe you have some furniture, clothes, or other household goods? Donating to a charitable organization is a great way to get rid of things you don't need anymore. You will be putting a smile on someone's face in the process.

There are companies that specialize in taking furniture donations as well.

Reasons to Not Tip

If the experience hasn't been a pleasurable one, you shouldn't feel obliged to tip the movers. Perhaps they arrived late or damaged possessions or your house while moving furniture. The moving company should be treating your belongings like they are their own. Sometimes this doesn't happen for whatever reason.

You need to take things into consideration before you decide not to tip. When moving items in a large house, the chance of the odd possession being damaged is reasonably high.

If this does, unfortunately, happen how did the movers react to deal with the situation? You may conclude that they still did a great job or reduce the amount you tip them based on this.

How to Tip for Long-Distance Moves?

More complicated moves can be more difficult to tip for. Your long-distance move may involve two different crews, with only the driver staying the same. This will mean that you need to remember to tip when the crew has emptied your house, as you will likely only be seeing the driver again.

If you were thinking of offering a percentage of the moving costs, instead of an hourly rate, this could quickly become overly expensive for a long-distance move. Better to follow our guide than try to stick to a percentage in those circumstances.

Other Things You Can Do to Show Gratitude

There are different ways to show your appreciation to your movers besides tipping them. Moving is a tough physical job, so on a hot day, offer them cold drinks or perhaps a coffee in the morning if they are starting early.

Snacks can also be very appreciated by your movers, but you should probably stop short of buying them alcohol. It will only lead to an increased likelihood of accidents, and you could get them in trouble with their boss. Buying lunch is another excellent idea. Purchasing a few large pizzas is a great way to feed quite a few hungry mouths.

The final way you can thank your movers is to leave a positive comment online. If you feel you have received excellent service, let others know and reward your movers through your feedback.

Final Thoughts on Tipping Movers

The last call on whether or not you should tip a mover is up to you, as is the amount of the tip. Using some of the tips we have provided on giving a gratuity to movers is a great place to start.

Other Valuable Real Estate Resources

Want more excellent real estate guidance? See helpful resources on some of the more common things that come up in a house sale.

  • When is the deposit due when buying a home - are you going to be purchasing your first house? One of the things that lots of buyers wonder is how much of a deposit they will need to come up with and when it will be due. The article gives a detailed overview of what you need to know about earnest money deposits.
  • What to know about home inspections - whether you are buying or selling a house it is essential to understand the process of a home inspection. See an excellent checklist of what to expect from a home inspection. The home inspection unnecessarily causes more home sales to fall apart than it should. Get educated so that doesn't happen.
  • Charities that take things free - get a list of companies that will come to your home and remove items you no longer want. Doing so is an outstanding way to get your home in better shape for selling while also helping others in need.
  • How do Credit Sesame and Credit Karma differ - do you know the differences between Credit Karma and Credit Sesame? In the article at Housecall see an in-depth review of these two credit powerhouses. When you are going to be buying a home Credit Karma can be an excellent site to build your financial credit.
  • Get a home sold as a for sale by owner - would you like to sell your house without the assistance of a real estate agent? See some solid tips on how to sell a property as a for sale by owner.

Use these additional real estate resources to make the best decisions possible when buying or selling your next home.

 

Posted by

With three decades of experience, Bill Gassett is an authority in the real estate sector. Bill writes informative articles for numerous prestigious real estate sites to help buyers, sellers, and fellow real estate agents. His work has been featured on RIS Media, the National Association of Realtors, Inman News, Placester, Realty Biz News, Credit Sesame, and his own authority resource, Maximum Real Estate Exposure. Reach out to Bill Gassett for his real estate, mortgage, and financial expertise.

Comments(3)

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Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Bill. Like all service providers who give above above and beyond movers should be tipped.

Feb 17, 2020 07:01 AM
Bill Gassett

Very true Sheila Anderson - I think tipping a mover is sometimes overlooked.

Feb 17, 2020 07:11 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good afternoon Bill Gassett - that is certainly a very helpful guide on tipping movers.

Feb 17, 2020 02:17 PM
Bill Gassett

Thanks very much Grant Schneider 

Feb 19, 2020 07:01 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Bill- Excellent tips on tips!  We've moved many times and I know just how hard they work. We always tips and provide cold non-alcoholic beverages and order in sandwiches or pizza for them. 

Feb 17, 2020 06:27 PM
Bill Gassett

Thanks for the compliments on the moving tips Kathy Streib 

Feb 19, 2020 07:01 AM