If you’re moving, you might be wondering what amount to tip your movers. Everyone knows it is generally standard to tip waiters or delivery drivers 10-20%, but tipping movers is less clear-cut. You may not even know if you should tip your movers at all. In this article, we will dive into all your questions about tipping movers.
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Is Tipping Movers Mandatory?
The short answer is it isn’t mandatory to tip your movers. Movers are different than other professions where tipping is mandatory but, tipping movers the proper amount is customary and polite.
This is especially true if your movers did a good job with your move. You might be tempted not to tip since moving can already be expensive. However, keep in mind what a tough and physical job moving is. Your movers work hard to help you move in efficiently and protect your belongings from damage.
How Much Do I Tip Movers?
If you’re unsure, a generic rule is to tip each mover about $5 per hour. So, you should tip movers $20 for a move that takes half a day and $40 for a move that takes a standard workday. If your move is even longer (late nights or early mornings), tipping around $50 or more can be customary.
Since tips for other services are based on a percentage of the total cost, this can be confusing. However, moving is a little different, especially with long-distance moves. The total cost of a move often includes factors such as the distance the van travels if you opt for a full-service moving company. That does not have as much to do with the effort your moving crew puts into helping you move. Because of this, movers are tipped differently.
How much you tip depends on a lot of factors. These factors can include the weather, how much stuff you have, how many big pieces of furniture you own, and how many flights of stairs are in your home.
You also might consider how friendly the movers are and how careful they are with fragile items in their care. If you are moving long-distance, you might be interacting with multiple moving crews- one at your new home and one at your old home. Remember to factor tipping both of these moving crews into your costs.
When you are calculating the cost of your move, it is a good idea to add the cost of the tip afterward and factor that into your budget. This way, you are not unpleasantly surprised by the added cost and you can stay within your budget. The best way to determine the cost of your move is to use the UniMovers’ cost calculator.
Things to Remember
Another thing to keep in mind while tipping movers is to tip them all individually. It might be tempting to just hand the foreman a wad of cash and trust them to split the money fairly. However, this is not a guarantee that it will actually be divided equitably. Instead, be sure you give each person their fair share of the tip. That way, you are sure that your money ends up where you intended it to.
If your movers do a bad job, it’s okay to tip less. Keep in mind that accidents happen even to the best of us. That’s what moving insurance is for! If you’re worried about expensive items during your move, it might be a good idea to invest in moving insurance. But, if your movers are extremely careless or rude, it is okay to tip less. If your movers are friendly and punctual it’s a great idea to show how thankful you are by giving them a little bonus.
Make Your Movers Feel Appreciated
There are other ways to show appreciation for your movers, too! It’s always a good idea to offer your movers snacks and drinks. This could be as simple and low-key as water and pretzels. Or, you could go all out and buy them a fancy lunch. A tip is not usually expected if you treat your movers to a nice catered meal.
If you plan to buy food for your movers, alcohol might not be the best choice. While it’s common to pay friends in pizza and drinks, many moving companies do not allow movers to drink on the job. Stick to non-alcoholic options like soda, water, or lemonade instead.
Another great way to show your appreciation for movers is to make sure you leave the moving company good reviews! These are super helpful for the moving company. They are also helpful for anyone else who is searching for a trustworthy company to assist them in their move. If you had a good experience with your move, be sure to share it and leave the names of specific movers.
To Tip or Not to Tip…
Tipping your movers an appropriate amount if you are happy with your move is a great idea. The rule of thumb is usually $5 per mover per hour. Remember to factor a tip into the total cost of your move. You can also show your appreciation in other ways, like offering your movers food and beverages.
Finally, remember to leave a positive review showing how happy you are with the service you received. Unsure if movers are the right fit for you still? Check out another one of our blogs “Is It Worth It For Me To Hire Movers?“
Ashlyn is a homegrown Iowan (go Cyclones!). She graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 2023 with a degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications. Now, she serves as UniMovers' Community Outreach Manager. In her free time, she loves to try new restaurants, travel, watch baseball, and spend time with her dog!
To get in contact with her regarding blog partnerships at UniMovers please email blog@unimovers.com.
