Tipping etiquette is a debatable subject in most fields. It is well known that a tip of around 15% of the cost of service is a standard way to show your gratitude, but when it comes to tipping movers it’s not so simple. When we move our cherished belongings from one place to another, we put a lot of faith in professional movers, which is why figuring out a formula for tipping them accordingly can be tricky. You may think that paying the moving company is already a lot and a tip would be an unnecessary option, but a mover needs to use significantly more physical effort than most service industry workers do, so a tip is even more welcome.
If you’re not sure how much, when, or whether to tip at all, here are some tipping tips to keep in mind on your big moving day:
How much should you tip your movers?
Offering a tip is certainly not something you should feel obliged to do, but it is considered common courtesy to give a little extra reward to the workers if they did a good job. Before deciding upon a sum, you should consider a couple of factors that may help you make up your mind.
First of all, one of the most important aspects is the complexity of the move, which includes the length of the process and how difficult it is to transport your belongings. Secondly, keep in mind the overall cost of moving. The idea of offering something also depends on the total cost, as you don’t want to stress about spending a fortune. Last, but not least, you should pay attention to the quality of the service and the professionalism of the moving crew. If they handled your stuff extra carefully and made your day easier, a generous tip would be greatly appreciated.
Generally speaking, if you’re dealing with a full-day moving process, which is more than 8 hours, a tip of at least $50 is considered appropriate. If it’s only half a day, $20 per person is recommended, but depending on the complicating factors of the move, you can add to or reduce from the sum correspondingly.
Another method is to calculate the tip based on the hours worked by each member of the team, ranging between $4-$6 per hour for each mover.
When should you do the tipping?
Most movers don’t necessarily expect a tip, and if they’re professional enough, they’ll do the job carefully regardless of the extra cash. Still, whenever it is received, a tip is greatly enjoyed and can make someone’s day better.
Obviously, most people are used to tipping the workers at the end of the job, because it is then when you can properly consider the other factors involved. However, if you want to motivate the movers and boost the process, you can opt for handing part of the tip over at the beginning of the workday. This way, they are more likely to handle your stuff even more gently and deliver a top-notch service that might go beyond your expectations.
Apart from the tip, whenever you decide to offer it, a kind smile and a nice chat goes a long way in maintaining a positive vibe throughout the day.
How can you show your appreciation in other ways?
If you can’t afford to tip your movers as generously as you’d like but you appreciate their hard work, there are other ways to show your gratitude. If the job takes more hours than it were initially planned, it is nice to offer the moving crew something for their lunch, such as home-made sandwiches or pizza. Moreover, it is a good idea to pass out bottles of water or cold sodas during the summer period, and hot beverages such as tea, coffees or hot chocolate during the winter.
Lastly, one more alternative way of showing that you’re thankful for an outstanding service is leaving a positive review about the crew’s commitment, dedication and professionalism.
If you’re moving and you’re looking for a space to store your stuff in the meantime, or if you want to deposit some extra belongings, browse through the listings on STORAGECafé and find your ideal storage unit.
