Despite tipping being customary for many industries in America, including restaurants, bars, and hotels, it can still be a controversial and confusing practice for many people. Since there’s no set price point or percentage for calculating how much you should tip for a service, there are a few ways to determine when and how much you should tip for moving services.

If you’re looking for best practices on how to tip without feeling obligated, stressed, or awkward, you’re in the right place! We’ll go over various factors that go into whether you should tip your movers and offer a few alternatives if you prefer a non-monetary approach.

How Much You Should Tip Movers

Before we dive into the nitty gritty, it’s important to note that, while it’s greatly appreciated, you are NOT obligated to tip your movers. With that said, the average hourly wage for most movers is roughly between $15 and $20, which isn’t much considering the amount of manual labor that goes into moving. As we said before, there isn’t exactly a one-size-fits-all model for tipping, but in the case of movers, there are a few ways to go about calculating your tip amount:

  • 15% to 20% of the total moving costs
  • $4 to $12 per hour per mover
  • Desired flat rate amount per mover

Whichever you choose, it’s best to give your tips directly to each mover instead of a supervisor or a single mover if there are multiple movers involved.

What To Tip: Local vs. Long-Distance Movers

As expected, long-distance moves tend to be more complex than local ones. This is because they can involve more movers and a lot longer hours than if you were only moving a few minutes away. In the case of tipping local movers, you may find that doing a percentage of the total amount may be more budget-friendly than doing an hourly tip.

However, with a long-distance move, the total moving costs can reach into the thousands. This can make the percentage model no longer appealing. If that’s the case, you may find it better to stick with the hourly or desired flat rate model instead.

Things To Consider When Tipping Movers

As you know, tipping is 100% optional. But if it’s something you do decide to do for your movers, here are a few things to consider when finalizing how much you want to tip:

  • Quality of service: If your movers took extra special care of your belongings and went above and beyond to deliver exceptional services, increasing your tip amount is a great way to show appreciation.
  • Punctuality: For movers who show up late or worse, force you to reschedule your move, a tip may not even be a consideration. However, if they showed up on time, ready to go, this could be something to consider when deciding your tip amount.
  • Distance or difficulty: If your move was long and strenuous, but your movers championed through without complaint or disdain, you could show your appreciation with a larger tip than usual.
  • Efficiency: Using highly efficient work methods, did your movers get your move done faster than expected? Factor in this delightful detail when tipping.
  • Friendliness: Sometimes, movers may be respectful but not exactly friendly. If you felt your movers were exceptionally pleasant, made you feel comfortable, and happily answered any questions you had before and after your move, you might want to give a little more tip money than you initially decided on.

Tip Alternatives To Show Your Appreciation

Money isn’t the only way to show your appreciation for your movers. Since moving can take several hours, your movers will likely become hungry or thirsty at some point throughout the day. So, you might wonder if food and drinks may be good alternatives to tipping.

Usually, movers will bring enough food and beverages for themselves. However, if it’s already leading into your regular lunch or dinner time, you can consider either cooking extra or ordering food for your movers. Not only will this be highly appreciated by your movers, but it’s a relatively inexpensive way to show them your appreciation.

Another less conventional way of showing appreciation to your movers is donating some of your unwanted items. You can ask your movers directly if they or anyone they know would find any use for the things you no longer want. This could be old gaming systems, cabinets, or any other belonging you want to part with. If done right, it can feel like tipping and downsizing simultaneously!

Enjoy a Stress-Free Moving Experience With Black Tie Moving

Whether you choose to tip with money, food, or not at all, moving can be a stressful ordeal. However, when you work with highly trained professional movers, it doesn’t have to be. Our team of moving experts is experienced in local condo, home, and office moves, as well as long-distance moves. At Black Tie Moving, rest assured that your move will go off without a hitch. If you’re moving soon and looking for the best movers, contact Black Tie Moving for a free quote or call (844) 920-2966 to schedule your move with us today!