“Tipping is not expected and is up to the customer,” said John Bisney, a spokesman for the American Moving and Storage Association. However, moving is a personal service. Pleased with the outcome? Give each mover a little extra cash to show your appreciation.
After all, moving can be difficult work in the best of circumstances. Add in bad weather, narrow hallways, and any of the other issues movers run into–and it can make even the easiest of moves more difficult.
So, yes, it’s appropriate to tip movers for a job well done. The real question is, how much.
The Tip for Tipping Movers
Movers are entrusted with your personal possessions and do all of the heavy lifting (pun intended). It’s natural to want to show your appreciation with a tip. But how much do you tip?
“Opinions on [tipping] are varied,” Bisney said. “One mover said the industry standard was 5%, which is pretty reasonable—if a crew of two movers move you for $500-$750, you might tip a total of $25 to $40, or $10 to $20 for each mover depending on the quality of the move,” Bisney said.
In truth, there’s no set answer for the exact right amount to tip movers. Moreover, tip amount is impacted by a number of factors. When it comes to figuring out the sweet spot for tips, consider the following:
- QualityThe quality of the move should also factor into your decision on how much to tip. Assess how carefully your items were moved into your new home. For a job well done, adjust your tip up.
- Weather ConditionsWere there adverse weather conditions that the movers had to deal with? Patches of ice? Rainy days? If so, consider factoring this into your tip. After all, moving a baby grand through three feet of snow is an impressive feat.
- Time and EffortTake stock of the way your movers worked. Were they quick and effective packer? Efficient loaders? Did they go the extra mile and place your sofa where you wanted? Then show you appreciate the thoughtful service.
One other piece of advice: If you decide to tip, divide the cash equally and hand each mover the same amount individually.