Tip etiquette is always a touchy subject. When thinking about tipping your movers it is important to think about the task they were entrusted.
Movers are trusted with your personal possessions and inside your home doing lots of heavy lifting. Although they are being paid for a service to haul your belongings from point A to point B, they could merit extra recognition for their hard work.
So yes! Please tip your movers if you are happy with your move.
As with others who provide personal services from haircutters to waiters, if you are pleased with the service, a little cash is a demonstration of your appreciation.
Movers do not expect a tip and will not stand outside your home with a hand outstretched and a tapping foot so a little extra something from you would be a simple thank you for a job well done.
Of course if the job was sub-par you are not obligated to tip.
So now the question is if your movers deserve a tip, how much?
Again, there is no set amount and it is up to the customer.
John Bisney, a spokesman for the American Moving and Storage Association says, “Opinions on [tipping] are varied, 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.”
The quality of the move should factor into your decision on how much to tip. As you assess how carefully your items were handled and moved into your new home, adjust your tip up or down according to the level of service you received.
So the choice is yours to tip or not to tip but one more piece of advice: if you decide to tip, divide the cash equally and hand each mover the same amount individually.
FAQ: SHOULD I TIP MY MOVER?
