Planning a move requires asking and answering a lot of questions. One of the most common questions our team at Milvus Movers gets is “Do you tip movers?” That question is usually followed by “How much do you tip movers?”
The amount you tip movers is usually dependent on a few factors, like:
- The size and difficulty of your move
- The quality and performance of the service you received
- How many movers worked to accomplish your move
Tipping is customary after a move, but you might not know how to tip your movers or how much to tip. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide full of our best tips on how to tip movers, what a standard tip for movers looks like, and everything you need to know about tipping movers in Boston.
Keep reading for answers to all your tipping questions so you can be prepared on moving day.
Preparing Your Mover Tip Budget
Tipping movers is something that usually occurs after the job is complete. After all, you will want to evaluate the performance and service your team of movers provides. But you can still plan ahead and do some estimating so you won’t be unprepared when it comes time to tip.
So, what is the average tip for movers? It really depends on what you’re moving and where. Do you have an entire home worth of belongings to move or are you moving to a small apartment? Do your movers have to navigate several flights of stairs or move heavy furniture in the process? These are questions you should consider when determining what to tip movers. But here’s a good rule of thumb to follow:
Just like tipping in a restaurant or service industry, a standard tip for movers is between 15%-20%. Moving jobs that are particularly large or difficult should likely fall on the high end of that percentage. Smaller and easier jobs can usually go for the lower end of that range.
Evaluating Movers’ Performance and Deciding on a Tip
Our team at Milvus Movers takes extreme pride in our work and strives to provide the very best in quality and care for our clients. If this is the kind of service you receive on your moving day, you should consider that in the amount of your tip.
Tipping is a way to express your gratitude for hard work and a job well done. But it should also reflect if you’re left unsatisfied or unhappy with your service. After all, poor service shouldn’t be rewarded. Here are some considerations of things that your movers should be rewarded for.
- Being timely, efficient, and communicative
- Getting the job done in the specified time frame or faster than expected
- Providing assistance packing or unpacking your belongings
- Navigating difficult terrain, stairs, long distance, or other obstacles
- Friendly, polite, professional service
- Taking extreme care and caution to avoid damaging your things
What are some reasons your mover's tip amount might be reduced?
- Being late to the job and not communicating in advance
- Poor customer service, rudeness, and disrespect
- Intentional disregard for the care of your belongings
- Damages incurred because of that lack of care
- If your moving team demands a certain amount for their tip
You won’t encounter any of these scenarios when you’re dealing with our team of friendly, skilled movers at Milvus Moving. The same holds for most professional moving companies. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t unscrupulous companies out there who provide lackluster service and then demand compensation for their incompetence.
The Right Way to Tip Movers
Once your move is complete, you should have a pretty good idea of the quality of service you received or didn’t receive. This will make it easier to know how much to tip your movers.
Handling the tip itself is usually best done by tipping an equal percentage to each mover individually. It’s best if you can split the tip yourself and directly hand each mover their share. This communicates that you appreciate each mover’s hard work and ensures that the tip is split evenly.
If the movers demand more than you offer, you should contact the moving company directly and inform them. Haggling over tip amounts or demanding a specific monetary amount is unprofessional. Don’t allow them to make you feel obligated to tip a certain amount.
Going the Extra Mile for Your Movers
Moving is hard work, which is part of the reason you likely hired a professional moving company. All that heavy lifting and carrying can leave movers feeling exhausted, and depending on the weather, either sweating or chilled to the bone. Besides offering a tip to your movers after all is said and done, there are some other ways you can show your appreciation during a difficult move.
Offer your moving team a cold beverage on a hot day, or some hot coffee during the winter months. You will probably want to avoid offering any type of alcoholic beverage, as most professional moving companies have strict rules prohibiting drinking during working hours.
Offer snacks or even a catered lunch if you feel inclined. Moving heavy items means your movers are exerting a lot of energy, and they will likely work up an appetite. Offering some kind of nourishment to replenish their energy will surely be appreciated.
And lastly, you can express your appreciation for the hard work and professionalism of your movers by leaving a positive review on their company website, Facebook, Google, or Yelp. These reviews are very valuable for local companies.
If you’re planning a move in the Boston area, contact Milvus Moving before doing anything else. Our team of experienced, trained professionals will ensure that every moment of your move, from the first phone call to the tip at the end, goes smoothly. Get in touch with us today for your free quote!
