How Much Should You Tip Your Movers?
You’re accustomed to tipping waiters, bartenders, hairstylists, and bellhops, but what does etiquette say about tipping movers? Moving can be stressful enough without having to think about tip percentages and protocol. Plus, between packing and storing all of your things, having cash or checks on hand to give to your moving company at the end of a long day can oftentimes be the last thing on your mind.
In an effort to clear up some uncertainties, the professionals at Georgetown Moving and Storage Company have created this post as a recommendation to reference when deciding if you should tip your movers.
Is Tipping Required for Moving Services?
The short answer to this question is no. Tipping etiquette doesn’t require you to tip your movers in the same way that it’s expected for you to tip your waiter or waitress at a restaurant. It’s a gesture of appreciation – something your movers must earn.
If you’re disappointed because your movers had a bad attitude or they dropped some of your belongings down the stairs, feel free to withhold a tip. But, if you were satisfied with a job well done, tip your movers personally with a smile and a heartfelt thank you.
How Much to Tip Your Movers
Based on your level of satisfaction and the difficulty of the move, customary tips range anywhere from 10% to 20%. You can also tip by a dollar amount, perhaps offering $20 to $40 per mover. Consider tipping more if your movers went above and beyond on your moving day. An exceptional moving service might include:
- Taking extra care when lifting fragile boxes into the truck
- Carefully packing your fine China
- Adding an extra layer of wrapping to your antique furniture
- Displaying a cheerful, happy attitude during the entire move
- Making you feel well taken care of
If your move is above average on the difficulty scale, consider tipping your movers as a thank you for putting up with less-than-ideal circumstances. Factors of a challenging move include:
- A large home with many family members and belongings
- Many oversized pieces
- Second or third floor moves with no elevator
- Long haul required due to the parking situation
- Hectic travel conditions in a metropolitan area
- Additional tasks, such as packing, furniture wrapping, and furniture disassembly or reassembly
The amount you tip should correlate directly with your level of satisfaction and the difficulty of the move. You might feel especially satisfied with your movers if they go above and beyond the call of duty.
How to Tip Movers
The easiest way to offer a tip is to fill in the line item on your bill. This allows you to pay the tip by credit card, which is the easiest way to include this as part of your total moving expenses. This is also an efficient way to tip if you’re deducting the costs on your tax return.
If a line item isn’t included for tipping, write your movers a check with your chosen tip amount. This is another way to document your generosity as proof to the IRS on Tax Day.
You can either give each mover their own tip or present a lump sum to the job boss, who will distribute your tip evenly. Remember, if you hire movers for a long distance move and different teams load and unload your truck, divide the total tip so each crew receives half. When in doubt about how to tip, or how much to tip your movers, ask the moving company to elaborate on their tipping policy.
Work with a Moving Company You Can Trust
When you hire Georgetown Moving and Storage Company, you can take advantage of any moving services you need, including packing and storage services. While we charge for each service you select, we don’t charge extra for “difficult” moves. Still, if our registered, licensed, bonded, and insured movers complete the job to your satisfaction, we invite you to tip at your discretion.
For more information on how to tip movers or how to schedule packing, moving, or storage services in the Washington, DC area, contact Georgetown Moving and Storage Company today at (703) 889-8899! You can also request a free moving and storage quote when you’re ready.
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