How Much Should You Tip Your Movers?
Moving is hard work. Planning a move is tiring and overwhelming. But, actually physically moving items from one location to another is utterly exhausting. There is a reason many people hire someone else to move their belongings. So when you hire someone to properly take care of your items and relocate them to your new home, it is important to reward them with a tip based on your experience.
Yes, they are paid by their employer to complete the work, but according to glassdoor.com, a mover brings in on average, about $13 per hour. That adds up to about $100 for 8 hours of constant, heavy lifting. They are carefully packing and wrapping up your precious belongings. They are lifting items that are hundreds of pounds and often awkwardly shaped. They are carrying items many yards, and frequently up and down stairs. They are organizing objects properly to load and unload the moving truck.
In my opinion, laborers for a moving company are not paid enough. As a Physical Therapist, I have seen many patients with work-related injuries caused by lifting and carrying bulky items. They put their quality of life on the line each day at work. One stumble, one fall, or dropping an object could debilitate them for the rest of their life. It would be interesting to see what the average injury rate is for laborers at any given moving company. It would also be interesting to see what type of training laborers receive on proper lifting and carrying to protect their bodies. I could go on and on about injury risk and prevention, but I will spare you the details today. 😉
Before I get too off track, my point here is that yes, tipping can be an awkward experience when working with moving companies. Just know…
You Need to Tip Your Movers
They are taking care of your belongings. They are working hard. So how much do you tip? Like with most service industries you tip based on your experience. Did they do a good job? Did they properly take care of your belongings and home? Were they polite? Are you satisfied with their service?
If yes, then you can tip 10-15% of the cost of the move and divide it among the laborers. You can also tip $20-$25/mover per day of work. These rates are for an average experience. Are you extremely satisfied with their work? Tip more! Are you very dissatisfied? Tip a lesser amount and contact their supervisor.
Are you moving around the holidays? If you can spare the money, I recommend you tip extra for the movers who have taken the time out of their holiday schedule to help you. We have even given items to the movers that we weren’t able to pack and load. We had a large living room rug that wasn’t going to fit in our new place. We were going to toss it, but one of the laborers was happy to take it off our hands.
Here are a couple of examples of what we have paid in the past. Once, we hired two guys to load boxes we packed into our rented moving truck. It took them about 4 hours total from start to finish. We tipped them $20 each.
Another time, we hired a full service moving company to move us around the holidays. A set of folks came in and packed our items in one day. And the next day a different group of movers came in and loaded our packed boxes and furniture onto the moving truck. We tipped each person $60 because it was the holiday season. They also did a fantastic job and were extremely polite.
At the end of the day, you decide what you tip your movers. But make sure you take care of them. They are sacrificing a lot to get your belongings from point A to point B. Reward them for their hard work. Let the movers know you appreciate their work.
This is such great advice. There is a reason we use movers…try to channel that when you decide to tip!
Thanks, Cindy!
I never thought of tipping our movers. I am glad I now know!
Happy to share!
I do not like movers moving my stuff but I agree in tipping them i f I did . Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome, Jody.
Nice. I think this is an area we can easily forget just because most of us don’t pick up and move all that often.
Great point, Shannon.
I love tipping for those who help out. Movers, delivery drivers, waiters – you name it I like to go the extra and show my appreciation.
That is so great, Tiffany! They do such hard work, it’s nice to do something a little special.
Great advice.. the movers aren’t the ones making all the money.. I totally agree tip your movers!
Thanks, Holly!
Yes, absolutely!
Yes!
I would have never thought of tipping movers, to be honest. I didn’t think about it for doggie daycare providers either, but now it seems it’s the norm. I totally agree with letting people know they do good work and are appreciated, but it’s hard to tip everyone on a very limited income. That was very nice of you to tip your movers so well. I’m sure they were very happy!
Great points, Ramae. I recently did grocery pick up and didn’t even think to tip until I got home, then I felt so guilty. It’s hard to know when to tip and when not to tip…and how much for different services. Every little bit counts to show appreciation.
Good post about tipping movers
Thank you!
Nice of you to bring light to something as kind as this.
Thank you, Debbie.
I have not had to use movers as we always do it ourselves. However, both my aunt and in-laws will be moving back north from the south so if we do not do it ourselves, this information will be very helpful! Thank you1
You’re welcome, Judean! Good luck with moving. your family… I am sure they will greatly appreciate any help you can give them.
Moving is hard work! I have always done it myself but there will be a day when it will be too much and I’ll remember to tip!
I agree it is such hard work…no matter who is doing it.
Great reminders! It is always good to show appreciation.
Thanks, Debbi.
I like the $20 per person rule. I always tell them what I have allocated for the tip, so they work accordingly.
That’s a great idea too, Vanessa!
Thanks for the advice, really gives me something to think about next time I move
You’re welcome, Cathy
I haven’t used movers, but you make some great points! Everyone deserves compensation for good work.
I agree, Stacey.
Great post! It’s great to know who should be tipped and the proper amounts.
Thanks, Kendra!
Who knew? I’ve never used a mover before, so I thank you for the heads up!
You’re welcome, Suzan.
Great post! I hate trying to figure out things like this myself!
Thanks, Katie! Tipping is a tough topic because no one talks about it… when do we do it? how much? I figured sharing my experience could help others.
Thanks for this tip. I would have never thought to have tipped them.
You’re welcome, Heather.
Something I have never thought about!
Either had I until I realized how hard our movers were working.
This is a great idea.
Thanks, Noelle.
I have never hired a mover but never would have thought to top them before. You make some fantastic points. I will definitely tip if I hire someone
Thank you, Adrienne. I am sure when the time comes, your movers will appreciate it.
Excellent suggestions. Movers generally do a great job and work hard.
Thank you, Cindy. They really do work so hard.
Great advice. I always wonder how much to tip . . . period.
Story of my life, Annette, lol!