When it comes to tipping professional movers, the general rule of thumb is to base the tip on a percentage of the total cost of the move. The industry average is 15-20%, so if your move only took 4 hours and you were impressed with the service, it's appropriate to tip $16 to $20 per mover. It may make sense to tip each different team handling your items, rather than waiting to tip only the final team. However, if your movers damage your furniture, are careless, or are late, it may be appropriate to skip tips. For moves that require more work, use your best judgment when deciding how much to tip.
If you want to tip based on a percentage of the total bill, it's important to consider how expensive the move is. Tipping in the moving industry is common and its workers, like most workers in the service industry, appreciate the gesture. When it comes to tipping, moving companies don't consider or include it in the price of your move. So if you're impressed with the job done by your packers and carriers, it's worth considering as a way to thank them for their hard work. They do a lot of manual labor - carefully and methodically packing items and belongings, moving heavy objects, driving from one destination to another - and they deserve recognition for their efforts. When deciding how much to tip, consider factors such as the difficulty of the move and how carefully your belongings were transported.
Heavy possessions such as pianos or closets, as well as architectural obstacles such as steep terrains, narrow or winding staircases or multiple flights of stairs can make a move significantly more exhausting for those who move. If you're unsure whether tipping is mandatory or not, remember that professional carriers help eliminate the risk of personal injury and property damage.
