When it comes to tipping your movers, the question isn't always “how much?” but rather “should you tip them at all?” Before moving day, it's important to call the company to verify that they accept tips. If your policy prevents tipping, you can still show your gratitude by providing non-alcoholic food or snacks to your moving team; this is especially welcome when a move falls on a hot day or overlaps mealtimes. You may also choose to skip tips if the tip was included in your moving cost, a practice adopted by some moving companies for long-distance moves. Tipping is not necessary if the process was excessively delayed, if your property or belongings were damaged, or if you received poor service. If you're dissatisfied with certain aspects of the service (poor communication, late arrival without explanation, aggressive handling of sensitive items, etc.), you may offer a tip below the established guideline.
Once the relocation is complete, place the cash tip for each move in a separate envelope and distribute it individually. Avoid paying a lump sum to the foreman (supervisor of the moving crew) to be divided. When it comes to deciding how much to tip, it's customary to give the same amount to each mover. However, you can give a higher tip to anyone who performs a higher service. The general rule of thumb is to base the tip on a percentage of the total cost of moving, with 15-20% being the industry average.
Large domestic moving companies usually include a tipping option as an item on your bill, which means you can pay the tip with the rest of the move. Don't just use a percentage: When tipping at a restaurant, for example, you would normally calculate the total tip by tipping a percentage of the total bill. When it comes to tipping your movers, however, it's best to give them a fixed amount that reflects their hard work and dedication.
