How Much Should You Tip Your Movers?

How Much Should You Tip Your Movers?

(Tipping Culture💰)

Let's address the elephant 🐘 in this post right away...

Tipping culture has gotten out of hand!!

That's right, we said it!

And this is coming from a company that encourages our clients to leave a tip. 💰

A broad majority of Americans say they’re being asked to tip service workers more frequently than in the past.

Around seven-in-ten U.S. adults (72%) say tipping is expected in more places today than it was five years ago, a finding that tracks with anecdotal reporting and has even been dubbed “tipflation.”

So why the hypocrisy...

Let's delve into why the recent tipping culture craze has negatively impacted industries where tipping traditionally made sense.

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How Did We Get Here?

There are plenty of opinions on the matter of tipping, especially since almost every where we look there is this...

The main factor for the increase in tipping culture can be attributed to technology and the ease of "asking without really asking".

I believe there is something to our human nature that if we are asked for something it is hard to say "no".

Another driving factor has to do with poor wages.

Now, not every employer falls into this bucket, but a majority of professions that have started to implement the "tip option" through technology has been historically low paying jobs.

So what about the moving industry...

Movers generally do fall into a lower paying industry category, however, tipping movers is not mandatory and was always a standard practice PRIOR to the tipping culture BOOM.

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Why Should Movers Get Tipped?

Let's take a look at the most obvious answer with this quick breakdown...

CASHIER

✔️ Spends 5 minutes with you

✔️ Usually says about 5 sentences

✔️ Will serve 10-15 customers per hour

✔️ Never breaks a sweat

MOVER

✔️ Spends ALL day with you

✔️ Usually hears your life story

✔️ Will serve JUST YOU all day

✔️ Not a day goes by without sweating

I don't think anyone can argue that swiveling around an iPad is the same as precisely handling heavy furniture all day long.

One clearly deserves a little bonus over the other.

So how come the employer doesn't just pay the movers better?

We agree!

Movers are most certainly underpaid and unappreciated.

It is one of the reasons we started our company, to provide an amazing work culture, while paying the highest in the industry.

But, let's breakdown why we still believe in tipping given our high wages...

Movers can actually save you money!

That's right!

If your move is an hourly rate, your overall invoice is dependent on the efficiency of your movers (amongst a whole list of other variables that we won't get into here).

An estimate is based on the amount of items you have.

If you have a rockstar mover, then most likely they will beat the estimate.

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Standard Tipping Guidelines

✔️ Per Hour: A common approach is to tip $4-$5 per mover per hour. If your move takes five hours and you have three movers, you might consider tipping each mover $20-$25.

✔️ Flat Rate: Alternatively, you can tip a flat rate based on the total cost of your move. A standard recommendation is to tip 5-10% of the total moving cost. For instance, if your move costs $1,000, a tip of $50-$100 is appropriate.

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Factors to Consider

✔️ Complexity of the Move: If your move involves heavy or awkward items, multiple flights of stairs, or other challenging conditions, you might consider tipping on the higher end of the scale.

✔️ Quality of Service: If your movers were exceptionally careful, efficient, and friendly, a more generous tip might be warranted.

✔️ Distance: For long-distance moves, where movers may spend more than one day on the job, it's common to tip at the end of each day. In these cases, a daily tip of $20-$30 per mover is typical.

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When to Tip

✔️ End of the Job: Most people tip movers at the end of the move once all the work is done.

✔️ Per Day: For multi-day moves, consider tipping at the end of each day.

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Non-Monetary Tips

✔️ Food and Drinks: Providing water, snacks, or even lunch can be a thoughtful gesture, especially during long or strenuous moves.

✔️ Positive Review: Leaving a positive review online can also be a great way to thank your movers for their hard work. Some companies even give their movers review bonuses (cough cough Packhorse Moving does)

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Final Thoughts

Tipping your movers is a way to recognize their efforts and show your gratitude for a job well done...

Not for them showing off their swiveling skills. 🤦‍♂️

While there are general guidelines, the most important thing is to tip what you feel comfortable with.

A little appreciation can go a long way in making a challenging moving day more rewarding for everyone involved.