Tipping is a customary way to show your appreciation for the service provided by movers. A good rule of thumb is to tip between 15 and 20 percent of the total moving bill, both for a typical long-distance move and for a local move. It is not recommended to use a standard percentage of the cost when tipping moving companies, since the total cost of the move includes both the moving companies and the distance the van travels. Instead, consider the time and difficulty of the move when deciding how much tip you're going to give to the moving company.
If you hire a long-distance moving company, you'll have to tip both moving teams. A good way to understand how you give them a tip is to divide the total price of the move in two (to account for both crews) and calculate the tip based on that. Consider the number of things that move, the number of oversized pieces, and if there are ladders involved. If there are some complicated factors that hinder your move, consider increasing the tip amount.
Long-distance moves can involve different equipment, one in your old house and one in the new one. The only ordinary person can be the truck driver. In these cases, it is acceptable to tip each member of the crew at the rates listed above. Most moving companies don't expect a tip, but when they receive it, they are greatly grateful for it.
Pay attention to how they treat your things and interact with you during the packing and moving process. If you think they did a good job, it's appropriate to give them a tip. Do not give the lump sum to the foreman or driver. Tipping each worker recognizes and appreciates their individual efforts.
Be careful when offering “pizza and beer” to your professional moving team. Many companies have strict policies on employee alcohol consumption when they are working. You don't want to get a worker in trouble for accepting your hospitality. Ultimately, the tip you provide should reflect the level of service and degree of difficulty involved. Tipping is a way of showing that you recognize the extra effort they put in.
It's important to remember that, in general, the work performance of transporters depends much more than that of a waiter or a barber. If you have a bad experience, there's nothing wrong with not tipping. However, if this makes you uncomfortable, follow the general rule that you should tip people who move once they've completed the job.
