Should I tip the movers?

[tenbananasaday]

I had no intention of doing so. I didn't know people even did this until recently but this is my first time using movers. I am moving on Monday and have hired movers. They aren't cheap at £1100 to move us from a two bed terrace. Do I have tip them on top of this? I only usually tip at a restaurant, or I'll let the delivery person or taxi driver keep the change but I wouldn't go out of my way to tip. What do you think?

[InTheDrunkTank]

I did tip our movers (they were great and did all the packing really carefully too). While they happily accepted they seemed quite surprised by the tip so I don't think everyone does.

[NoOneOwnsTheRainbow]

Huh? No. I also don't tip other people who I pay ginormous amounts of money to. Car dealers. Estate agents. Builders. Plumbers. I paid them to do a job. Sounds very American to tip movers.

[tenbananasaday]

@NoOneOwnsTheRainbow
My thoughts exactly. But literally every thread about moving house seems mention tipping them. So I looked it up online and found this:

As a guideline, you should tip your movers between 15% to 20% of the total cost of the move for large or long-distance moves and 5% to 10% for smaller, cross-town moves.

Started to feel a little worried as honestly don't have it to give just now but would hate to come off as rude.

[InTheDrunkTank]

@tenbananasaday I also read that which is why I tipped but my movers at least definitely weren't expecting it so I don't think it actually is standard practise. I was happy to do it as although the move was expensive the movers themselves don't see most of that money, don't give any amount of money you'll actually miss though as I don't think it's expected at all

[OhNoIHaveToExercise]

When my parents moved house around 15 years ago we tipped the 3 removal guys £10 each. They worked really hard and we just wanted to give them a little something to say thank you. They were chuffed, as others have said I don’t think they expect it.
I know you are paying a lot to the company for the move but the workers themselves may only be on minimum wage and it is obviously very heavy and hard work.
However it is totally your choice, you shouldn’t feel pressured at all.

[MonkeyPuddle]

I bought the two guys who moved us some beers each. It was the Friday before lockdown 1.0, they bloody deserved it for getting us moved.

[tenbananasaday]

@MonkeyPuddle

I bought the two guys who moved us some beers each. It was the Friday before lockdown 1.0, they bloody deserved it for getting us moved.

That's a nice thought. I think I could stretch to some booze and chocolates.

[tenbananasaday]

@InTheDrunkTank
That's good to know. Glad your move went well.

[TreadLightly3]

Who on earth wrote that crap about needing to tip movers????!!!! Clearly a moving company I am guessing! What a load of rubbish

[Figgyboa]

Yes, I tip movers. I also offer them a cold beer, haven't had a refusal yet!

[JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]

No way!! Not when you're paying £1,100!

Why is it some people we "should tip" - movers, bin men etc - but I don't tip the bus driver or teacher or car salesman?

[Onesailwait]

We gave ours a crate of beer, it was very gratefully received.

[pinksunday]

We moved twice last year and used the same company both times- they were absolutely fabulous so we bought them a box of beers each both times

[atimetobe]

If they do a good job I think it's the right thing to do - the last movers I used really went above and beyond so I gave them £20 each and they were very appreciative

[FlamedToACrisp]

We gave ours £20 each and thanked them very much for all their hard work, also bought some takeaway food because it was a long day and we were having some.

But, let's be honest - if you don't tip them and they're really upset about it... so what? You'll have moved by then! If you need to move again, just choose another company!

[feliciabirthgiver]

BiL works for a removal company - he doesn't expect a tip but they really appreciate a beer (it's called a 'dry move' when no beer or tip is produced).

[RavingAnnie]

Why "should" you tip movers? Bizarre idea. If they did some sort of amazing job or something special for you and went above and beyond, maybe but tipping shouldn't be the norm. You pay a fucking fortunes to move already.

[Nandocushion]

[quote tenbananasaday]@NoOneOwnsTheRainbow
My thoughts exactly. But literally every thread about moving house seems mention tipping them. So I looked it up online and found this:

As a guideline, you should tip your movers between 15% to 20% of the total cost of the move for large or long-distance moves and 5% to 10% for smaller, cross-town moves.

Started to feel a little worried as honestly don't have it to give just now but would hate to come off as rude. [/quote]
I'll be moving internationally shortly and I absolutely won't be tipping 15-20% of the enormous amount I'm paying. For a short move? Maybe, maybe just some beer.

Frankly, that's ridiculous. I've done international and long-distance moves in the past and it's never one single company doing them - they use different contractors along the way, drivers change, etc etc. The people who pack aren't the people who load the truck, and there are different people again who unpack, all from different, smaller contracted companies. Why would you bung a massive amount to the people who picked up your belongings in the final 12 hours of the move?

[FunkyFunkyBeat]

We always tip- about £100. Movers don't earn a lot. Seems pretty tight not to.

[BlueThistles]

we tipped our movers... brilliant team of guys who we felt deserved the acknowledgement on the day from us personally 🌺

[PigletJohn]

[quote tenbananasaday]@NoOneOwnsTheRainbow
My thoughts exactly. But literally every thread about moving house seems mention tipping them. So I looked it up online and found this:

As a guideline, you should tip your movers between 15% to 20% of the total cost of the move for large or long-distance moves and 5% to 10% for smaller, cross-town moves.

Started to feel a little worried as honestly don't have it to give just now but would hate to come off as rude. [/quote]
When you looked online, was it an American site?

[IamtheDevilsAvocado]

I tipped our movers, 20£ each 5 years ago.... As I thought they only earnt minimum - ish wage.... Completely by accident discovered at least one of them was earning 35k....

They enthusiastically took the tip... Wot a surprise.

Next time, I'll

[IamtheDevilsAvocado]

Next time I'll just offer coffee and a bag of sweets for theur return journey.


At the time, turned out movers were being paid a lot more than we were.

[peak2021]

Yes, assuming they do the job properly. Cash in their hand as it should be for them not their company.

If they are as good as mine were, then they are more than deserving of a tip.

[Bluntness100]

No, I say thanks and that’s it. By them some beer or some wine to say thanks.