latest thinking on tipping removal men?

[DecisionTime123]

Does everyone or anyone tip the removal men in cash for a "drink" after the job? years ago I feel this was 100% expected but what's the latest? I've got a £1k removal job coming up - should I give them £50? (2 guys)

I think £20 each is fine. I actually gave the guys all the (open) liquor bottles and (unopened) beer bottles I had. I also got them donuts at some point.

They get paid very well to do a job that you pay a lot of money for doing a very basic job

I tipped about 5-10%

I'd be thinking of £20 each hut I haven't moved for a long time, it might be £50 now if they are helpful and obliging (which is why they do it)

Offer tea and coffee in arrival and at half time. No beers in working time.

I had two guys do the packing put the entire house into storage and then get it out again 4 months later in the height of the heat wave in the south this year I gave each £50. It's horrible work and would be surprised if it actually well paid.

My bill was £4500. Six guys packed me in 6 hrs . I gave the team leader £200 to share. Two guys drove and unpacked me 10 hrs away. We gave the travelling two Charlie Bigham fast food meals and sausage sandwiches from new butcher and £200 . They said we were great and they felt spoiled. They were superstars and made a very stressful time as calming and smooth as they could. My advice would be have some cash in your pocket and award them
for the job they do

I have always given the lead mover £30 to buy the team of 2 or 3 some lunch after they have loaded up.. They have always been appreciative. Moving is expensive, people shouldn’t feel they have to, but even a small token is thoughtful.

£2k bill. 2 removal guys one day doing the packing and then an additional one the next. £200 given to the lead guy - it was the hottest day of the year and they literally did not stop. They dismantled and rebuilt furniture, cleared the loft and garage and I couldn't fault them. I also put on a spread of snacks and drinks which was really appreciated.

Felt awful sitting watching them packing but we had a great chat and I maintain it was the best money we spent in the move, it literally made the process stress free.

Shame about the estate agents...

I didn’t give anything, didn’t know tipping them was a thing. Maybe that’s why they overcharged me for a very easy job. 1 Luton van that took less than an hour to pack. I had packed, disassembled and stacked everything in just one ground floor room, and they charged me for four hours. They reckon the 3 hours was for driving time and unloading it to local storage. I don’t really want to argue as I will be asking them to move it all again in a few month, but I’m annoyed. £600.

yes I gave some tips recently

The companies charge a lot but I think the “movers” get minimum wage- I moved five years ago and gave £25 each as well as sandwiches and drinks- they were all very helpful on a long day

No I most certainly don’t. They have quoted me a price to do a job, so i pay them that price. If they wanted more they should have quoted more.

Would you tip an electrician or plumber?

We moved 2 weeks ago. Ordered a subway buffet box for their lunch and gave them £20 tip each. Also provided plenty of hot/cold drinks.
Paid £1600 for removals - no packing or furniture assembly.

It's a long time since we moved, but we used the currency of cans of lager. They seemed quite happy with that arrangement.

Removal companies charge a lot but I’m not sure the poor buggers doing the actual graft are well paid. When we moved last year we gave the lead guy £200 to share between the 5 of them, plus endless tea, biscuits and sandwiches.

We had a bit of a wait as we exchanged and completed on the same day. We bought fish and chips and gave £50 each but there was a lot of stuff. Also cold drinks thought the day.

Thank you all. I had a budget of £1k and its come in at £1.1k which seems fair, had 3 quotes, so that means the cash I had for a tip has gone. I am going to see if I can give £50 to split but it will be a quick move they will be in at 9am, drive to new house and be gone by lunchtime so maybe the £50 will be for lunch. I agree if it's a very long or difficult move you'd have to factor in something more and provide the lunch. Appreciated chance to get opinions :)

We moved on Friday, £1100 for 3 men to their company, not to them! I gave them £60 to buy lunch, that was a tip I received to give it at lunch time then they will do the emptying the van at the other side well. These guys never stopped all day as we have a lot of furniture/boxes etc They couldn't have been more helpful and made the move feel really smooth so I didn't grudge buying them a nice lunch.

You can tip an employee. You don't tip a boss, a business owner or a self-employed tradesman.

My hairdresser is the business owner. People still tip her.