Relocation from one home to another is a challenging and stressful process. It takes time and nerves to organize everything, and that’s why having professional help is something to consider. However, the important part of the move is also knowing how to tip movers for helping you with their reliable services (whether it is a storage facility or efficient packing) and providing you with the best experience.
Once you decide to move, keep in mind that figuring out how to move won’t be the easiest thing to do, especially if you’re relocating for the first time. That’s why having professional long-distance moving services is definitely something you should consider. Yes, the DIY option could be cheaper (the average cross-country move costs around $4,000) but this means you won’t have a reliable car shipping team and no assistance in the form of a packing service. Not to mention storage facilities, which won’t be available at discounted prices (or even for free!), and no moving insurance. Now, all those benefits deserve a reward, right?
Relocation belongs to the service industry because its purpose is to make your life easier. Even though there’s no mandatory gratuity per se, you should still consider it if the professionals provided you with a stress-free move to a new state. It is always a good practice to show how satisfied you are with the service in cash, right?
Now, we all know that having a drink in a cafe isn’t the same as leaving your precious belongings to a team of unknown people. It’s no wonder you’re feeling anxious about the relocation to another state or are even fearing the move. There are many things that are at stake – your family heirlooms, treasured belongings, and your wellbeing.
Are you having second thoughts about hiring someone because one of your friends has had a bad experience? There are about 7,000 relocation companies in the US, and unfortunately, not all of them have good work policies. Some companies don’t respect their job and do the work poorly. On the other hand, others do everything to make a move efficient and improve the reputation of the industry. How can you not reward that effort and dedication?
When it comes to things we don’t have to do but should, it’s good to stick to common sense. The more effort the relocation crew puts into each service, the bigger the gratuity. For example, if you want some bulky items to be moved, like a refrigerator or a piano, that’s surely something you couldn’t do on your own.
Deciding whether tipping the crew is a good idea and if you should do it can be tough. So consider some of these things:
People forget many things when relocating. And to be honest, it is quite normal since there are many things on the moving to-do list that need to be done before the big day. That’s why you should consider all sides, both good and bad, when hiring a relocation company and deciding whether you should tip a mover.
On the one hand, the relocation will probably be much more expensive, but the experienced team will make the move hassle-free. Also, there are some hacks on how to save money for the move – ensure you know how to declutter and donate the unwanted items to a charity such as Goodwill, or even sell them for some extra cash.
Also, if you don’t have the luxury of another relocation mistake, whether you’re moving at the last minute or you’re out of patience, leave the job to the professionals.
There are some things you can’t control. Other things just require more attention and care. For example, let’s say you’re relocating with elderly parents. In that case, you surely don’t want to risk their safety and health, as well. You can use all the relocation hacks you can find, but sometimes, help from a professional mover is more than required. But even if you just want a stress-free move to a new home, without panic on the moving day, consider what to tip movers.
Planning the finances for a relocation to a new home isn’t the easiest thing to do. Think about all the services that might be necessary, like storage for some of your belongings or maybe additional help with the wrapping up process.
The best way to stay organized is to make a relocation expenses checklist and start saving some money for the relocation company and each service you need. However, give yourself time for this task and include one part of your budget for tipping movers, as well. You surely don’t want to find yourself at the end of the move with any unexpected expenses.
No matter how hard and tricky this job may sound, calculating tips for relocation crew is not rocket science. The standard tipping formula is 20%, but when it comes to long-distance moves, that can mean spending a fortune just for showing appreciation. That being said, you can use a more frugal formula – $4-5 for each mover per hour of work. For example, if two movers took three hours to pack up your household, each would receive $12-15.
One of the questions people often don’t think about is when the right time to tip movers is. It is completely understandable since the relocation day can be quite chaotic, especially if you’re moving alone.
Should you wait until the end of the relocation or stop the crew in the middle of their job? Or split tips and give one part at the beginning and the rest when the job is over? Questions like these could go on forever, and there’s a quite simple answer – show your gratitude after the services. It is an unspoken rule, and that way, you can actually estimate how satisfied you are. However, keep in mind that when it comes to long-distance moves, there are two different teams:
Both of them should get tips, so plan your budget wisely. Both teams should have their rewards for the job well done.
People forget many things when relocating, but tipping relocation companies if you’re satisfied with each service they provide shouldn’t be omitted. So, once you know the right time to do it, you should also learn who should be tipped.
Each professional relocation company has a person in charge of the entire group and the lead mover. This eases the whole process; however, there are some other things to consider:
Many larger companies will offer to include the tipping part in the final bill. However, smaller ones probably won’t. So after you think about the moving expenses and set a relocation budget, you should decide how to carry out the payment. There are other methods that you could use. Especially nowadays, when you’re relocating during Coronavirus and no-contact is more than important:
Once all the benefits of moving have convinced you it is the right decision, it’s time to start organizing the move. This is the part when you should think about every little detail, not just ensure all the relocation essentials and book the storage facility, but also be a great host. So when the moving team comes to your house, ensure they feel comfortable getting around your place. This means you should do some of the following things:
With these unnecessary – but important – steps, you’ll ensure that the whole move goes more smoothly. Also, sometimes this kind of gesture means more than a monetary reward. Even if it will just cheer somebody up, it is worth doing it, right?
An efficient move isn’t always the easiest thing to achieve. However, as long as you check if the moving company is legitimate, everything else should go smoothly. So when everything is done, and you settle into the new house, don’t forget to leave a review on the relocation crew’s website. It will mean very much for future customers to read a former customer’s positive comment.
Dealing with relocation scams is a challenging process. But even legitimate companies that don’t screen and train their employees can be a hassle to work with. When the relocation crew is late or careless packing your belongings, know that not giving tips is entirely OK. Luckily, there are many things you can do to prevent that. In the video below, see all the red flags that indicate relocation scammers.
When all is said and done, both sides should be satisfied – you as a customer and the crew as providers of services. Don’t neglect all the possibilities you’ll get when hiring professionals – a storage facility, packing services, and many others. In a situation when you have to do everything on your own, a helping hand will be more than welcome.
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