moving costs

orangehills

We're moving on Thanksgiving day. How much would you tip movers? There isn't a ton to move- it's a small house and storage unit, nothing is super fancy, and it's only like a 10 minute drive. And it is Thanksgiving morning, not afternoon/night, so it wouldn't be taking away their dinner.. I had people tell me I should tip them $60 each!! Because it would be my fault they are working Thanksgiving, even though their company is open and suggested that day to me... And there are 4 movers! I can't afford that! The move itself is already $570. I was thinking $25 each and have water and donuts for them?

orangehills

Oh, and it is supposed to be raining that day too... so maybe I should tip more what with rain and the holiday? Ugh..

FirstMate06

I'm of the firm belief that the amount of tipping for some services is mostly discretionary.

The fact that they are working on Thanksgiving is not your fault, so I wouldn't tip more than you are comfortable with out of guilt.

Ultimately, I would see how efficient they are and how well they treat your belongings and tip based on that, but I would probably tip a $20 bill per person since there are 4 movers and offer them refreshments like you mentioned.

simplyelise

I only had two movers the last time I moved (side note- first move I used movers for and I will never go back!) and the minimum fee was for 2 hours but it only took them about an hour from start to finish. IIRC, I paid either $15 or $20 to each guy. I had everything really well organized and ready to go and didn't have a ton of furniture, mostly boxes, so it felt appropriate.

If you were feeling $25/each with water and donuts, that seems completely reasonable.

julieanne912

I usually do 20-30/person (depends on how many stairs they had to deal with) plus drinks and breakfast/lunch (whatever is appropriate for time of day). One time I did burritos, another time I did Subway sandwiches. I would also have water/gatorade on hand, not just coffee.

orangehills

ok yah it's from 8-12 or 9-1 depending on when they get there and how long it takes. I'll just have water for them and I'll think about the food then, what to get.... And I'll wait to see how long they take and how they do and how the weather is and tip off that, but I probably won't do more than $25 each.. since it sounds like that is appropriate! 

Erikan73

And if the temps are going to be cold, see if you have any dunkin doughnuts or starbucks open that day in your area where you could go & get a large to go container (with some to go cups) of coffee to be able to offer them to warm up. Or if you can get into your home early to be able to set up a coffee maker in advance & just start it when the movers arrive there, that would be nice too.

CuriousKiddosMama

A $60 tip each is absolutely insane. You are tipping, not paying them their wages! I agree with the $15-25 range each, and then have some food or whatever available.
Good luck! I hope everything goes well on thanksgiving for you.

dragonstarjk

I don't even think I would have thought of tipping them.  Is that bad?  H and I are really generous tippers, but it just doesn't usually occur to me to tip people who are doing the job their employer pays them to do.  Now, if I felt like they were more than just 'movers' and were gentle and personable and that sort of thing, I'd probably do $20 each.

When we had our new washer/dryer installed, H tipped the two service guys $25 each because they were willing to go into our basement and haul up the old ones, which was outside of the delivery arrangement.  I honestly don't think we would have tipped them if they had just showed up, installed, and left.