Moving etiquette – Do you tip?

To tip or not to tip? Surprisingly there is a lot of controversy and no hard and fast rules regarding tipping movers. Most will agree that the larger moving companies, like Suddath, do not expect tipping of personnel, furthermore, movers who operate on a moving tariff are not allowed to accept more than what is on the bill of lading.

And while it is not encouraged or expected, some customers insist on this practice. Whether it’s buying a pizza or a bucket of chicken or offering $20-$50 to the crew, the social norm for many people is to tip service personnel who perform work.

At Suddath, we strive for every move to exceed our customers’ expectations and are often asked what a customary tip is to reward exceptional service. Larger companies like us encourage customers who feel a crew went above and beyond to send a letter of praise to the moving company. It is also important to fill out the customer survey, as many drivers and crews are ranked by their quality scores.

If a customer still insists on tipping, below are some helpful tips provided by the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA).

FROM ASMA:

An owner-operator says:
“I would say as far as tip goes, typical would be from $20 to $40 per man per day and leave [it] at that.”

From a former mover on the AMSA staff: 
“Tipping is a difficult topic since tariff movers cannot accept more than what is on the bill of lading. However, in reality, tips can range from $20 to $100 per man per day depending on the difficulty of the move. A good basic rule of thumb is $1 per pound for each day of service. For a 15K move, $150 for [the] loading crew and $150 for [the] unloading crew.”