While we’d congratulate you on your plan to move, there are many things to do before that, such as packing up your belongings and arranging transportation. One thing that may not be on the top of your mind is tipping the movers. How much to tip movers when moving internationally? Read on to learn how to properly reward your movers for their hard work.
If you’re relocating abroad for the first time and “how much should I tip movers” is one of the numerous questions on your mind, don’t worry – the math is simple. Tipping in the relocation industry isn’t the same as tipping in a restaurant, for example. The rule of thumb is that you’re supposed to tip every mover $5 per hour of their service. This stands for cases when you’re satisfied with the work done, of course. Although no one can make you give tips to anyone, showing gratitude for a job well done, especially such a physically demanding job, is considered polite.
Factors That Can Help You Determine How Much to Tip Movers
While employing professionals is not always required for local or even cross-country relocations, it is almost always necessary for those that are international. Even if you’ve moved before and know what should be a part of your relocation to-do list, handling complex logistics and dealing with taxes and customs are far from simple and direct jobs and can be a lot to tackle.
Additionally, sometimes customs will require an international moving company to attest to the goods that are packed, necessitating their handling of your belongings – which shows that getting packing services is one of the relocation essentials. As a result, if you intend to live in another country, anticipate having relocation assistance to make your dream a reality. Still, one thing that often confuses those who hire international relocation crews is whether or not the tip is required – and how much you should tip movers if you decide to go for it.
So, how much do you tip movers? Before we get into detail, you should consider offering gratuity regardless of the service you received. Still, remember that the tipping for international shipment will depend on these specific features of service:
- Professional approach to the job – The personnel of the international shipping company should be highly professional. Moving overseas is expensive, especially when we go abroad. Therefore you should expect to be treated professionally at every turn.
- Skilled and experienced workers – If you choose the moving business wisely, you should anticipate that every member of their team has undergone extensive training in relocation-related matters. Above all, you should expect them to be punctual and effective, and they should have sufficient experience handling various types of belongings.
- Making sure the entire process goes smoothly – If your relocation company arrives at your house on time and gets to work right away, the entire moving process will go smoothly. Additionally, they shouldn’t take rests one after another – instead, they should use their full effort to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
- Movers who can handle unexpected complications – The relocation team must be capable in many ways – for example, they must be able to handle unforeseen circumstances like terrible weather.
- Team members who know how to pack and move fragile items – The team should be capable of handling delicate goods, packing dishes, and taking good care of artwork, glass, and any other priceless or breakable items when packing your entire home.
Are You Actually Required to Tip the Relocation Crew?
You may think that because movers are just doing their jobs, you don’t need to tip them. They are merely performing their responsibilities. But it is not at all easy, as you can probably guess. Hours must be spent packing, carrying heavy items, and taking care of all your valuables. Yes, it is their work, and they will be compensated accordingly. But by leaving a gratuity, you show them that you value their labor and are happy with the level of service they provided.
We all understand the importance of tipping. On the other hand, you should be aware that tipping professional movers is not obligatory – no one can make you do it, and it’s a sign of your goodwill. However, you should do so if you want to show your appreciation for the work done. At the end of the day, the decision is up to you.
When Not to Tip Your Relocation Crew?
So, under what circumstances is it appropriate to forego gratuity? You shouldn’t feel bad about not tipping the staff if they are performing subpar work at your home. After all, we often offer individuals praise for a job well done, and you shouldn’t leave tips if you’re not happy. Here are some of the examples of service that probably doesn’t deserve to be tipped:
- When your movers arrive way after it was scheduled or bring an improperly sized truck,
- When your movers appear to be working slowly on purpose, such as by wrapping objects in more materials than necessary or moving slowly,
- When your packers mistreat or damage your belongings, and you end up doing the majority of the task yourself.
When to Tip More Than Usual?
There are some cases that deserve a tip bigger than usual – for example, when movers must handle bulky or extremely delicate things, and they are considerate and personable. Perhaps you’ve noticed that they have gone above and beyond to assist you with some difficult tasks. Be sure to thank them by tipping them.
Tipping During an International Move – What You Should Know
Considering that you intend to move and experience the benefits of relocating, you are already aware of the amount of effort that will be required of you in order to move efficiently, particularly when we’re talking about relocating abroad. You can make things easier for yourself by working with an experienced company that can provide you with stellar international moving services and takes care of everything.
If you wish to relocate without any incidents or relocation mistakes, having reputable relocation workers by your side is crucial. This is why you need to choose a moving company wisely. When the job is finished, you should give your international movers a bonus. Here are some recommendations to assist you if you are unsure of how to proceed.
How Much to Tip Your Movers During an International Move?
So, how much should you tip movers? This entirely depends on you. Nobody has the authority to specify the precise amount of the tip. You are not required to tip between 15% and 20% of your whole amount, as you might at a restaurant or other service provider. There’s an unspoken rule that you should give each mover $5 for every hour they work. Therefore, if your movers took about 4 hours to transfer your goods, you should give each member of the team a $20 tip.
You should think about offering your movers more money, between $40 and $60, if they put a lot of effort into the relocation and spend virtually the entire day carrying your belongings. But ultimately, it’s up to you, and the number should fit into your relocation budget. Your tip should be an accurate reflection of the work completed and your level of satisfaction with the service.
Do You Tip Movers When They Load or Unload?
Besides asking, “how much do I tip movers” it’s important to ask ourselves when to tip. Do you leave tips for your relocation crew at both ends? There won’t be any questions about this if you’re relocating locally because the same team of workers will handle the loading and unloading, so once bonuses are given, you’re done.
However, if you’re moving to another country, there will be two different teams managing your possessions, so you should have tips for both crews ready. If this is the case, you won’t know how many employees will be working at the location in your new big city, so you should get in touch with the business to find out.
Should You Tip Everyone?
Don’t feel obligated to give each crew member the same bonus – or even give everyone a tip. Feel free to thank the workers if any of them demonstrated particularly strong commitment on the day of the relocation – those should be given the greatest bonus. However, those who don’t put forth their best effort to give you the best relocation experience possible shouldn’t receive the same recognition.
Do You Have to Tip in Cash, or Are There Other Payment Options?
The most typical method of awarding bonuses when relocating abroad is with cash, just like in any other service industry. However, some businesses can offer you additional payment options, like checks or including the gratuity in the total cost.
One of the reasons for relocating is a new job – asking the employer if the relocation expenses can be covered is one of the most crucial things to do if your move is motivated by getting a job abroad. Remember that many businesses do offer relocation benefits to their staff.
Are There Some Other Ways to Show Appreciation to Your International Mover?
If you’re looking for something more than tipping professional movers, there are a few other methods to express your gratitude and appreciation. You can take a few actions to simplify the job of your relocation crew before they show up. You can clear all the passageways and take out everything that is unnecessary to make walking around and carrying boxes easier. Of course, don’t forget to get rid of items movers won’t move – it’s best to avoid any confusion on the relocation day.
Be sure to be accessible and available to assist your crew with any inquiries while they provide relocation and packing services. You should designate someone to welcome your workers and show them around the house if you are unable to be there on the day of the move. Once the move is over, make sure to write a review on their site and perhaps send them a thank-you email if you are happy with the services.
Provide Snacks and Beverages to Your Relocation Crew
You can provide them with a drink, but make sure it’s non-alcoholic (relocation workers aren’t allowed to drink on the job!). This is a wonderful way to thank your movers. Providing water bottles, coffee, sodas, or fruit juices helps keep them hydrated – this would be a considerate gesture, given that they will become dehydrated over the day.
They’ll be more productive as a result of this. At some point, your mover will eventually get tired and hungry, and it would be helpful to provide them with food. If you’re not sure what to get, ask the workers. Let them use the bathroom and ensure that they have access to toilet paper, paper towels, and hand soap.
Figuring Out How Big of a Tip to Give Is Easy – The Hard Part Is Actually Finding the Best International Movers
When it comes time to move internationally, finding the right movers can seem like an impossible task. How will you know who is legitimate and who is a relocation scam? With a little bit of online research, you will be able to find a trustworthy international moving company that will make your relocation a breeze. With the help of professionals, you can rest assured that your belongings will be handled with care and delivered safely to your new home on the other side of the world.