How to Tip Movers From Seattle to California and Vice Versa?

For long-distance moves, it’s common to tip each mover $20-$40, depending on the quality of service and complexity of the move. If the move was particularly difficult or the movers went above and beyond, you may want to give a higher tip. At the same time, if you’re not satisfied with the service provided, know that tipping is not mandatory. Additionally, if you choose to give bonuses, it’s best you use cash and make sure each member of the team gets their part.

How Much Should You Tip Movers From Seattle to California?

Movers are an important part of any long-distance relocation. They are the ones who are physically responsible for transporting your belongings from one state to another safely and damage-free. And while they are paid for their services, it is customary to tip experts for a job well done. The question is – how much to tip?

When it comes to tipping relocation experts, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The amount you tip should be based on a number of factors, including the quality of service, the distance of the move, and the complexity of the move. With the average long-distance move, the good rule of thumb is to set aside $40 per mover per day. So, if you have a six-person crew divided into two teams, you should plan on tipping them a total of $240.

However, if the team leaves a wonderful first impression and goes above and beyond on the big day, know that this sum is not set in stone. Relocating to a new city takes a lot of work, which makes movers who are also skilled packers especially valuable. So when should you think about tipping more? Consider the following situations:

• When you have a lot of bulky and heavy furniture,
• When you have a lot of steps in your house,
• If the team helps you with move-out cleaning,
• When there are many delicate items that need to be handled with care,
• If the team has provided you with some valuable relocation advice,
• When you move in winter or happen to relocate during the rain, and the crew needs to work in poor weather conditions,
• If the workers are friendly and kind.

Overall, How Much Should You Tip Long-Distance Movers?

The first factor to consider is the quality of service you receive from your movers. Did they arrive on time? Did they work diligently throughout the day? Did they take care of your belongings? If you answer “yes” to all three questions, we recommend giving them a well-deserved bonus. However, if you answer “no” to any of those questions (or all of them), feel free to lower the initial sum or not tip them at all.

The second factor to consider is the distance of your move. A cross-country move will obviously be more expensive than a move to a new home down the street. Not only that but the greater the distance, the more careful your things must be packed into boxes and relocation trucks. Keep in mind that the average distance from California to Seattle is just below 1,000 miles, so if you wish to provide bonuses, they should be above $30 per mover.

Of course, before determining the tipping amount, it is important to consider the complexity of the move and the time required, as well as the number of items being transported and their type. Keep in mind that it’s not the same where you plan to move to a new city alone and start living on your own, on the one hand, and relocating a four-bedroom family home, on the other. The total sum of tips should be directly proportional to the difficulty of the relocation process.

Should You Base Bonuses on the Percentage of the Total Bill?

In general, basing bonuses on percentage can be considered a relocation mistake, at least when it comes to long-distance moves – the one that can severely impact your relocation budget. Keep in mind that interstate relocations are costly as is. The average cost of cross-country services is between $2,200 and $5,700, but for large moves, it can be even more expensive. At the same time, the higher the bill is, the bigger the bonus must be. That is why one of the best relocation tips you can get is to opt for a flat amount based on the work that awaits the crew.

Do You Have to Tip Cross-Country Movers?

Generally, you are not obliged to tip your cross-country movers. However, if they have provided you with exceptional service, it is certainly appreciated. Many people choose to tip their movers for their effort to make their move as smooth as possible. After all, remember that each move demands a lot of relocation-related knowledge as well as hard physical work and extra care. Don’t forget that your movers are working hard to get you safely to your new home, so a tip is always a nice gesture.

When Should You Tip a Crew From a Cross-Country Moving Company?

When is the most convenient time, logistically speaking, to tip your movers? Tipping your staff after the move is customary in the relocation industry. However, what should you do if you have two different crews for loading and unloading, as would be the case with the interstate move? When you have to work with two separate teams, make sure to pass along the bonus to the first team before the truck leaves.

Remember that you can even give bonuses when the crew shows up if you have faith in them and want to encourage them to help you move efficiently and safely. This, however, is not customary.

Is There a Situation Where You Shouldn’t Tip?

Are you supposed to tip moves, or is it okay not to provide bonuses? If you’re not happy with their job performance, then it’s perfectly acceptable not to tip. This also applies to situations when you become a victim of relocation scams, but also to some less difficult situations.

In these cases, not only should you not give bonuses, but also make sure to speak with the relocation company and explain all about the subpar service the crew provided. Lousy service can negatively affect all of your previous relocation day preparation, and it should not be rewarded in any way. Here are some examples of the behavior of a bad relocation team:

• They arrive late,
• They are not careful enough and end up damaging your house or your belongings,
• They don’t care how you’ve labeled the boxes and just place them wherever they see fit,
• They take frequent “breaks” and put little effort into tasks on their relocation to-do lists.

At the same time, if some problem occurs, don’t write bonuses off right away. Instead, assess how the crew’s handling the issue that has occurred. Do they care about fixing the problem, or are they disinterested and just want to let it pass? Whether you will provide a bonus or not should depend on this answer.

How to Tip Movers – Is There a Best Way to Do It?

When it comes to providing bonuses, the best way to do this is by cash. Tipping in cash gives you complete control over who gets what when it comes to your gratuity. First of all, you can rest assured that gratuity will go to workers, not the company. Secondly, it’s better to give cash to each member of the relocation team because you never realize how the firm will divide up the tips.

Additionally, it allows you to provide a bigger bonus for those who went above and beyond to help you move and a lower one for those who lack work ethics. Lastly, giving cash to each person will always be more meaningful because you are compensating the team directly and showing you truly appreciate their efforts. When a kind act is directly related to them, people value it far more.

However, if you plan on tipping with cash, make sure you go to the ATM and withdraw it when preparing for the movers to arrive – it won’t take much of your time, even if you have a last-minute move and need to do everything in a hurry. Additionally, communicate with the long-distance moving company to get informed of how many professionals will be working on your move in order to calculate the right amount.

Can You Use Some Other Payment Method?

When getting long-distance moving services, you can ask a relocation company about their credit or debit card policies. You might be allowed to tip your movers, for instance, by asking your moving firm to make a separate transaction just for that purpose. It might be useful to record the tip via your credit card if your relocation is being paid for as a part of a corporate move or if you need the receipt for any other reason.

In addition, most companies that offer relocation and packing services will accept personal checks as a form of payment. However, it is always best to call the company in advance to confirm that they do indeed accept this way of payment. Some companies may have a policy against accepting them – checking this information must not become one of the things you forget to do.

What Are Some Additional Ways You Can Treat the Crew?

Of course, tips are not the only way to show your appreciation. If you need to reduce relocation costs and can’t spare enough money for tipping or you simply wish to welcome the workers in the best way possible, you should:

• Always be kind and ready to answer their questions,
• Provide beverages such as water, coffee, or cocoa (just not alcohol),
• Make sure professionals maintain their energy with the help of meals and snacks.

If the staff is doing admirably and you would like to express your gratitude in a way other than by paying, you might want to think about submitting a review online. Positive online reviews are an excellent method to express your gratitude for exceptional service. They are always appreciated and can be very helpful to others looking for relocation experts.

With All of This Knowledge, Tipping Won’t Be a Problem

Tipping is a way to show your gratitude for a job well done, and we discussed everything you need to know about it, from the amount to the right time. As long as you follow these simple guidelines, you won’t have anything to worry about. Now all you have to do is check out some of the best movers from California to Seattle (or vice versa), and let them take care of everything for you so that you can relax and enjoy your new home. And when the time comes, provide bonuses accordingly.