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A glass jar labeled 'tip.

Long-Distance Moving: How Much to Tip Movers (2023)

A man wonders how much to top his long-distance movers.
A man wonders how much to top his long-distance movers.

In recent years, surveys have suggested that many Canadians consider moving one of the most stressful things they have ever had to do. One survey, in particular, found that about 60% of people experience high stress levels as they move. Not to mention how much to tip movers in 2023.

One way you can eliminate the stress of moving is by hiring a moving company to help. Doing this when you’re going through the long-distance moving process will be especially important.

It would be best if you also considered tipping movers to show appreciation at the end of your long-distance move. Want to know how much to tip movers? We’ve put together a guide that’ll help you figure it out.

A man stands by his furniture and boxes, analyzing the moving services he has received.
A man stands by his furniture and boxes, analyzing the moving services he has received.

Begin by Analyzing the Long-Distance Moving Services You Received

There aren’t any rules that say you have to tip long-distance movers. If you don’t feel you received the best long-distance moving services possible from movers, you don’t need to provide them with a tip.

That being said, you should try to give movers at least a small tip unless they were rude while helping you move or broke some of your things due to their carelessness. It’ll be a nice gesture that will go a long way.

You should analyze the long-distance moving services you received to see how you think movers did. It’ll help you inch closer to deciding how much to tip movers in the end.

A moving truck, boxes, large furniture, map, and clock are many factors to consider during a long-distance move.
A moving truck, boxes, large furniture, map, and clock are many factors to consider during a long-distance move.

Consider All the Factors Associated With Your Long-Distance Move

While thinking about the long-distance services you received from movers, it would be worth considering some key factors associated with your move.

You might want to try to tip more than you might otherwise if your long-distance movers went above and beyond while helping you move. For example, you may want to go all-out with your tip for movers if:

  • They moved a lot of very heavy and/or bulky items for you
  • They spent time trying to find out how to move large furniture safely
  • They made the most of difficult conditions, like inclement weather
  • They showed up at your house with smiles and worked to make your life less stressful

If it’s clear that your long-distance movers went the extra mile for you, that’ll be reason enough to give them a tip. Better yet, it’ll be reason enough for you to give them a big tip that might be even more than you would normally give to someone providing a service for you.

A man tips his mover after a successful long-distance move.
A man tips his mover after a successful long-distance move.

Decide How Much to Tip Movers for Assisting You

Once you’ve taken a quick look back at how things went during your long-distance move, you can decide how much to tip movers once and for all. The tip amount you land on should directly correlate to how happy you were (or weren’t!) with the long-distance moving services you received.

If you were happy with how you and your things were treated overall, you might consider giving each mover who participated in your long-distance move between $5 and $10 per hour. So if you had four movers assist you with your long-distance move and your move took 6 hours total, that would mean tipping movers between $30 and $60 each.

Calculating how much to tip movers can get complicated if many different movers come in and out of your home, and you can’t keep tabs on them all. In this case, you might want to tip 10%, 15%, or even 20% of your total residential moving costs.

But at the end of the day, it will be up to you to decide on how good of a job they did. You’re free to be as generous as you would like.

A man gives movers a tip by giving them cash in the form of small bills.
A man gives movers a tip by giving them cash in the form of small bills.

Look For the Best Way to Give Tips to Movers

After you decide how much to tip movers, you’ll need to figure out how to send a tip in your movers’ directions. There will be a handful of ways you can go about tipping movers.

The easiest way to give movers a tip is by giving them cash. If you’re going to do this, make sure you have a bunch of small bills handy so that you can give each mover who helped with your long-distance move their tip.

You can also provide movers with tips in the form of checks. This won’t be the most convenient way to tip movers, but it’ll be a good way to keep track of how much you’ve spent on your long-distance move.

You might even want to go as far as to ask your movers what would be most convenient for them. It’ll be another way to show gratitude to them while giving them a tip.

A couple appreciates their movers and tips and thanks them for their hard work.
A couple appreciates their movers and tips and thanks them for their hard work.

Provide Movers With Tips and Thank Them at the Same Time

No matter how much you tip movers or how you decide to give them a tip, you should do more than hand them a tip and leave it at that. Movers will appreciate the tips you give them, but they’ll also appreciate any kind words you can share.

Don’t be afraid to let your long-distance movers know how much they helped you. They’ll love hearing that they could reduce stress levels during your move. It might end up meaning even more to them than your tip will.

A customer is reaching out to Parkview Moving to book their next move.
A customer is reaching out to Parkview Moving to book their next move.

Contact Us for All Your Long-Distance Moving Needs

Do you want to make a long-distance move without all the usual stress that moving can bring? Parkview Moving Co. is the moving company you can count on for all your long-distance moving needs.

We’re based in Ottawa, Canada and can serve those in and around this area. We promise to do such a good job that you’ll be wondering how much to tip movers by the time we’re finished. Feel free to use this guide to decide how large you would like your tip to be.

Reach out to us now to begin planning your long-distance move.

Ready to Experience the Parkview Moving Co. Difference?

Whether you are moving across Ottawa or across the country, you are in good hands when you choose the team at Parkview Moving Co. Contact our local moving company in Ottawa today for a free quote on all our moving services.

Or call 613.425.0020 to book your free in-home estimate.

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