When it comes to moving home, there are a lot of extra costs to consider. From paying for packing materials to potentially needing to use self-storage, the costs can quickly add up.
One cost you may have not previously considered is tipping your removals company. While this isn't compulsory, this is something many people decide to do, especially if they're happy with the service they've received.
Removal companies are experts in their field, and this is why so many people choose to hire them. Tipping helps to show gratitude for the hard work they do. Many will go above and beyond to ensure your move is as successful and stress-free as possible.
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about tipping removal men.
Is The Removal Company Expecting a Tip?
While most removal companies and office relocation companies will appreciate receiving a tip, it's not something they will expect. This also applies to moving companies in London. Removals companies will provide you with a quote for using their service, and this is the cost they expect to receive.
The vast majority of removal companies provide excellent service. They will often go above and beyond for the customer to ensure they are happy with their move. While this shouldn't be done to receive a tip, most will appreciate this.
Removal men should never request or ask for a tip, even if they have provided an extra service as a goodwill gesture. Tipping is always down to the discretion of the customer.
A tip should always be provided out of choice, rather than obligation. You should tip the removals company because you want to. It would be unfair for removal companies to assume every customer will tip.
Compare Removal Company Costs
Save up to 70% on removal costs
Used by over 1 million movers in the UK
When Might I Decide to Tip?
The question of do you tip removals in the UK is something a lot of people consider when using a removals service. Some customers decide they are going to tip the removals company when they receive their removal quote and before the removal has started. They may choose to set some money aside to add to their total bill.
However, the vast majority of people will wait until the movers and packers have completed the job before deciding whether or not to tip. They can then decide whether the service they have received warrants a tip.
If the removals team have been particularly friendly and helpful, this is a good sign to tip. It’s good to appreciate when removal companies go the extra mile to make your move as quick and easy as possible.
How Much Should I Tip the Removals Company?
One of the most common questions is "how are you supposed to tip removal men?". If you do decide to tip, the amount you choose is entirely your choice.
There isn’t a set amount of money that's expected or that you should provide. On average, around 10% of the total removal cost is a reasonable amount to give. You can choose to provide more or less than this.
A tip is a polite gesture. You shouldn't tip more than you can afford.
The best way to tip removal men is to provide a set amount of money with the final bill. The workers can then split the money between themselves. You can tip each worker individually.
Compare Removal Company Costs
Save up to 70% on removal costs
Used by over 1 million movers in the UK
Can I Tip the Removals Men With Cash?
You can tip the removal men with cash.
This is often preferred, especially if you’re paying for the service in cash. Even if you’re paying with a card, providing a cash tip separately is often acceptable.
If the removal company has requested a card payment or bank transfer for the total cost, they may prefer to receive a tip in the same way.
Ultimately down to the preference of you and the removals company, so it’s always worth double-checking beforehand.
Alternative Ways to Thank Your Removals
If you’d rather not tip your movers, there are other ways you can show your gratitude and appreciation. Here are four popular options many people choose:
Pay for lunch
A popular way of saying thanks is to provide a set amount of money for the removalists to have lunch. Whether this is during the job, or after they’ve finished, this will be appreciated.
Make food for them
You can make food for the removal men. This could be a full meal, or something as simple as a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea. Keeping removalists full and refreshed will emphasise your appreciation.
Buy a gift
Instead of providing a tip, you can buy a gift for the removalists. Some popular choices include chocolates and beer. It's the thought behind the gift that matters more than the gift itself.
Leave a review
Leaving a review is always welcomed, and is free to do. It's worth considering in addition to providing a tip. A few kind words go a long way and can help the company receive more trade in the future.
Compare Removal Company Costs
Save up to 70% on removal costs
Used by over 1 million movers in the UK
Removals FAQ’s
How Much Notice Do Removal Companies Need?
On average, you should always aim to provide a moving company with 4-6 weeks of notice when moving house.
This is to ensure they’re able to fit you into their schedule. Some may need more or less notice. For more information, read our guide on last-minute moves.
Should I Pay a Deposit?
Most removal companies expect a deposit to secure your booking. This should be a part of the total cost, rather than the full amount up front. The majority of companies will ask for the rest of the payment after the job is complete.
In rare instances, people may need to pay the removal costs upfront. If so, an Advanced Payment Guarantee (APG) is worth considering. This will ensure you receive a refund if the removals company doesn’t fulfil the contract terms you’ve agreed on.
Do Removal Companies Pack For You?
Most removal companies provide a packing service as part of their removal package. This helps provide peace of mind that your goods are safe and secure.
Some removal companies may also offer a partial packing or an owner-packed service. There are packing and moving companies where they will do the packing for you. Therefore, it’s important to research this when selecting a removal company. This helps to ensure they offer the service you need.
A lot of removal companies offer more services, such as self-storage. If you choose to use these extra services, this can impact your decision of how much you choose to tip.
If you are looking to do the packing yourself, we have a guide on moving house packing tips.
If you're looking for a removals company, our comparison service places you in contact with up to 6 trusted and verified companies.
