Tipping Movers in San Francisco: Do I Need To Tip?

Tipping Movers in San Francisco: Do I Need To Tip?

So much goes into coordinating a move from one residence to the next that the little things like the protocol for tipping moving crews gets lost in the chaos. We are here to help with any anxiety you might have regarding tipping in the moving industry.

Moving in San Francisco is time-consuming and difficult, and movers greatly reduce the amount of physical pain and anxiety you might feel while transitioning to a new residence. A moving company hires expert movers, and those experts move people on a daily basis, while the average person moves once every seven years. Therefore, moving crews understand how to wrap furniture properly to reduce the risk of damage. They have professional moving equipment that safely moves belongings through doors and up-and-down tricky stairwells and staircases. They pack trucks in an efficient manner, organizing the furnishings tightly, so they arrive undamaged.

“Moving is one of the most stressful things we go through, and hiring a moving company will help ease that stress and it will also save you time, and time is money,” Angela Gonzales, Operations and Quality Manager for Unpakt, told Forbes. “Hiring a moving company is also important if you want to minimize effort, maximize efficiency, and move to a new home as seamlessly as possible.”

Tipping Movers in San Francisco

Reputable movers in San Francisco have a strict policy against asking for tips from their clients; therefore, tipping is voluntary. However, while there are some exceptions, most moving experts agree that tipping is an established and essential practice in the moving industry.

“Having worked in the moving industry growing up, I understand this very well,” Desmond Lim, founder of QuikForce told realtor.com. “Tipping definitely helps the movers to be motivated and to cultivate a good culture when dealing with customers.”

Tipping Movers in San Francisco by Percentage

It is typical for a client to tip 15 to 20 percent of the total moving company cost in a metropolitan area like San Francisco. Statistics accumulated by T.J. Peterson, a digital marketing manager for Oz Moving & Storage told Fox News that 39 percent of people who hire movers tip 10 percent of the total cost of the move, 22 percent of movers tip 20 percent.

Lior Rachmany, CEO of Dumbo Moving + Storage, told realtor.com that moving crews deserve a 20 percent tip for every move.

“Moving is one of the most demanding service industries,” Rachmany said. “If you’re paying a waiter 15 percent to 20 percent just to serve your food, imagine paying someone to prepare the food in your kitchen, serve you, and clean up after you. That is what the movers are doing: prearranging, protecting, moving, unwrapping, and rearranging the items until the customer is satisfied, taking the waste away with them before they leave.”

Another survey conducted by apartmentguide.com found that 75 percent of responders tipped their moving crew. Though 71 percent of participants said they tipped, the amounts varied. One out of every four said they tipped 20 percent, 39 percent of the responders said they tipped 10 percent. The remaining participants tip by the hour or tip a flat fee.

Tipping Movers in San Francisco by the Hour

Movers often choose to tip each mover a certain amount of money per hour. These people typically give each mover a tip of $5 per mover per hour for an adequate and efficient move. For superior jobs that involve strenuous lifting, carrying, and placing, movers might receive up to $10 per person per hour.

Tipping Movers in San Francisco Using a Flat Fee

Lauri Ward, founder of redecorate.com, who provides relocation services, told “Today” that she prefers the flat fee approach.

“As a minimum, the crew usually gets $20-$30 per mover,” Ward said. “For more complex moves, tip $40 per mover.”

Assessing the Complexity and Difficulty of a Move in San Francisco

You can assess whether your move is complex or not by considering all the factors involved. Consider the length of time it takes the movers to get from your old residence to the new one, and the stairs or elevators the movers must negotiate during the move. In addition, factor the number of large items you are moving, and the overall amount of items you are moving. The weather conditions and the impact it has on the move and the movers should be considered as well.

A move in San Francisco is decidedly more difficult for movers than it is in other cities. Finding a place to park is not easy and sometimes parking is non-existent in some areas. The hills and street inclines are also a burden for movers in some areas. In addition, the cost of living in San Francisco is higher than most cities, so consider that as well, when considering flat-fee or hourly tipping averages across the country.

How to Tip a Moving Crew in San Francisco

You can give individual tips to each team member, or give the total tip for the entire team to the crew leader. The crew leader is obligated to share the team’s tip equally, and not splitting the tip is a serious offense that could lead to chief’s termination.

Typically, you tip the crew at the end of the move, after you sign the final moving paperwork, and the movers have done an efficient job. Often, there is a “gratuity” item line on the final bill, so you can pay the tip and the service fee by credit card.

Tipping Movers is Not an Obligation

If the movers were uninspired, treating furnishings and other valuables in deliberately careless ways then there is no obligation to tip them. If there is extensive damage, if the crew is rude and unprofessional, by no means are you required to tip the moving crew. As with any profession, tipping is only a reward for work that is well done. Performance is the key, so consider speed, efficiency, quality, care, and politeness.

Choosing a Moving Company in San Francisco

Significant research on moving companies should be done before you hire one. You should verify that the moving company has proper insurance in case the moving crew damages or loses furnishings or other valuables during the move. Also, moving companies should background-check and drug-test their moving crews.

“Moving families and individuals certainly changes the volume of belongings, so it’s even more important to work with a reputable mover that can ensure the safety of all items,” Jack Griffin, CEO at Atlas World Group, told Forbes. “Plus, adding children and pets into the mix means parents have even greater responsibility throughout the moving process. The last thing they’ll want to worry about is protecting their fragile belongings or treasured antiques.”

In addition, moving companies cannot transport hazardous materials that include ammunition, and flammables like paint, propane, and gas. This means that gas grills and lawn mowers might be an issue when it is time to move. Check with the movers on such items. Finally, moving companies often charge extra if there are impediments to assessing the new residence like stairs, elevators, and abnormal distances from parking areas to your old or new home.

“The number one mistake is not being picky with your mover,” moving expert and author Manuela Irwin  told Forbes. “Check [their] license with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and reputation online as well. Do not sign incomplete paperwork and acquaint yourself with all accessorial charges [that] may incur upon delivery.

Asking Friends or Family to Help with the Move

Transitioning to a new residence requires you to transfer utilities, decorate the residence, replace outdated appliances and fixtures, paint rooms, assemble and re-assemble furniture, and organize belongings. These are all time-consuming and stressful tasks, so organizing and moving your belongings by yourself with family and friends will add frustration and anxiety to the stresses of moving to a new residence.

“Renting a truck and recruiting friends is an option for small, local moves but certainly not ideal for long-distance moves, large moves, or family moves,” Gonzales said to Forbes. “If someone doesn’t have a lot of free time and is unable to move by themselves or with the help of some friends, hiring a moving company is an absolute must.”

San Francisco Moving Permit

A San Francisco Moving Permit is required to park moving trucks on the street, and the moving company does not acquire the permit. It is your obligation to apply and pay for the permit if parking is limited outside your new or old residence. In order to apply, a person must know the size of the moving truck and how much space the truck requires.

Permits are acquired through the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority (SFMTA). The moving permit process takes at least five days, so obtain it early, or it may not be received by your move date.

Preparing for a Move in San Francisco

You should schedule a moving company a month before the move date to ensure a reputable mover is available. Once you have scheduled a mover, begin packing items in advance of the move. Sort and label moving boxes, so that movers know where to place items in the new homes. 

A move no longer requires an assortment of boxes, and packing supplies and tools. There is now an eco-friendly approach, which also saves time and money. In addition, if you use this green approach, there is no longer an issue with finding cardboard boxes, which might fall apart during the move, or purchasing and assembling boxes, which are a burden to dispose of upon completion. 

The solution for San Francisco residents is to rent plastic moving boxes from ZippGo, which saves time and money, and reduces anxiety. This environmentally-friendly approach to moving boxes is affordable, and ZippGo delivers the boxes and other moving supplies to the your door with free, next-day delivery. There is no need to hunt for boxes, or buy and build them. There is no need for tape because the boxes have integrated locking lids. And, at the end of the move, ZippGo picks up the boxes, which reduces waste and time disposing of them. The containers are crush-proof and waterproof. They stack neatly without collapsing, taking up less room in the house and less room on the moving truck. The move will go quicker, and you will save money in the end.

The Approach to Packing Early

When you begin packing items for the move to your new home, you should pack items in your storage areas first. Items that are rarely if ever used, and have no sentimental value, should be the first items that you box. Next, pack up the rooms that you do not use on a daily basis, which might include a guest room or a rarely used bathroom. Lastly, pack items that you use every day. These everyday items include things in your kitchen, personal bathroom, and bedroom.

The Future of Tipping Movers in San Francisco

In the future, tipping may disappear altogether, Jonathon Deesing, community specialist at iMove, told realtor.com. Many large, national moving companies already ask their customers to “not tip” their movers. The competition of larger moving companies, who have a “no tip” policy, might force smaller, local companies to follow their lead, which would reduce margins across the board, and put some smaller movers out of business.

In addition, “that means compromising the performance as a company,” Deesing said, “or charging the customer more.”

In Conclusion

In addition to tipping, many customers keep their movers motivated by supplying them with cold drinks and snacks, or even a meal if the move occurs through a typical mealtime. However, providing drinks and food to movers is not considered a tip.

In the end, if you are unsure whether to tip, ask the moving company about their tipping policy. If the company says it isn’t an obligation, but it is appreciated, then tip according to the level of service provided by the moving crew.

For the millennial expat, experience drives experience

One thing that we are definitely learning about the millennial expat, is that experience is king. This seems to be true in every aspect of their lives, whether it’s the coffee shop that they frequent for their café lattes, or when it comes to trying a new restaurant, or choosing hotels or Airbnb accommodations when traveling.

And, experience certainly drives experience. So, the more enjoyable that experience, the more likely they are to want to repeat it, replicate it and recommend it to others.

The rise of the millennial expat

When it comes to their careers, recent studies show that millennials place international experiences very high up on their list of the employee benefits that they look for when considering a new position or going to work for a new company. This is not surprising, given the fact that they are much more driven by experience than perhaps other generations of the workforce.

According to MoveHub’s 2017 Global Moving Trends Report, 60 percent of people ages 18 to 35 have inquired about moving abroad. In general, the reasons they cited were: wanting to experience a different culture and having access to greater job opportunities or better salaries.

Practical solutions while living abroad

Regardless of the area of the world that the millennial expat might find themselves, there are certain creature comforts and conveniences that they want and expect to be able to enjoy while living outside of their home country.

For example, depending on the location, it might be prudent for millennial expats (or expats of any age), to have easy, affordable access to personal transportation. But, whether they are looking to lease or purchase a vehicle, they might experience some challenges. Those challenges can become quite magnified if they are moving to a country where they don’t have a local credit history.

No local credit history, no problem

The solution is easy, if you know where to look. International AutoSource (IAS) specializes in providing full-service personal transportation solutions for financing, purchasing and leasing vehicles to expats who don’t have a local credit history. Not only that, but IAS streamlines the process and provides maximum cost-savings to its customers throughout the world.

This can be a very attractive solution for millennial expats, because it allows them to quickly obtain a vehicle, without going through a cumbersome process, and it won’t cost them an arm and a leg.

And, if their assignment comes to an end earlier than expected, IAS also offers an early termination program that is standard for all vehicle leases. In the event that an expat’s assignment ends earlier than expected, IAS will honor up to the final 6 months or $2,500 of the remaining lease payments.

Peace of mind

At the end of the day, experience matters. So, the fewer things that expats have to worry about when moving to a foreign country, whether on a short-term or long-term work assignment, the better. IAS has designed various programs that are specifically geared to meet the changing needs of the expat community worldwide.

For more information or to request a free consultation, please contact IAS.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® meets in sunny Florida for 2018 Annual Meeting

Members of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® family from all over the United States and Canada traveled to Orlando this week to gather at the Renaissance Orlando for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s 2018 Annual Meeting.

People from all levels of the system – including franchisees, managers, and Home Office employees – kicked off this year’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 4, and the festivities ran through Tuesday night. The system met to hear system updates and the state of the moving industry, in addition to attending quality educational sessions on a variety of topics to better their businesses and focus on hitting 2018 goals. The meeting ended with an awards dinner and celebration to recognize the brand’s top performers.

“Without a doubt, this year’s Annual Meeting was nothing short of a success,” said TWO MEN AND A TRUCK CEO Jon Nobis. “The event gave everyone from franchisees to managers, marketers, vendors, and Home Office team members the opportunity to reconnect and further enhance relationships. We learned not just about key TWO MEN AND A TRUCK projects and updates, but also from each other on the directions we can take to continue to grow our brand and reach our 2018 goals.”

This year’s meeting kicked off the morning of March 4 with a moving prayer breakfast, followed by a Q&A session from founding-family members Melanie Bergeron, Brig Sorber, and Jon Sorber. Next, the executive team- President Randy Shacka, CEO Jon Nobis, Chief Talent Officer Sara Bennett, and Chief Financial Officer Brant Hartle- gave a state of the system address, highlighted plans and goals for the company, and focused on new strategies to help continue our outstanding growth.

“The brand is stronger today because of you,” said TWO MEN AND A TRUCK President Randy Shacka addressing the crowd. “We’ve never been as strong as we are today.”

Attendees were then treated to a keynote speech from Eric Chester, a leading voice in the world of employee engagement and workplace culture tactics. Chester has provided his insight in the world of workplace culture for more than 30 years, and spoke to attendees about igniting passion in the workplace and creating a culture where team members want to perform better and stick around longer with the company.

Day 2 of Annual Meeting was officially down to business for everyone there as a variety of education sessions were provided to those in attendance to help them continue growing their teams and businesses.

Sessions on payroll, ad fund, sales reporting, maximizing sales management, Value Flex®, and other relevant topics were presented by subject matter experts from Home Office, in addition to panels of experts made up of franchisees and managers from the system. There was also an extensive vendor marketplace for attendees to browse through and meet with vendors while learning about the latest and greatest in the world of moving, tech, marketing, etc., and find solutions that could further their business growth.

“It’s exciting to see how heavily involved the industry is, and how many vendors take time out of their schedule to be here for us,” said Brad Wheeler, the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchisee in Etabicoke, Ontario.

Everything wrapped up on March 6 for Day 3 of Annual Meeting, and it was a time to reflect not only on the events over the three day period, but also over everything that has happened over the last year for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.

Tuesday was capped off with a successful awards night ceremony, where members of every level in the company were recognized for their accomplishments, milestone achievements, hard work, and dedication to the brand. Awards were handed out for a wide-range of areas, including sales, customer service, community support, revenue, operational excellence, and many more. The safety award was even presented by current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Driver, Gray Goulding!

“As always, Annual Meeting was informative and the source for great ideas we are already beginning to implement at each of our locations,” said Alexa Lanier, a multi-unit marketing director at our Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Pompano Beach, and Boca Raton locations in Florida. “We always love the opportunity to see other members of our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK family, and celebrate each other’s successes.”

As always, it was a fantastic event for everyone who was able to attend, and highlighted all of the numerous reasons that make TWO MEN A TRUCK such a wonderful company to be a part of. We continue to be the leaders in the moving industry and always strive to hire outstanding people, and that’s what makes events like this possible.

Check out some of the great photos taken through the three day-period!

5 Things that can Mess Up Your Move

Significant events require a lot of planning and preparation to be a success; whether it is an important project at work, organizing a house party, or just wanting a dinner ready by six o’clock, plans have to be made and followed through on. Moving is no different, in fact, it may require even more attention and planning to take off correctly. Moving involves you picking up everything you have accumulated throughout your life at one house, and are now moving it to an entirely new location.

What to Watch out For

If you do not plan out what will be needed to make this move flawless, then you will face hardships and obstacles that may include you being unable to move in what and when you want. Here are some things that can ultimately ruin your next moving experience if you do not have a plan in place.

Don’t Wait, Initiate

Timing is everything when it comes to moving. It is essential that you start packing as soon as you can. This will ensure that all of your things are ready to be transported and no additional time will be wasted trying to rush and pack last minute.

Narrowing your Options

Do not meet with only one moving company. You need to consider shopping around to find, not just the best deal but also the best moving company. Sure, you may meet with the most cost-effective one, but they may also not offer packing services. Look around for exactly what you want and need.

Measure it Out

Make sure to measure out the location you will be moving. Take into account the amount of space you will have and how much space your things will be occupying. This will ensure you know which rooms would be best for having those items.

In the same vein as this, be sure to measure the entrances to your new home. This will show you which doors you can use to move your property through. If your new home has a garage, but the connecting door is too small to fit furniture through, you may be better off looking to the front door instead of committing to moving your sofa through a door that turns out to be too small.

Pack it Right

If you are not using a shipping service or using one that does not offer packing services, then it is up to you to pack everything up. Make sure you pack your stuff with care, making sure not to pack fragile items without the proper packing material to accompany them. Also make sure that with such fragile things you are using the appropriate boxes as well, as soft boxes can lead to your stuff being damaged during the trip.

Insure you Items

Even with everything thought out, appropriately packed, and everything was falling into place does not mean that accidents cannot still happen; damage can still occur. Look into getting your things insured in case any mishaps happen. This is especially true when you bring a moving company into the picture. Though it is true that these are professional movers, they are still human and can make mistakes. Your best bet is to get your things insured.

Southwest Movers

At Southwest Movers we love helping people move. If you are younger and not attached to an area, we highly recommend moving somewhere crazy and getting to know people somewhere new. But if you are looking at staying close to family or jobs, it doesn’t hurt to find smaller communities and increasing your commute. IF you have any questions at all, give us a call!

7 Best Real Estate Blogs for New Agents

Reading is always a great way to learn, and to that end, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best real estate blogs for agents to follow. Of course, reading doesn’t take the place of practical experience. But you might be surprised by just how much you can learn by reading about real estate. Become a real estate agent who stays on top of real estate news!

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite blogs for real estate agents. If you’re new to the game, let these blogs be your guide as you get your career underway.

Best real estate blogs to follow

Redfin. Redfin writers are also real estate professionals, and most of the information on their blog is based on the experiences of these working real estate agents. The blog focuses on bringing you up-to-date information on real estate markets throughout the United States backed with insights from their experts.

Mckissock.  When it comes to furthering your education, McKissock’s the place to go. Not only are there numerous educational resources, like real estate investing 101, but their blog is robust and provides helpful tips such as “How to Break Bad News to Real Estate Clients.” It’s updated regularly and always a good place to go for legitimate how-to tips as well as broader information about the industry as a whole.

Housing Wire. This site offers expert advice on what’s happening in the U.S. real estate market. It’s a site the offers “open commentary,” meaning there are a lot of different viewpoints expressed.

Zillow.  This guide is an excellent example for anyone looking to take advantage of new technologies in real estate and to stay in the loop on market trends. It has first person how-tos (such as Expert Tips From A House Flipper) and useful tips, such as how to increase a home’s value.

Realtor.  Here you’ll find a directory to many different blogs. The site aggregates blogs from all over its network. Want updates on real estate legislation? Technology? The economy? You’ll find that all here. It’s a must read for gaining a broad understanding of the real estate business.

Miller Samuel Inc. A great feature of this blog is that it includes regular podcasts. If you’re more of an auditory learner (or want something to listen to while you’re driving or working out), this blog should be your go-to. It also provides author Jonathan Miller’s analysis of the commentary presented in other blogs. If you’re interested in getting multiple perspectives on an issue, add this blog to your reading list.

Real Estate Tomato. Last but not least, this is a blog about creating real estate blogs. It isn’t updated all that frequently, but they do have a great cache of useful material if you’re going to incorporate blogging into your marketing strategy as a real estate professional. Anything you want to know about getting started in the world of real estate blogging—it’s here. Check it out if you’re feeling inspired.

Learn more about becoming a real estate agent

Is now a good time to become an agent? Have you been thinking about a career in real estate? Download our free guide, Is a Real Estate Career Right for You?

Please DO Tip And Feed The Movers, If You Feel Like It. Here’s How

One of the most common questions we face, and often one of the most difficult to answer, is whether to and how much to tip and feed the movers. The simplistic answer is that yes, you should tip and feed the movers, but only if you feel like it.

When and how much should you tip the movers?

If you aren’t happy with the movers, then by all means, don’t tip them. If the movers ask you for a tip, complain to their manager. But if you are happy, there are a number of ways you can do it.

One of the simplest and most direct ways of tipping is by the hour. If you are moving locally, odds are you’re paying by the hour anyway. Adding another $5.00 per mover per hour is pretty simple.

If you are moving out of state, though, you won’t have an immediate tally of the hours and common sense might suggest that you should wait to tip until your items are delivered. It’s not quite that clear-cut, though.

It’s rare that the same crew is at both the pick-up and delivery. In the majority of cases, your goods are transferred from a local truck to a semi-truck and then a crew experienced in long-distance moving will transport it.

The toughest part of the job is at the pick-up, so it’s not a bad idea to tip with that in mind. They are the people who wrap your furniture, they do any packing, and that’s all before loading and unloading the truck.

If you aren’t comfortable tracking the hours, you can tip as a percentage of the move (10 percent, perhaps). Just be sure to divide it equitably among the pick-up crew and the delivery crew. 60/40 is a good divide.

What should you feed the movers

While you are under absolutely no obligation to feed the movers, having food for them to eat can make the move go a lot quicker. Pizza and sandwiches are always favorites. Don’t serve food that’s too rich or your movers will be ready to take a nap. As for hydration, sports drinks are the unofficial official drink of movers. Stock up. They will drink more than you think.

Featured image via Steven Depolo/Flickr.

Top 5 Museums to Visit in Tacoma, WA

Want to see a slightly different, and definitely unique side of Tacoma, WA? Take a tour through these museums to get an up-close and personal look at art, historic cars, and more. You just might find out that Tacoma is far more fascinating than you thought. Here are the top 5 museums in Tacoma for you to visit.

1. Tacoma Art Museum

   Lovingly known as the TAM, this art museum has a special focus on artists and themes from the Northwestern United States. The Haub Family Collection of Western American Art gives a feel for expression through the years in many different mediums, an Early American Modernism collection offers a broader look at the nation’s evolving artists, and visitors can also peruse some classic European art and Japanese woodblock prints. Revolving exhibitions also keep the museum’s content fresh for returning visitors. If you’re hoping to find free museums in Tacoma, visit on the third Thursday of the month in the evening for no-cost admission.

2. LeMay – America’s Car Museum

   America has long been obsessed with cars, and the LeMay Car Museum pays homage to what those cars have to say about our history. With exhibits that explore early automobiles, the advent of NASCAR, and the history of Route 66 among other topics, car lovers will find themselves engrossed in both the stories and the cars themselves. The museum regularly hosts educational and entertaining events, and the Family Fun Zone will engage your little not-yet-drivers too.

3. Museum of Glass

   Here you’ll find exactly what the title suggests: glass. The museum is home to glass of many colors, forms, and artistic expressions. Here you can experience live glass blowing with the Artist in Residence program, a kids’ design glass collection, and visiting exhibits from artists around the world. Why not take a walk across the Chihuly Bridge, a pedestrian walkway and majestic piece of art connecting the Museum and downtown Tacoma with multiple installations of glass architecture and form? Interested artists can visit the Hot Shop! to see artists creating in real-time, or for those who want a more hands-on experience, sign up for a class in the education department. Schedules for the coolest glass museum in Tacoma are available on their website.

4. Children’s Museum of Tacoma

   It’s time to play! The Children’s Museum in Tacoma is a well-loved destination for kids and kids at heart. Parents love the “pay as you will” model that creates inclusivity for all families, and kids love the museum’s passion for promoting play. You might utilize the Museum’s Parents Night Out program and send the kids to play and have a pizza dinner at the CMT while the two of you have an evening out to yourselves. Each night is themed, and kids can typically play from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Engage your little ones in age-appropriate “playscapes” designed to encourage creativity and movement!

5. Job Carr Cabin Museum

   This tiny cabin located in Old Town Tacoma is a striking testament to Tacoma’s humble beginnings. On Christmas Day in 1864, Job Carr claimed 168 acres of land after making the long journey west. Visitors to the cabin can hear Job’s story, as well as tales of the others who came to live in the area as Tacoma slowly grew in the era of railroad expansion. Docents are available to answer questions, and in the warmer months of summer, they offer walking historic tours of downtown Tacoma, WA.

Wouldn’t ya like to frequent these museums? Moving here? Before you book movers, check out our post on the best Tacoma neighborhoods!