Knowing when and how much to tip for removal can be pretty confusing. Then again, regardless if you’re tipping junk removers or waitstaff, figuring out a tip is daunting.
Don’t sweat it. We know to know when to tip and how much to tip, especially when it comes to home services like junk removal.
Keep reading for what to consider when tipping your junk removal professionals.
Should You Tip for Junk Removal:
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Are You Supposed to Tip for Junk Removal?
When it comes to the question of whether or not you should tip your junk removal service, the answer is, “yes” and “no”.” Just as you would for any other service, you should tip your junk haulers that do an exceptional job between 10% – 20%.
You’ve booked a pickup with a junk removal service to come and pick up your old mattress set or refrigerator, and you’re more than a little nervous that something will go wrong. Instead, everything ends up going very smoothly.
It’s important to remember that those in the junk removal business shoulder much more risk than a server or hairdresser does. You’ll eventually get over a forgotten side of mayo or a too-short haircut, but a hole in your wall or shattered heirloom is much more serious.
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How Much to Tip Your Junk Removers
Unlike for waitstaff or other service jobs, tipping your junk hauler isn’t necessarily based on a percentage of the total cost of the service. The industry standard is to give each person their own tip based on the difficulty of the pickup.
Figuring Out How Much To Tip
Tips for junk haulers really depend on the complexity and difficulty of the pickup. Some questions to consider would be:
- Do you have stairs?
- Is parking an issue?
- Is the heat or AC broken?
- Is it raining/snowing/stormy?
- Is there an elevator available?
- Are the items hard to access?
- Are there any time constraints?
- Are the items soiled, dirty, or infested?
- How many items are being picked up?
- Are the items particularly big or heavy?
- Does the pickup require special tools/equipment?
- Do your items need to be taken apart to get them out?*
- Does the hauler have to take a ferry to get to the pickup?
- Does the hauler have to move your stuff around to get to the items being picked up?
* NOTE: LoadUp does not make any physical changes to the structure of your home, such as removing doors, banisters, or moving items to get to your old junk. We do offer disassembly!
How much you should tip your junk hauler is completely relative, since it’s up to you to decide how hard you believe they worked. Look at the crew’s work ethic and how they communicate with each other to know if they’re really doing their best on your pickup. If you can tell that they’re working hard to take care of your property, give them a little extra.
Obviously, if they go above and beyond for you, it’s certainly appropriate to tip. Pay attention to the service you receive, and if they do anything to try and make your experience more pleasant and accommodating, you may even want to tip a little more than you would have otherwise.
If they’re watching out for your floors and walls or breaking a sweat running from the truck back to the house to collect the next item, this shows an effort to make your pickup go smoothly and prevent any issues.
Look at it this way: if they weren’t there, you would be the one doing all the heavy lifting. It makes sense to thank them for making your life easier by giving them a tip.
Let us do the heavy lifting!BOOK A PICKUP ❯
Also be considerate of how long the pickup will take. If they’re working quickly and efficiently but the pickup still takes longer than an hour or two, providing food or drinks (non-alcoholic, of course) is a kind gesture.
Junk haulers are constantly on the move, and it isn’t exactly food-safe to store a sandwich in a truck cab for 9 hours in the 93° weather. Hungry workers equal grouchy workers, so having some nourishment on hand tends to keep energy, spirits, and performance high.
Keep in mind, when a junk mover has to spend more time picking up your items than planned, they will likely be late for (or have to reschedule or cancel) the rest of their customers’ pickups for that day. They’ll also be missing out on the income from other pickups.
DID YOU KNOW? LoadUp makes removal even easier with disassembly service for $20 per item!
Why to Reward Excellent Junk Removal Service
Let’s face it. Junk removal is hard work. From inclement weather days to difficult pickup situations like flights of stairs, oversized items or long trips back and forth to the truck, junk removal pros work really hard to provide a service that can often change your life.
Consider the following scenario: Your junk removal crew shows up on schedule and surprises you by getting everything gone at sonic speed. Not to mention how carefully they maneuver your unwanted sectional sofa onto the truck from your third-floor apartment without a scratch.
Mattress set on your nerves?BOOK A PICKUP ❯
You breathe a sigh of relief and take in the beautiful view of your junk-free living space. . . until you think to yourself, “Wait, am I supposed to tip the junk haulers?” Well, you’re definitely not alone. There is a lot of confusion surrounding tipping for junk removal, and for a service that (hopefully) isn’t used on a regular basis, it can be a detail that’s easily overlooked.
Like all members of the service industry, junk removers often rely on tips as a major part of their income, so if you get great service, it’s a nice thing to thank them for their job well done by giving them a tip.
Does LoadUp Let Their Loaders Accept Tips?
Yes. At LoadUp, tipping your Loaders isn’t expected or required, but tipping is a great way to thank Loaders for their excellent work. You are free to tip your Loaders, and Loaders are free to accept tips. Whether it’s a verbal “Thank you,” a 5-star rating and shining review, or a monetary tip, there are plenty of ways to express your gratitude.
LoadUp deploys a large network of independently licensed and insured junk hauling professionals, servicing over 160 cities and surrounding areas nationwide. By providing our service through our Loaders who are local contractors, we’re able to enrich the economy of the communities we serve.
Because Loaders are independent contractors who set their own schedule, similar to Uber drivers, Loaders work as much or as little as they want. Most of our Loaders take pickups with LoadUp as a way to earn extra cash.
LoadUp’s tips are all online – no cash necessary!
Once your Loaders have hauled away your unwanted items, leave your wallet in your pocket and easily tip online through the confirmation email where you can also share with us how your team did!
LoadUp takes zero fees from tips. So, whether a Loader made you smile, was super speedy, or helped your poor kitty down from a tree, tipping is a great way to thank your Loaders for going the extra mile and making your junk removal experience a great one.
Want to know more about LoadUp’s services and what kinds of junk we take? Check out our Removal & Disposal Services page! We’d also love to hear from you if you have any questions or would like to book a pickup. Contact us here!
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