Is Tipping Included in the Overall Cost?
No. Tipping is never built into your moving quote. Your estimate covers the labor, the truck, the equipment, and the insurance, everything it takes to do the job right. A tip is separate, completely voluntary, and entirely up to you. If your crew earns it, it is a nice way to say thanks. If you would rather not, that is perfectly fine too, and it changes nothing about the service you get.
What your quote covers, and what a tip is
When we give you an estimate, that number is the cost of the move itself: the crew's time, the truck and fuel, the moving blankets and equipment, and our licensing and insurance. There is no gratuity baked in and no service charge tacked on at the end. What we quote is what the move costs.
A tip sits outside all of that. It is not a fee, it is a personal thank-you for work you felt went above and beyond. Moving is hard, physical work that also takes real skill: reading a tight staircase, wrapping a fragile piece just right, easing a piano into the perfect spot on the third try without a single complaint. If a crew does that for you and you want to recognize it, a tip is a direct way to do it.
How much, if you choose to
There is no required amount, and nobody on our crew will ever expect or ask for one. But since people often want a rough guide, here is the general custom.
Many customers tip somewhere around 15 to 20 percent of the total move, split among the crew. Others prefer to hand each mover a flat amount that reflects a full day of hard work. Either approach is perfectly normal, and a longer or tougher move (lots of stairs, a big house, a brutally hot day) is where people tend to land on the higher end.
Whatever you decide, treat it as a reflection of the service, not an obligation. Our crews are trained to give every move the same care whether a tip is coming or not. Your satisfaction is the actual goal.
Other ways to thank the crew
Money is not the only way to make a crew's day, and honestly some of these mean just as much:
- Keep them hydrated. On a humid Chicago summer day especially, cold water or a few sports drinks go a long way during hours of heavy lifting.
- Leave a review. If a mover took great care of your things, a few words online, ideally naming the crew members, genuinely helps them and helps us keep our standards high. It costs nothing and means a lot.
Budget with confidence
Because we do not change our pricing by the season or the day of the month, you can plan for both your moving cost and any tip without worrying about a surprise spike on a busy weekend. The move costs what we quoted, and anything beyond that is entirely your call.
Have questions about your estimate or what is included? Call (773) 275-4100 or email info@wcmoving.com, or read more in our FAQ. We will always give it to you straight: no hidden fees, no pressure.
Windy City Movers — Your Trusted Moving Partner


