Do you tip movers? The short-and-sweet answer is yes, you absolutely should. The real question you probably want to ask is how much to tip your movers, especially since tipping culture has shifted a lot in recent years. A standard amount is usually around $20–$50 per person, depending on the length of the job, the size of your move, and the level of service provided.
If you’re still uncertain, don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll break down why tipping movers matters, the standard guidelines for how much to give, when and how to tip, and even what a moving professional has to say about it.
Table of Contents
The Importance of Tipping Movers
Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it’s one of the simplest ways to show appreciation for a tough, physical job done well. Movers pack, haul, and protect your belongings under stressful, often unpredictable conditions. A fair tip acknowledges the effort they’ve put in and keeps morale high for their next customer.
Here’s why tipping movers is important:
- Recognition of hard work: Lifting, carrying, and maneuvering heavy items takes skill and stamina.
- Encouragement of professionalism: A tip rewards movers for being careful, courteous, and efficient.
- Morale boost: Positive reinforcement helps maintain motivation and service quality across jobs.
Kevin the Mover, a veteran moving professional, an award-winning travel writer, and regular HireAHelper contributor, has this to add:
“I can say from experience that one customer’s generosity can have a positive effect on morale. That means the customer who came before you may have done you a favor. By offering your movers a decent tip, you are not only thanking them for doing the job right, but you’re doing their next customer a favor, too.”
Standard Tipping Guidelines for Movers
In general, you have two options to choose from: a flat rate or a percentage rate. While there’s no one-size-fits-all formula, here are the most common approaches when it comes to tipping and average amounts:
- Hourly rate: $4–$5 per hour per mover
- Flat rate: $20–$50 per mover, based on the length of the move (see table below).
- Percentage of bill: 10–20% of total moving cost, split evenly among movers
If you’re not sure about what the total might look like with several movers helping out, here’s a simple table to guide you:
Typical Flat-Rate Tipping Amounts
| Move Duration | Tip Amount per Person |
|---|---|
| 2–3 hours | $20–$25 |
| 4–5 hours | $30–$40 |
| 6–8 hours | $30–$50 |
| 8+ hours | $40–$50 |
How Much to Tip for Long Distance vs. Short Distance Moves
Not all moves are the same, and tipping movers can vary depending on whether your job is local or long-distance. The biggest differences come down to how many crews are involved and how long and complex the work is.
Short-distance moves
For local jobs, you’ll typically have the same crew from start to finish, which means tipping once at the end. Most customers tip$20–$30 per mover for a half-day job. If the move involves multiple flights of stairs, tight hallways, or especially heavy items, consider tipping on the higher end of that range.
Long-distance moves
Long-distance moves often involve more than one crew — a loading team, an unloading team, and sometimes a separate driver. Each group should be tipped individually based on their performance.
“If you live in places like Manhattan, the Bay Area, or anywhere else where the cost of living is significantly higher than average, consider going a little higher with your baseline tip, since your movers live there, too.”
The same $20–$50 per mover range applies, but you might want to lean toward the higher end for multi-day or more demanding moves. Many people also tip the driver $50–$100, since they’re responsible for transporting your belongings safely over hundreds of miles.
Pro tips to keep in mind:
- If you have different crews at pickup and delivery, plan to tip each team separately.
- Moves requiring shuttle service, storage in transit, or long carries may justify an additional tip.
- Tips don’t have to be equal. If one crew goes above and beyond while the other is average, adjust accordingly.
How to Decide How Much to Tip Movers
The numbers given in the table above are just a baseline. Along the way, several variables will come into play, and how your movers handle them should influence your tip.
Quality of Service
You pay your movers to move your stuff. You tip them based on the way they carry that out. If you feel your movers have provided exceptional service by going above and beyond what they are required to do, show them that you appreciate it by giving a higher tip.
Examples of exceptional service include:
- Arrive early and finish on time: Showing up slightly ahead of schedule and completing the job promptly.
- Explain the process: Walking you through how the move will go before getting started.
- Address customer concerns: Asking if you have any questions or special needs without prompting.
- Go beyond expectations: Offering advice or providing help outside the contracted service.
- Handle changes professionally: Navigating last-minute adjustments with flexibility and professionalism.
On the other hand, even if your movers finish the job without damaging anything, you may feel they failed to fulfill even the basics of decent service. In such a case, don’t feel obligated to give your movers something they haven’t earned.
Examples of subpar service include:
- Arrive late without notice: Showing up late without apology, explanation, or advance warning.
- Use unprofessional language: Speaking in a rough, impolite, or inappropriate manner.
- Provide unclear information: Giving incomplete explanations of things like insurance and waivers.
- Avoid accountability: Failing to take responsibility for accidental damage, no matter how minor.
- Take excessive breaks: Stopping too often and slowing down progress.
2. Size and Complexity of Move
The size of your move is easy enough to translate into an estimate for what to tip your movers. The more stuff you have, the longer it will take to move it all, and as the hours pass, that tip creeps higher.
But it isn’t just the size of the move that matters. Certain common circumstances and requirements (referred to in the moving industry as accessorial services) make a move more complex or simply more time-consuming.
Common accessorial services include:
- An excessive number of stairs: Usually more than 2 flights to climb.
- Long carry: A long distance from the customer’s front door to the truck.
- Freight elevator use: Adds time and requires extra manpower.
- Furniture disassembly/reassembly: Breaking down and rebuilding large items.
- Appliance setup: Unhooking and reconnecting washers, dryers, or other appliances.
- Custom crating: Building wooden crates to protect expensive items like chandeliers, marble statues, or valuable paintings.
Accessorial services come with additional fees, so movers will be compensated one way or another for the extra effort, but it might be a good idea to add a little more to the tip to show your appreciation.
3. Weather Conditions
Moves don’t stop just because the weather is bad (although extreme or dangerous weather will often prompt rescheduling). Rain, snow, ice, or extreme heat all make a hard job significantly harder, and sometimes riskier. These conditions can delay progress and increase the physical demands on your movers.
Examples of weather challenges include:
- Heavy rain or snow: Requires extra care to keep belongings dry.
- Icy sidewalks and staircases: Adds time for safety precautions and slip prevention.
- Extreme heat or humidity: Increases the need for frequent breaks and hydration.
- Strong winds: Makes carrying large, bulky items like mattresses or furniture more difficult.
If your movers push through these conditions while still protecting your belongings and staying professional, consider tipping toward the higher end of the standard range to reflect the extra effort.
4. Special Circumstances
Like accessorial services, certain special circumstances make a move more time-consuming or physically demanding. Unlike accessorial services, these don’t usually come with extra fees, but they still add to the difficulty of the job.
Examples of special circumstances include:
- Sloped or uneven driveways: Add difficulty and extra effort to safely move items.
- Unpaved surfaces, like dirt or grass: Can slow the crew and complicate transport.
- Narrow hallways, doorways, and stairwells: Makes maneuvering large items more time-consuming.
- Excess items in attics, basements, or crawl spaces: Increase labor and moving time.
- Extremely heavy items (safes, hot tubs, stone or iron pieces): Require additional strength and caution.
- Furniture that won’t fit down stairs: May need to be moved through windows, which takes a lot more time, effort, and equipment.
- Specialty items (antiques, artwork, equipment): Require extra time and delicate handling.
These challenges are common in moving, but they require extra time and skill to handle safely. Adding a little extra to the tip shows that you noticed and appreciate the hard work.
Regional Differences in Tipping Movers
Those baseline numbers for how much you might want to tip apply to most regions of the country. If you live in places like Manhattan, the Bay Area, or anywhere else where the cost of living is significantly higher than average, consider going a little higher with your baseline tip, since your movers live there, too.
How and When to Tip a Mover
Plan to tip your movers individually in cash after the move has been completed. This ensures each worker receives their fair share and gets direct recognition for their effort.
Here are some general standards for when, how, and how not to tip:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| ✅ Tip when the move has been completed | ❌ Tip with a credit card |
| ✅ Tip in cash | ❌ Give all the money to one person |
| ✅ Tip each mover individually | ❌ Ask for change |
| ✅ Tip each mover the same amount | ❌ Say lunch was their tip |
Tipping each mover individually allows you to personally thank each member of the crew. If it isn’t feasible or you prefer to give the entire amount to one person, make sure it’s the crew leader and do so in the presence of at least one of the other movers.
It’s also possible that one mover on your crew will be noticeably slow, lazy, or rude. In such a case, it is understandable to want to tip that individual less. And you are well within your rights to do so.But speak quietly with the crew leader first. That one mover may be dealing with something you can’t see, or there’s some other circumstance you’re unaware of.
Tipping Movers: An Expert’s Opinion
HireAHelper has been in the moving business for over 15 years, and we’ve heard a lot from actual movers about things like tipping. One such expert is Kevin the Mover, a veteran moving professional and long-time HireAHelper contributor. His perspective comes from his travelogue documenting travels to 40 countries across six continents and 20 years on the job, and here’s his candid look at why tipping matters:
“When I was a mover, I’d occasionally have a customer ask if they should (or could) tip my crew and me. I was always tempted to tell them yes, they absolutely should. We just worked a hard job, after all. Instead, I’d just smile and say that tipping is not required but is always appreciated.
And that was the honest truth. Movers pack and haul heavy furniture and boxes all day, every day, with the expectation that they smile, act professional, and not damage anything they handle. As a customer, you are not wrong to have such expectations. But it helps to keep in mind just how demanding this type of work is, and why movers might deserve a tip at the end of their job with you.”
Other Ways to Show Your Appreciation
Tips are generally offered when the movers have finished the job. But that doesn’t mean you should wait until the end of the day to show your appreciation for all they are doing for you. Here are a few other ways you can help and show your movers what you think of their performance:
Get Off to a Good Start
Just as you want your movers to show up on time,movers love it when the customer is ready at the agreed time. Have everything squared away and ready to go so your movers can hit the ground running.
Be Available
It’s a real benefit to your movers if you’re present for the duration of the move. You should try to stay out of your movers’ way (for your safety and theirs), but be available in case any questions or issues arise. If you have to run out, make sure the crew leader can get in touch with you if necessary.
Offer Drinks, Snacks, and Lunch
Hot coffee on a cold day and cold drinks on a hot day help keep your movers energized and comfortable. Simply set it out and let them know to help themselves. If you’d like them to keep their drinks confined to the kitchen or other space, let them know that too.
For a short job (half a day or less), drinks and maybe something simple to grab and snack on are plenty. For a full-day move, feel free — but not obligated — to offer to buy lunch. If you can offer a few options aside from pizza, your movers will likely be thrilled and very thankful.
Reviews and Testimonials
Movers can talk all day about how experienced and professional they are, but their customers are the ones who will convince others to use them or not. If you had a good or an exceptional experience with your movers, let the world know with an online review. At HireAHelper, reviews carry a lot of weight, meaning the movers you find on our platform are motivated to deliver excellent service.
“Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it’s one of the simplest ways to show appreciation for a tough, physical job done well… A fair tip acknowledges the effort they’ve put in and keeps morale high for their next customer.”
If you had a positive experience, don’t hesitate to mention your movers by name. Giving them a personal shout-out is a great way to let them know how much you appreciate their work.
On the other hand, if you had a negative experience with an individual mover, resist naming names. Good movers sometimes have a bad day, and bad movers don’t stick around. If the company was sub-standard overall, though, you should make that known.
FAQs About Tipping Movers
When do I tip my movers?
The best time to tip your movers is at the end of the job, once everything has been unloaded, placed where you want it, and the crew has confirmed the move is complete. Tipping at the end allows you to evaluate the overall service and reward movers accordingly. If the job is especially long, you can offer drinks or snacks along the way, but cash tips should wait until the move is finished.
Is $100 per person a good tip for movers?
Yes, $100 per person is considered a very generous tip. For a typical half- or full-day move, most people tip $20–$50 per mover. However, if your movers worked a long, difficult job, handled challenging conditions, or went above and beyond with their professionalism, $100 per mover is an excellent way to show your appreciation. It’s not expected, but your crew will definitely be grateful.
Do you tip each mover individually?
Yes. Whenever possible, hand each mover their tip directly. This ensures fairness, avoids misunderstandings, and lets you personally thank each worker for their effort. If you prefer to give one lump sum to the crew leader, make sure you do so in front of the team so everyone knows the tip will be split. A personal handoff is always the best way to show genuine gratitude for their hard work.
How much should I tip movers for 1 hour?
If your movers only worked for about an hour, maybe helping load a few heavy pieces or moving items within your home, a smaller tip is appropriate. Around $10–$20 per mover is fair for short jobs. Keep in mind that movers usually have a minimum booking window, so even if they’re only on-site for an hour, they may have blocked out half a day for your job.