Movers can handle everything from packing to transporting your belongings across the country. Hiring pros to facilitate your relocation can make all the difference in your move. Depending on what particular services you need, it can get expensive, but it’s always worth it. But what about after you’ve paid the bill? Should you tip movers?
The answer is yes, if you are happy with your move. It’s not expected, but it’s always appreciated. Think about it this way: Although movers are being paid to provide a service, they could be worthy of extra recognition for a job well done. And while there are pretty clear guidelines on how much to tip, say, your food server, bartender or rideshare driver, the etiquette of tipping movers is murkier.
Let’s talk about how much to tip movers, when to tip and when not to, how to tip, and whether you should provide any food or beverages for your moving crew.
How Much to Tip Movers
A general guideline for tipping movers is between 10% and 20% of the total moving cost, or $20-$40 per mover for a local move, and $40-$60 per mover for a more intensive move (such as if you worked with full-service movers or if your move was long-distance). The exact amount can vary based on the quality of service, the complexity of the move, and your personal budget.
Paying a certain percentage of the total cost of the move doesn’t work for every kind of move. In the case of a local move, where the average cost is $882 – $2,567, a percentage-based tip won’t break the bank. But when you consider that the average cost to move cross-country will be between $2,000 and $10,000, depending on which option you choose — the DIY approach, full-service movers, or a container service — the tip amount can get very high.
Instead, we recommend this simple formula to make your life easier and the tipping process more uniform: $10 to $20 per hour per mover, and $40 to $80 per mover for a 10-hour day. Start there, and if you feel like they did an exceptional job, you can increase it, but $10 per hour per mover is a start.
Are You Required to Tip Movers?
No. There’s no industry standard for tipping. That said, tips are always greatly appreciated as a sign that you recognized the movers’ effort.
We suggest you tip when:
- The moving crew had delivered all the services you’d hired them to provide
- They showed up on time
- They brought the right-sized truck
- Your movers were personable, polite and efficient (in other words, acted professionally)
- Your movers took extra care handling your items, especially the fragile ones
- The moving crew had to handle specialty items like a piano or an antique
- Your old or new place has restricted parking conditions, stairs or an elevator—anything that complicated navigation and handling heavy items
- The move was finished ahead of time
How Much Do People Usually Tip Movers?
People generally calculate how much to tip movers based on the number of hours they worked. A good rule of thumb to start with is $10 per mover per hour. So, if the movers worked two hours, each mover should get $20, $40 for four hours, $60 for six hours, and so on. The complexity of the move and the level of care also determine whether to tip more or less.
What Factors Should I Consider When Deciding How Much to Tip My Movers?
Here are some things that should factor into how much you decide to tip:
- How complicated your move was. Some moves are inherently more difficult than others. Stairs, elevators, narrow hallways, multiple stops (at a storage unit, for example), parking restrictions, and moving heavy or specialty items can all complicate the move.
- The conditions in which your move took place. Moving is hard enough without it being 95 degrees outside with 100% humidity or freezing and icy. If your movers did their best even in inclement weather, it’s nice to acknowledge it.
- The movers’ cordiality. Was your moving crew polite and agreeable? Efficient and punctual? Take that into consideration. Being late or rude is unprofessional and can ruin anyone’s moving experience.
- The quality of the service provided. If you thought the service was exceptional, you may want to provide a larger tip. Of course, the threshold for what constitutes exceptional service is entirely subjective, but if it was exceptional to you, increase your tip amount, even if it’s just by a couple of dollars per person.
Should I Tip My Movers More Based on the Size of My Home or the Length of My Move?
The size of your home will likely directly affect the length of your move. After all, moving a five-bedroom house across the country is a vastly different process from moving a studio apartment down a few blocks.
The length of the move will determine how many hours the movers will work. Based on our suggested formula, work it out to $10-$20 per hour per mover. Other than that, it’s up to you to increase it or decrease it depending on the quality of your experience and the complexity of the move.
How to Tip Movers
There are no tried and true rules when it comes to how to tip movers. However, most people tend to tip movers after the move is complete and the bill is settled, and to tip each mover individually.
You can hand all of the tips to the crew leader to divide amongst the movers if you trust him to hand it off, but there’s always a risk that the money won’t make it to everybody. If you want to be sure everyone gets their due, hand out tips to each mover on your own.
Tipping Movers When Moving Cross-Country
If the crews on both ends did a good job, we recommend tipping both crews: the crew that loaded your belongings at your old home and the crew that unloaded them at your new home. However, moving long-distance doesn’t require a higher tipping rate or percentage. After all, you are already paying big bucks for moving long distance, and that includes the price of gas, the mileage, driver’s compensation, the weight of your belongings, and so on. Start with $10-$20 per hour per mover on both ends of the move. You can increase or decrease the amount, as discussed above, based on job performance.
Tipping Movers on a Local Move
Local moves take less time and effort than long-distance moves. The moving truck and its driver will likely spend a couple of hours on the road, and one moving crew will have anywhere between two hours and the whole day to load and unload your belongings.
To decide how much to tip your movers, again, start with the $10-$20 per hour per mover formula. Tip more for outstanding jobs and less if there are any issues.
Can I Tip Movers Using a Credit Card?
We recommend tipping in cash immediately after the job is done to ensure that the money is evenly distributed to each crew member. If you absolutely can’t tip in cash and you’ve hired a professional moving company, you should be able to easily find out what the company’s credit card policy is and what payment methods are accepted. Some moving companies are set up to accept tips on credit card transactions.
Should I Provide Food to Movers?
Tipping is a great way to show that you value your mover’s work, but there are other things you can do to convey your appreciation if you want to go above and beyond. Some ideas include leaving a positive online review for the moving company and providing food and refreshments for the moving crew. None are required, but they are a nice touch.
We don’t recommend buying the crew food instead of tipping them. As you can imagine, they would prefer to get money and spend it however they want. If you do offer to buy lunch (and still tip), ask first (what if they brought their own food?). Also, ask about their food preferences and restrictions.
Moving comes with a cliché of consuming beer and pizza on moving day, but maybe the movers would prefer something other than pizza. And professional companies have policies about drinking on the job, so it’s best to stick to non-alcoholic beverages. Provide water (though many movers will show up with their own) and season-appropriate drinks like coffee on a cold day or lemonade on a hot day. Healthy snacks like fruit will work, or easy-to-handle chips, cookies and sandwiches.
FAQ: Tipping Movers
Am I required to tip my movers?
No, tipping movers is not required. However, it’s a common and appreciated way to show gratitude for a job well done, especially when the crew goes above and beyond.
How much should I tip movers?
An easy, reliable rule to follow is $10 to $20 per hour per mover or $40 to $80 per mover for a full 10-hour day. Alternatively, some people tip $20–$40 per mover for a local move and $40–$60 per mover for a long-distance or complex move. Adjust based on service quality and your budget.
Should I tip based on the total cost of the move?
Not necessarily. While some use a percentage (10–20%) of the total cost, this doesn’t always make sense for long-distance or high-cost moves. It’s more practical to tip based on hours worked and the complexity of the job.
When should I tip my movers?
Tip after the move is complete and the job is done to your satisfaction. You can tip immediately after everything is unloaded or once the final bill is settled.
Who should I give the tip to?
It’s best to tip each mover individually to ensure everyone receives their share. If you give the entire amount to the crew leader, there’s a risk it may not be distributed evenly.
Can I tip movers with a credit card?
Some moving companies accept credit card tips, but cash is preferred to ensure each mover receives their portion directly. Ask the company in advance about tipping options if you don’t plan to have cash.
What factors should affect my tip amount?
Consider the following when deciding how much to tip:
- Complexity of the move (stairs, elevators, narrow hallways)
- Number of heavy or specialty items moved
- Weather conditions on moving day
- Professionalism, punctuality, and efficiency of the movers
- Care taken with your belongings
Should I tip more if I have a large home or a long move?
Larger homes and longer moves usually involve more work, which should be reflected in the number of hours worked. Stick to the hourly tipping guideline ($10–$20 per hour per mover), and adjust based on difficulty and quality of service.
Do I need to tip movers for both ends of a long-distance move?
Yes, if different crews handled the loading and unloading, it’s customary to tip both teams based on their individual performance. You don’t need to tip more just because the move was long-distance.
Should I tip for local moves, too?
Absolutely. Even local moves involve physical labor and coordination. Use the same hourly rate guideline ($10–$20/hour/mover), and increase or decrease based on service quality.
Can I provide food and drinks instead of tipping?
Food and beverages are a nice gesture, but they should not replace a monetary tip. If you offer food, ask first — some movers bring their own or may have dietary restrictions. Stick to water, soft drinks, and simple snacks. Avoid offering alcohol.
What kind of refreshments should I provide movers?
Providing water, Gatorade, lemonade (on hot days), or coffee (on cold days) is appreciated. Light snacks like fruit, chips, granola bars, cookies, or sandwiches are also great. Just be sure to ask what they prefer.
Is leaving an online review just as helpful as tipping?
While not a replacement for tipping, a positive review is a valuable way to show appreciation. It helps the moving crew gain recognition and helps others choose quality movers.
What if I’m on a tight budget?
If you can’t tip much, any amount is appreciated. Even small gestures like $10 per mover, offering cold drinks, or writing a glowing review can go a long way to show your gratitude.
Being a mover is a tough job that doesn’t always pay well. Showing that you appreciate the hard work is good form as a customer, and will never go unnoticed or unappreciated. So the next time you work with a professional moving company, set some cash aside for tipping the movers after the job is complete. Make sure to find out ahead of time how many workers will be showing up so you know how much you need.
Good luck and happy moving!