Quick answer
Tipping movers is customary for good service but not required. According to NerdWallet, common amounts are $4 to $15 per mover per hour, or $20 to $50 per mover per working day, or 10% to 20% of the total bill. For long-distance moves, $50 to $100 per mover per day is typical.
In this guide
Should you tip movers?
If you are wondering "should you tip movers," the short answer is yes when the service is good, and no rule says you must. A tip is a thank-you for careful, hard, physical work. It is not part of the price, and a reputable mover will never demand one or build one into the bill without telling you.
Many customers do tip, because moving is one of the more demanding service jobs there is. A household shipment can weigh thousands of pounds, and the crew carries all of it, often on stairs and often in the heat. When they do it carefully and with a good attitude, a tip is the customary way to say so.
How much to tip movers
There are three common ways to figure a tip. These ranges come from NerdWallet's guide to tipping movers:
| Method | Common range, per NerdWallet | Works best for |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $4 to $15 per mover, per hour | Local moves billed hourly |
| Per day | $20 to $50 per mover, per working day | Half-day and full-day moves |
| Percentage | 10% to 20% of the total cost | Smaller bills; split among the crew |
| Long distance | $50 to $100 per mover, per day | Each crew on an interstate move |
Pick one method, not all of them. If you prefer to tip movers per hour, the low end of the range suits a short, simple job and the high end suits a long or difficult one. On a large bill a percentage can produce a very big number, which is why many people switch to a flat amount per mover for bigger moves.
What that looks like on a real move
Some quick arithmetic using those ranges:
- Two movers, three hours, one-bedroom apartment. At $5 per mover per hour, that is $15 each, or $30 total. A flat $20 each is equally reasonable
- Three movers, six hours, three-bedroom house. At $6 per mover per hour, that is $36 each. Many people round to $40 each, or $120 total
- Four movers, a full day, large house with stairs. At $50 per mover for the day, that is $200 total
These are examples, not obligations. Tip what fits your budget and the service you received.
How to tip long-distance movers
A long-distance move often involves different people at each end. One crew loads the truck at your old home. A driver carries the shipment, sometimes over several days. Helpers at the destination unload it.
To tip long-distance movers fairly, tip each crew separately on the day they do the work. Give the loading crew their tip when the truck is loaded and the unloading crew theirs when the last box is inside. If the same driver supervises both ends, it is common to recognize that at delivery. NerdWallet notes that it is customary to tip more for long-distance moves than for local ones, typically $50 to $100 per mover per day.
Planning your moving budget? Start with a free, no-obligation quote so you know the crew size and the expected hours.
When to tip more, and when to tip less
Reasons to tip toward the high end:
- Several flights of stairs, a long carry, or no elevator
- Very heavy or awkward pieces such as a piano, a safe, or a sleeper sofa
- Extreme heat, cold, or rain
- A crew that packed for you, protected floors and door frames, and reassembled furniture without being asked twice
- A job finished faster than estimated with nothing damaged
Reasons to tip less, or not at all: a crew that arrived very late without calling, handled your belongings carelessly, or was rude. A tip rewards good service. If something went wrong, tell the company as well, so it can be put right.
How to hand over the tip
- Use cash if you can. It is immediate and it is certain to reach the person you give it to. Get small bills from the bank a day or two before the move
- Tip each mover individually. Handing the whole amount to one person and asking them to split it usually works, but giving each person their share directly removes any doubt
- Wait until the job is done. Tip at the end of the day, after the walkthrough, when you have seen the work
- No cash on hand? Ask the crew leader or the office whether a tip can be added to your card payment
- Say why. A specific thank-you, such as "you were so careful with the piano," means as much as the money
Moving day etiquette beyond the tip
Good moving day etiquette makes the day easier for everyone and costs very little:
- Have cold water or sports drinks available, and coffee on a winter morning
- On a full-day job, offer lunch or at least tell the crew when you plan to break. Food is a kindness, not a replacement for a tip
- Point out the bathroom the crew may use
- Be packed and ready, with pets and small children out of the path
- Keep one person available to answer questions about what goes where
- Afterward, a written review that names the crew members helps them more than most people realize
Add the tip to your moving budget
The easiest way to avoid an awkward moment at the end of the day is to plan the tip when you plan the move. Once you have your estimate, decide on an amount per mover and set the cash aside.
Allpoints Moving Services provides free, no-obligation quotes for local moves, which are typically billed hourly based on crew size and truck needs, and for long-distance moves, which are quoted as a flat rate. Request a quote and you will know the crew size and the expected hours before moving day. For the rest of the budget, see our guide to hidden moving fees.
Key takeaways
- Tipping movers is customary for good service and never required
- Common amounts are $4 to $15 per mover per hour or $20 to $50 per mover per day, according to NerdWallet
- On long-distance moves, tip the loading crew and the unloading crew separately
- Tip more for stairs, heavy items, and bad weather; less for careless service
- Cash handed to each mover at the end of the job is the simplest method
