How Much to Tip Movers: Your Complete Guide

Yes! Tipping movers is standard practice, but how much to tip movers varies on the situation. 

If you're moving into or out of a challenging space with stairs, heavy objects, or lots of obstacles, you'll want to tip more. But in general, you can tip movers similar to restaurant servers - around 15-20% of your moving cost. 

These rules apply to independent and moving company movers, regardless of which you choose. 

Just like in a restaurant, tipping movers should be based on skill and performance. Tipping isn't mandatory, but for movers with a tough job or who treat your items with special care, it's highly suggested. 

So how do you know when a tip is appropriate?

Consider tipping less (or not tipping at all) if the movers do any of the following:

• Show up very late.
• Damage items and don’t notify you.
• Act rude or unprofessional.
• Take much longer than expected with no explanation.
• Don’t apologize for damage, delay, or poor service.

Consider giving movers up to $10 per hour if they show signs of being top-notch professionals:

• Show up on time.
• Treat your belongings with care.
• Pay extra attention to heavy furniture and fragile items
• Work hard.
• Act professionally.
• Make you feel like you got a white glove moving service.

Moving tips depend on your move type and the professionalism of your moving team. We recommend $5 to $8 per hour for each worker. You can also give a larger tip worth 15%-20% of your total moving costs if you’ve had the same long-distance moving crew since Day One (and they wow you with their good service and professionalism).

You’ll see tip recommendations all over the place on the web. In the end, how much to tip movers really boils down to what you can afford and are comfortable with. We’ll lay out some sample gratuity amounts so that you can get an idea of your options.

The timing of your tip depends on what kind of movers you have. For example, you tip local movers at the beginning and end of your move. So, if a team of four workers spends eight hours moving you out and moving you in, you’d pay them around $320.

On the other hand, you typically tip long-distance movers only once—at the end of your move. That’s one reason why long-distance tips often seem more costly than local movers (you tip for both halves at once).

We always recommend tipping your movers, especially if the job includes especially heavy objects or lots of stairs. And there's no exception for those who work at a company or those you've hired independently. The biggest difference is how you split the tip. 

In general, a tip should cover 15-20% of your moving costs. If you're tipping movers as part of a company, they'll split that cost. If you're tipping individuals, you can split that cost and divide it among the movers. 

Tipping isn’t just about the almighty dollar. If you’re short on cash, there are other ways to thank your movers. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:

• Provide snacks. Provide bagels and coffee in the morning or sandwiches if it’s later in the day. Better yet, ask your movers what they’d like to eat.
• Keep them hydrated. It’s nice to have bottled water on hand. On a hot day, cold lemonade is refreshing too.
• Write a review. Immediately after your move, write a positive online review and mention your movers by name to ensure they’re recognized for a job well done.
• Be kind and gracious. Thank your movers for their time and hard work. Show that you appreciate their effort.
• Let them work. Movers will thank you for food and drinks, but the best thing you can do is stay out of the way and let them do what they do best.

Recommend amounts vary, but those who tip movers by percentage often chip in 15% to 20% of total costs—similar to what you might pay at a restaurant.

If you've hired independent movers, then yes. You can split that 15-20% among them and hand tip them each. 

You could lose your ability to file a damage claim if you help movers bring your belongings in or out of your home. Ironically, the best way to help is to stay out of their way.

You tip local movers when they load and unload. On the other hand, you typically give long-distance movers a gratuity only at the end of your move.

A fair tip for movers is $5 per hour. You can double the amount if they provide excellent service. Similarly, if you’ve had the same long-distance moving team the entire time, you may want to consider a 15% tip.

The amount you tip movers depends on their quality of service—and your ability to pay.

In most cases, we recommend giving each worker $5 to $8 per hour. For example, if four workers spent four hours moving you in, you should plan on a total moving tip of approximately $80. You can also tip based on percentages (similar to a restaurant).

Just be aware that 15% of a long-distance move can easily exceed several hundred dollars, so it’s essential to include the expense in your moving budget. You can also show gratitude by providing snacks, leaving a positive moving review, and saying thank you.

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