Tipping movers: How much is right?

Ally Sabatina, Roxanne Downer and Allaire Conte, CNN Underscored
·3 min read

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klingsup/iStockphoto
klingsup/iStockphoto

Are you relocating soon? Amidst the stress of moving, you’re likely wondering how much to tip movers. Is it required?

Here’s the short answer: Yes, tipping for good service is customary. But how much is fair? What if movers break or lose something? Do you still tip? In this guide, we’ll explore mover tipping etiquette, average tip amounts based on move factors and pointers for showing appreciation when the job is done.

Should you tip movers?

Tipping movers for exceptional service is standard practice. Think of it like tipping your server after a positive restaurant experience. Similarly, you don’t have to tip if the mover doesn’t fulfill their end of the contract. But failing to tip is discourteous if the movers provided adequate service.

For most professional movers, tips make up a big chunk of their total compensation. They also motivate them to work diligently and provide stellar service.

While tip amounts vary, “The moving industry standard tip is 15% to 20% of the total move cost,” explained Nancy Zafrani, the general manager of New York-based moving company Oz Moving & Storage. That tip gets divided among all movers and not per person.

How much to tip movers

According to Zafrani, there’s no flat rate for moving tips. At a minimum, “a good rule of thumb is to tip each of the movers $4 to $5 per hour.” If a move is five hours long, it’s appropriate to tip each mover $20 to $25.

Other factors may also determine how much you tip, such as:

  • Additional services like packing/unpacking

  • Attitude and professionalism

  • Care and skill demonstrated

  • Length and complexity of your move

  • Number of movers

Total tip amount

As a baseline, here are typical tip amounts based on move duration:

Tipping etiquette for movers

Samantha Odo, chief operating officer of Canada-based real estate company PreCondo, says clear communication and respect go a long way. “Let movers know upfront that you appreciate their work and intend to tip them accordingly,” she said. This sets a positive tone for the day and motivates them to do a good job.

“I remember a client who prepared small thank-you notes with the tips inside,” she shared. “This personal touch was well-received by the movers.”

When to tip more

Follow these general guidelines when deciding on tip amounts:

  • Complex move involving lots of fragile items, stairs and/or tight spaces

  • Exceptional service quality like friendliness, efficiency and being meticulous

  • Difficult conditions such as bad weather, congested roads and elevator issues

  • Long move distance like interstate moves with overnight stays

  • Special (heavy or fragile) items such as pianos, safes and fine art

When to tip less (or not at all)

There are times when you can tip less, such as:

  • Late arrival significantly delaying your move

  • Careless behavior that leads to damaging your home or belongings

  • Slow progress involving too much standing around or sloppy packing

Use your best judgment when tipping. Let’s say your movers are a little late due to poor planning and getting stuck in traffic, but otherwise, they did an excellent job. They got your belongings into the new house carefully and didn’t dilly-dally. In this scenario, it would be reasonable to tip them still — but maybe less than if they were punctual.

How to tip movers

Cash tips are best, so movers get them right away. But depending on the agreed-upon payment method, you may also be able to tip in the following ways:

  • Check

  • Credit card (specify the tip amount separate from moving fees)

  • E-payments (for example, Venmo, PayPal or Zelle)

Besides a monetary tip, movers may also appreciate refreshments like water and snacks if you can offer them.

Bottom line

While not mandatory, tipping your movers is the right thing to do as long as they provide satisfactory service. Tip in cash when possible, and adjust amounts based on move factors like duration, difficulty and mover professionalism. Both you and your movers will feel good when tips match the service quality.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.

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