How Much to Tip Movers in 2024 – Tipping Movers Correctly

By: Harrison Gough Last Updated: Jan 01, 2024

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The standard tipping percentage for movers is 15-20% of the total bill. However, the actual amount you should tip depends on the size of the job and your level of satisfaction. Tipping with cash or check is recommended, but you can also ask if the company accepts Venmo payments.


How Much to Tip Movers in 2024 – Tipping Movers Correctly

You’ve made the move.

The movers have just dropped off the last box, and you’re finally in your new place, entertaining the idea of unpacking.

You paid a lot of money for the movers to lift, load, and transport all your boxes. But as they walk away, you’re incredibly appreciative that you didn’t have to do all the lifting yourself.

Do you tip your movers—are you supposed to?—or do you just let them leave without saying anything?


To tip or not to tip, that is the question

The moving industry is well known to have tipping standards of 15% or more for quality services.

However, the formulas for tipping are not straightforward.

As soon as the movers set down the last piece of furniture a rush of questions shoots through your head: What’s the best way to tip someone doing a move? How much tipping is needed? Is it necessary to tip people? Do I tip each mover?

Tipping movers are optional, but most house owners adhere to accustomed practices. Removing heavy furniture is hard work.

Long story short, yes, you should tip if you were impressed with the job they did. Double the celebration (and the tip) if everything you own arrived in one piece.


What’s the best way to tip movers?

Tipping with cash is usually the best way to tip a mover, but people like to entertain in other ways like food.

If you don’t want to embarrass yourself on the day of the move, stick to cash or ask if the company or movers accept Venmo payments. A lot of movers will typically say yes, which is convenient especially when you don’t have cash on hand.

The company will typically advise you to either tip each mover separately or the company as a whole.

Generally, you will tip freelance movers individually and tip a company if they supplied all the movers that completed your job.

But, be sure to ask the company what they prefer upfront before finalizing your tip.


How much do you tip long-distance movers?

So you’ve decided, based on the quality of your move, that you want to leave a tip.

How much do you tip?

The accepted amount to tip across the board is 15 to 20% of the total bill. And that amount is the same for local movers and long distance movers.


Tipping movers with food – can you do it?

While it’s tempting to say, “well, I gave them water. That should be enough of a tip,” providing water is considered a basic necessity on the site where movers are moving heavy boxes.

If the weather is extremely hot, having water on hand is a nice gesture, but it is not considered a tip.

The same goes for food. Don’t feel pressured to provide food, but if you do, consider also tipping if the service they provided was good.

If it’s just your friends helping out (no professional movers here), definitely tip them with copious amounts of beverages and delicious food.

The friends who sit through tedious days and help you move all your belongings are the kind of friends you want to keep for life.


Additional ways you can treat your movers

There are other ways to makeovers feel appreciated, too. But be careful. Don’t go overboard as most employers have strict policies regarding employees drinking at work.

Tipping can be complicated

Tipping can be a complicated topic. In fact, tipping is really only a tradition in the United States. It’s often frowned upon in places like Europe.

So when it comes to tipping movers, sometimes it’s easy to brush it under the rug and not bring it up and even skip it together.

The best way to tackle the topic is to ask the moving company how they treat tips: do they give them to the workers? Do they need tips to compensate workers?

Understanding where your tip goes can help you tip the right way, and as every company is slightly different, asking is the best practice.

After all, a job well done is worthy of a big, thank-you tip.


FAQS

Is $100 a good tip for movers?

The short answer? It depends on the size of the job. A good tip is 15-20% of the total cost of the move. If the whole job cost $1,000, a $100 tip is only 10%. So in that case, it would not be a good tip.

Is $20 enough to tip movers?

The short answer? It depends on the size of the job. For most professional moving jobs, $20 will not be enough.

Is $50 enough to tip movers?

The short answer? It depends on the size of the job. For most professional moving jobs, $50 will not be enough.

Is $200 a good tip for movers?

The short answer? It depends on the size of the job. That amount may be enough, depending on the size of your job and the total bill.

Is it OK not to tip movers?

If the movers did a quality job and everything arrived in one piece, it’s generally expected that you should tip your movers.

Is it common to tip movers?

Yes! You should let your movers know they did a fantastic job! Moving heavy boxes isn’t an easy job.

Do you tip each mover separately?

If you hired each mover yourself, you should tip them separately. If there is a company that supplied movers, you will typically tip the company.

Is $40 a good tip for movers?

The short answer? It depends on the size of the job. For most professional moving jobs, $40 will not be enough.


Understanding the Standard Tipping Percentage

Tipping movers is a common practice in the moving industry, and it’s important to understand the standard tipping percentage and how to calculate the actual amount based on the job size and satisfaction.

While tipping in cash or check is recommended, it’s always good to inquire if the company accepts other forms of payment. Besides tips, there are other ways to show appreciation for your movers, but be careful not to violate any company policies.

Remember, a job well done deserves a thank-you tip, so don’t hesitate to show your appreciation for their hard work.