A Comprehensive Guide to Tipping Your Moving Crew

Moving to a new home is an overwhelming project. There’s so much to remember, and one question that tends to come up at the end of moving day — at the very last minute — is an important one. At Joey’s Movers, how much to tip movers is a question that frequently comes up. While tipping isn’t mandatory, it is the most effective way to show appreciation for your moving crew’s work. Moving is physically demanding and requires attention to detail. If your movers have done a great job, letting them know with a tip is much appreciated.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about tipping movers, including standard amounts, factors that influence tipping, and a few alternative ways you can show your gratitude.

Tipping in the Moving Industry

In any service industry, tipping is the standard method of acknowledging great service, and the moving industry is no exception. Moving is physically demanding work that requires skill and care. It involves long hours of heavy lifting, navigating tight spaces, protecting clients’ valuables, and ensuring that treasured belongings arrive safely.

Why is tipping movers important? Despite the physically exhausting nature of their work, moving professionals generally earn moderate wages. A tip is more than an acknowledgment of their effort and a thank-you for handling possessions with care. It also supplements their income. How much to tip movers varies widely based on how complicated the move is, the amount of time and distance that the movers are responsible for your belongings, and the quality of the service that’s provided.

Common Questions About Tipping Movers

Before we dive into specific amounts, let’s address some of the questions we’re asked most often:

Do I need to tip my movers?

Yes, in the same way that you’d tip a waiter, bartender, or hair stylist, tipping moving professionals is customary.

Is tipping mandatory?

No, tipping is never required, under any circumstance. Still, it is an expected courtesy for good service that is much appreciated and a great way to show your appreciation.

How Much Should You Tip Movers?

Are you supposed to tip movers? Yes, tipping moving professionals is customary.

Standard Tipping Guidelines

At Joey’s Movers, our customer service reps are frequently asked the same question: How much should you tip movers? The answer depends on several factors, but here are some general guidelines:

For a half-day move (4 hours or less):

  • $20-$30 per mover for standard service
  • $30-$40 per mover for excellent service

For a full day move (8 hours):

  • $40-$60 per mover for standard service
  • $60-$100 per mover for excellent service

For moves that involve multiple days:

  • $60-$100+ per mover per day

These ranges are meant as a starting point. You should adjust the amounts based on the specific details of your move and the service you receive.

Factors That Affect Tipping Amounts

There are several factors we suggest you consider when deciding how much to tip. They are:

  1. The Size and Complexity of Your Move
    • How complex was your move? Were there lots of stairs or long carrying distances?
    • How many heavy or bulky items (pianos, safes, large furniture) were included in your move?
    • Did your move involve tight spaces that required extra skill and experience to navigate?
    • Did the property you moved out of or into (or both) have multiple floors or complex layouts?
  2. Service Quality
    • Was the moving crew careful? Did they pay attention to detail when handling fragile items?
    • Did the crew waste time or did they perform efficiently and professionally?
    • Did they demonstrate problem-solving skills if/when challenges arose?
    • Was their attitude geared toward providing excellent customer service?
  3. Weather Conditions
    • Did they work in extreme heat or cold?
    • Were they challenged by rain, snow, or other weather that made the job harder?
    • Were there other conditions that made the job more difficult?
  4. Time and Efficiency
    • Was the job completed more quickly than you expected?
    • How organized and efficient was the crew?

5-star customer review about Joey’s Movers prompt arrival and professionalism

Should You Tip Each Mover Separately?

Best Practices for Distributing Tips

When working with a group of moving professionals, it may seem easier to hand all the tips to the lead mover, but in our experience, it’s best to tip each mover individually. Proceeding in this way guarantees that your gratuity reaches each person who worked on your move.

When tipping movers, wait until the job is finished and then hand each person their tip directly, along with a sincere thank you. This personal approach makes a difference, as it acknowledges individual efforts and ensures that your appreciation is communicated properly.

Cash vs. Other Forms of Tips

Cash is the preferred tipping method for most movers: It’s immediate and allows workers to use it as they want to, when they want to. However, there are plenty of times that moving clients have forgotten to get cash for tips, and the crew understands that. If you don’t have cash on hand, consider these alternatives:

  • Digital payment apps including Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp
  • Personal check (though this is less ideal)
  • Gift cards to popular restaurants or retailers (this option requires some forethought!)

Remember that food, drinks, and snacks are appreciated, they are not tips. You’re encouraged to provide them, but remember that they should be considered a supplement to monetary tips in recognition of a job well done.

Is $100 a Good Tip for Movers?

Breaking Down $100 Tips

The question of whether $100 is an appropriate tip depends on the size of your moving crew and the scope of your move:

  • For a small move requiring two movers working half a day, $100 total ($50 per mover) would be considered generous.
  • For a full-day move with a crew of four, $100 total ($25 per mover) would be on the lower end of the standard range. Consider increasing your tip.
  • For a complex move with special items, difficult access, or exceptional service, $100 per mover would be appropriate.

Examples of Tipping for Different Move Sizes

Studio or One-Bedroom Apartment Move (2-3 movers, 3-4 hours)

  • Standard service: $20-$30 per mover ($40-$90 total)
  • Exceptional service: $30-$40 per mover ($60-$120 total)

Small Home Move (2-3 bedrooms, 3-4 movers, full day)

  • Standard service: $40-$60 per mover ($120-$240 total)
  • Exceptional service: $60-$80 per mover ($180-$320 total)

Large Home Move (4+ bedrooms, 4-6 movers, full day or multiple days)

  • Standard service: $60-$80 per mover per day ($240-$480 total per day)
  • Exceptional service: $80-$100+ per mover per day ($320-$600+ total per day)

Remember that these are just guidelines. You should adjust the amount you give based on your specific circumstances and your satisfaction with the service.

Alternative Ways to Show Appreciation

Providing Food and Drinks

While food and drinks shouldn’t replace monetary tips, providing refreshments is a thoughtful gesture that movers truly appreciate. Popular offerings include:

  • Bottles of water or sports drinks (especially in hot weather)
  • Coffee in the mornings, or hot chocolate in cold weather
  • Donuts or breakfast sandwiches
  • Easy-to-eat snacks like granola bars, fruit, packaged sandwiches, and bags of chips
  • For full-day moves, a lunch of pizza or sandwiches

Treats like these do more than help movers maintain their energy. They create goodwill and are appreciated throughout a physically demanding day.

Leaving Positive Reviews

In today’s digital economy, positive online reviews can significantly impact a moving company’s business and provide the moving crew with more work in the future. Beyond tipping your movers for their hard work, consider:

  • Leaving a detailed review on Google, Yelp, or other review platforms
  • Providing specific feedback about standout employees, whether publicly or directly to the company’s management.
  • Sharing your experience on social media
  • Referring friends and family to the company

These types of actions can be as valuable to the company as your monetary tip is to the individual movers.

Tipping Movers for Long-Distance Moves

How Long-Distance Moving Tips Differ

Long-distance moves present specific challenges that will impact your tip, especially if your move involves different crews for loading and unloading. If that’s true of your move, our tipping recommendations are as follows:

  • Tip the loading crew at pickup according to the guidelines above
  • Tip the delivery crew separately at drop-off
  • When deciding on how much to tip, consider the difficulty of each location separately (stairs, distance from truck to door, etc.)

For moves that span multiple days, providing a daily tip is appropriate, especially if you’re working with the same crew throughout.

Additional Gratuities for Specialty Moves

When your move includes specialty items requiring extra care, skill, or equipment, consider increasing your tip:

  • Piano moves: Add $20-$40 per mover
  • Antiques or valuable art: Add $10-$20 per mover per item
  • Extra-heavy items like safes or pool tables: Add $20-$30 per mover
  • Custom crating or specialized packing: Add $10-$20 per service

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is $100 a good tip for movers?

For a small moving team (2-3 people) working a half-day job, $100 total is generous. For larger crews or full-day moves, $100 might need to be split among more people, potentially resulting in a lower per-person amount. Consider the total hours worked, difficulty of the job, and quality of service when determining if $100 is appropriate.

2. Do you tip each mover separately?

Yes, it’s best practice to tip each mover individually rather than giving the entire amount to the foreman or lead mover. This ensures that each worker receives their deserved gratuity and feels personally appreciated.

Final Tips on Tipping

Knowing how much to tip movers gives you confidence and helps ensure a smooth, professional moving experience. It ensures that you’re fairly compensating the hardworking individuals who handle your belongings.

Remember these key points:

  • Base your tip on the complexity of the move, quality of service, and time spent
  • Plan ahead by having cash available on moving day
  • Consider tipping on the higher end for exceptional service, difficult conditions, or complex moves
  • Supplement monetary tips with refreshments and positive reviews when appropriate
  • For long-distance moves, prepare to tip separate crews at pickup and delivery

While tipping movers isn’t mandatory, it’s a meaningful way to acknowledge the physical labor and care that goes into relocating your household. By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure a fair and professional interaction with your moving crew while showing appropriate appreciation for their hard work.

Are you planning your next move? When you choose the professional movers at Joey’s Movers, you’re guaranteed to be working with an experienced crew that is dedicated to giving you a positive moving experience from start to finish. Call us today to find out why we are Chicagoland’s most referred mover.

Photo by Burst and Kaboompics.com