How much do you tip movers?

We are moving tomorrow and I was wondering how much you should tip for movers. This is our first move with movers. We got quoted for about 700 for the two apartments to be moved into one house. Thanks for the help.

Tipping Movers

Google is my friend.

swantz84 said: We are moving tomorrow and I was wondering how much you should tip for movers. This is our first move with movers. We got quoted for about 700 for the two apartments to be moved into one house. Thanks for the help.


I think that link has some good info in it.

I've only used movers once (my MIL paid for them, I didn't really see the need, but I digress) and they did a fantastic job. They were early, got it done quick and even allowed me to help so as to reduce the amount that they charged us (they charged by the hour and me helping reduced it by about 45 minutes). I thought they did an excellent job and were fair with the price (about $100 less than they originally quoted). I tipped them both $20, which I thought was a good tip because the whole experience took less than two hours.

There is no way in hades I would tip the amounts that Google Answers thing has. $20-$50 per mover? Please.

You have to tip people decently when they do a good job though. I think atleast $20 a mover is very fair.

I think the problem with tipping movers is from everyone I have heard that has hired movers, they have complained a day or two later when they discover that a bunch of their stuff is damaged or broken. So how big of a jackarse are you going to feel like when you tip big and then find your box of China looks like a jigsaw. So I would be leary of tipping. I would almost tip *after* the fact - call the movers a day or two later after you have checked all your stuff and tell them you'd like to tip the guys that did your job.

swantz84 said: We are moving tomorrow and I was wondering how much you should tip for movers. This is our first move with movers. We got quoted for about 700 for the two apartments to be moved into one house. Thanks for the help.

Me and mrs soundtechie were sitting on the couch, watching a movie, when I get a call from my pastor. It seems that my friend Garyis moving to Tennessee tonight, and he didn't get as many volunteer helpers as he expected. Could I drive over there and help? Of course I could, I'll drive over there right now.


Now understand, gary is a well-to-do business owner, who lives in a nice three story house in a secluded neighborhood. He has a wife, 7 kids, and his father lives with him. I moved twin beds, bunk beds, queen beds, 4 of his 6 refrigerators, a massaging recliner chair, 5 oak book shelves, a monster oak dining room table, lots of computer equipment, musical instruments...

I got nothing but a hankshake. I was glad to help, but with that much stuff *and* that much money, why would you not hire movers?!

Hmm, I've never tipped movers, never even thought about it. I just paid their company like $15,000!

Of course, maybe that explains the missing box of my wife's lingerie...

They can figure in lack of a tip when they figure their moving quote. Unless you feel excessively generous or are fairly wealthy, I'm going with the military guy's advice on this one. Case of beer = job well done. I would love a tip like that with my job.

I'm tired of people giving out advice on specific amounts for tips for various services. Everybody has a hand out these days. Service industries, cabbies, waiters, etc., that's fine, but come on.

Depends on how much they steal.

I bought a couch from goodwill recently for my new apartment. The guy who helped my friends and I get it out and onto the truck got slipped a $20 when my friends weren't looking. He was very helpful and I'm sure he could use the money. It felt good to be generous, especially since I'm sure he didn't expect anything.

On the other hand, if you have hired one of the big, expensive moving companies and they don't do particularly well, I don't really see a reason to tip them. But I'd always tip the workers from a good local company I know whose employees always go the extra mile, so to speak.

I had a small, local moving company as well. Tipped $20/mover plus Gatorade at both locations, so $100 total on a job which took about 4 hrs. It was actually amazing to watch them work. They would lay 3 boxes on top of each other (turned 90 degrees from the one above or below it), back up to it, grab one inside edge and one outside edge on the bottom box, lean forward and start marching. From someone who was used to carrying everything in front of them, it was amazingly efficient to watch, although I would never have been able to get 3 boxes to fit under the top of the door if I had tried it.

soundtechie said:

Now understand, gary is a well-to-do business owner, who lives in a nice three story house in a secluded neighborhood. He has a wife, 7 kids, and his father lives with him. I moved twin beds, bunk beds, queen beds, 4 of his 6 refrigerators, a massaging recliner chair, 5 oak book shelves, a monster oak dining room table, lots of computer equipment, musical instruments...

I got nothing but a hankshake. I was glad to help, but with that much stuff *and* that much money, why would you not hire movers?!

He didn't get rich by giving people money!!!

swantz84 said: We are moving tomorrow and I was wondering how much you should tip for movers. This is our first move with movers. We got quoted for about 700 for the two apartments to be moved into one house. Thanks for the help.


online tipping guide

I give them tips ($30-$40/ mover) and get it signed as an additional charge on a piece of paper that I submit for reimbursement along with the movers invoice.

blueiedgod said: ltcm said: people routinely tip $5-7 on an average dinner.

Dinner for two for $30? Where? lol


Applebee's, places like that.

For my $$, wife and I have started just going out to lunch when we do go out - same food, much cheaper.

It took only 4 hours to move my home last time because of short distance and the tons of preparation that went on. I was happy to give the movers a 20% tip of the overall bill since the move was so labor intensive. If it was a long distance move where travel/idle/wait time was a significant part of the bill, I would have tipped less.

argblarg said: I am usually a stingy tipper but I tipped $20 for each of the 3 guys because they did an outstanding job. Moving from a third floor apartment they must have gone up and down the stairs close to 30 times each.




Newsflash: That's still a stingy tip.

rizzleness typed: I have 2 60lb boxes and my computer. I'd really think a $20 tip to move this is a little too much.This is something you either move yourself or ask a friend to help, and spring for lunch.

I'll give him a tip alright...

Here's a tip, be careful with my stuff.

I've never hired movers, but I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the concept of tipping before some of the heavy lifting. If I give a guy $20 and incenuate that there could be more if they do a good job/don't break my crap/scratch my floors, etc, I would think they would be more careful than they would with somebody who could possibly stiff them when it's all said and done. I often take this approach when I'm checking into a hotel for a multi-day stay--I'll hand the desk person $20 and simply say "This is for the great job that I know you are going to do during our stay...and if there are any rooms with a nice view it'd be nice if we could get one." You'd be shocked at the results of this strategy...I have gotten some very nice rooms (with a cut rate bill). I almost always get breakfast or dinner coupons, 90% of the time I've gotten a nice view.

I'm a true FWer--and as cheap as they get--but when people think you're throwing money around they tend to take care of you.

soundtechie said: When he calls me, I'm going to tell him to fall in a well and die.

Quit putting sugar on it. Tell us how you really feel.