$20 each should be just fine.

Absolutely! We just had a crew move all of our living room furniture and art into a pod, then, when we were ready, they came and put everything back. Two guys. $300 fee, tip $100 each. They are the same guys that originally hung the art.

I haven't had professional movers until now... so good to know! (Last time around, in 1991, I treated my friends with pizza, soda and beer. - we're all much older now, and I have more stuff, so I'm going the professional route.

I did rent a Budget cargo van last December to take up a load, and hired a couple of people to help me load some heavy stuff I was going to need out of here - I gave the main guy some furniture (dining set) he had a relative that could use it, and I don't remember amounts, but I did round up on the cash I gave him. (My home building contractor and two buddies of his unloaded at the other end.)

I want to get him back here for another load of things. He was great, and he also noted he does clean up, which this place (I am down at the old home right now) definitely needs.

Like the others have said, a base of $20 each, and then up from there. Happy Moving!

Thanks! We are moving all the boxes ourselves, they will be doing the heavy lifting! I think we'll have everything ready to go - like the bed taken apart. Since it's by the hour, we'll try to do what we can ourselves. I'll have some $20's ready for them so if they exceed expectations, I'll be able to give them more. I really had no idea what to even start with. : )

Thanks houndsx2... I'm looking forward to it... mostly for it to be over and to get settled in the new house. Then hopefully not move again for a long time!

Share, yes, when I hired movers to move my Mom 60 miles to a senior apartment, I tipped.

They brought us coffee upon arrival. (Starbucks no less). They packed what I had hadn't. They treated all her things like fine antiques and most were not. Three rooms full of furniture, I'd clearly marked what was staying in the house. There wasn't a service elevator in her new building. The crew of two (when we'd expected 3) had to take things a few at a time up one of the residence elevators while doing their best not to inconvenience any of the seniors. It's been a couple of years now but it seems like the bill was around $900 and I gave them $45 each. I'd taken a cooler with soft drinks and bottled water, but: They provided their own lunch and water.

I just tipped the guy who delivered our new garden shed (assembly required by us) 20.00. Normally I don't tip delivery but he gave us extra service by bringing it up and setting it in the garage instead of leaving us to deal with 800 pounds at curbside which was all he was required to do. For movers I would be tipping a bit to a lot more.

If it's a big move, I'd do 40-50 each

Agreeing with base of $20 each and more according to circumstances like delicate items, big move, a good job, etc.

I agree to start with $20.

Oh crap. 2 weeks ago Best Buy delivered all my new kitchen appliances. They did a terrific job & I was very happy how careful they were. I NEVER even thought to tip them. I feel terrible now.

JeCrigler do not feel bad. It is only within the last few years that I have tipped except for extra special service. In the past when I have offered I had been told that the delivery people could not accept tips. Probably within the last ten or so years has anyone accepted a tip for this service. Of course that is only this area and it may have been acceptable in other areas. At one time the delivery people were well paid because a bad delivery could mean less sales. I do not think this is still true. Moving whole households is a different matter. Next time you will know. But did you give them a good review?

It depends on the movers. We were told not to tip by the moving company one time. It was apparently against the law there, but not sure why. We buy water, Coke, Gatorade and orange juice and provide some sort of meal.

We always provide drinks if needed, like Coke or water. The one time we did move, we didn't have men. We have two kids so they helped carry stuff. We did tip the driver, though, about $10 because he made it there in the morning.

If they do a good job and are careful, I think the rule of thumb of about 15 percent ($40 to each of the two) would be right.

I'm shocked at the $90 per hour rate for a truck and two workers. That's about half the standard rate for one skilled tradesman in my area, though unskilled labor like movers do command a lower rate. But still, be happy!

JeCrigler - Most delivery people who work for stores aren't supposed to accept tips. Lowes has that policy. I only tipped because it was a freight service. The guy was alone, without help, and he went beyond the job of dropping the load at the curb. Appliance delivery crews from stores are supposed to bring them in. It's a difference. Normally delivery people do not get tipped.

Where does this end? Really? I just spent xXxX.xx at your store, paid extra for delivery, took time off work to be there for delivery ("Between 8 and 10" my a$$) and I am supposed to tip them? They make more than I do!

In Idaho, tipped employees (service industry) make less than minimum wage. No problem tipping them, generously. But it has gotten out of hand!

Yes I gave them an excellent review, just no extra cash. They probably drove away thinking I was a cheap skate!

ONE MORE TIME!

Best Buy, Lowe's, Home Depot etc. do not allow their employees to accept tips. It is not expected to tip delivery people who come in set to up your appliance . That is their job. It is not going over and above what they are paid to do.

https://corporate.bestbuy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/BBY-Code-of-Business-Ethics-2015.pdf

The times when Best Buy has delivered to us, it has been by an independent contractor, not BB employees.

For moving company employees, yes do tip them. For appliance/HVAC type deliver, no they aren't tipped. I've had the same Ferguson guy deliver large items to my house and he doesn't expect a tip and his service is still excellent.

There are areas of the country that have high expectations for tips including for trash pickup and mail delivery so act according to your area.

Last time we had appliances delivered & installed, dear husband had to fix the installation himself (and he admits he's no do-it-yourself genius). So, even if tips had been allowed, they sure would not have earned them.

Twice recently we've helped our daughter move. She's young, not much stuff. Did you know you can rent a moving truck to drive yourself, AND arrange for a couple workers on each end of your drive, to help move your items from your place to/from the truck? Both of those experiences were great. I forget how much the service cost, but she tipped each guy $20 and the supervisor $40.

We never tip delivery people, I guess that's why I hadn't thought about tipping the movers.

We just had a couch delivered and not only did they not show up in their 4 hour window, they were rude about being late. Had I planned a tip for them, they wouldn't have gotten it.

Someone above mentioned delivery people making more than they do. FYI depending on the company and area of the country they work in some are making just above minimum wage or may even be repeat day laborers. Once I found this out from a friend whose son was doing this I started tipping. Some, the ones that seem really rushed are paid per delivery and not an hourly rate.

Not all house movers are low paid. My husband knew a crew of ladies that packed up houses for moving. They were very, very well paid and apparently worth every penny.

Of course if the delivery people do not do a good job that is one thing but if they do what is expected or more and they can accept a tip do so. Always consider things that are outside of their control such as the weather.

I would! All the above reasons plus I personally had to with my son and husband and nephew move our last house. One heck of a job! If you ask me they are worth their weight in gold!

Does anyone tip *anyone* IN ADVANCE?

It's one thing to press a twenty into the hand of the maitre d' as he seats you. You'll be coming back to that restaurant again. How does one-time help know you're good for a tip?

I need to move to Australia where tipping is rare.

Just moved. Three men and a 28 foot truck. I was amazed they could fit it all in but they did and did a great job moving. $40 each