![Handy Guide to on How Much to Tip Your NYC Movers [2025]](https://nycgreatmovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Handy-Guide-to-on-How-Much-to-Tip-Your-NYC-Movers-2025.jpg "Handy Guide to on How Much to Tip Your NYC Movers [2025]")
When people think of tipping, they think of going to a restaurant or getting their hair cut. Many people don’t think of tipping when it comes to a moving company, but it is hard work and a great way to show appreciation for the moving crew’s effort. So, how much should you tip your NYC movers? Short answer: between 10-20% for both local and long-distance moves. Of course, there’s a lot more that goes into your decision, so the guide below can help you calculate how much to tip your NYC moving crew.
Why Tip Movers?
It might seem like just an extra added expense, but gratuities play an important role in the moving industry as they impact both the moving crew and you, the customer.
When it comes to the crew, tipping acts as an extra motivator to provide top-notch service and also serves as immediate feedback on their performance. As well, while most members on an NYC moving crew make a good hourly rate, gratuities help supplement these base wages and act as extra compensation for the physical demands and irregular hours of their job.
And while the moving crew should always do their best to provide efficient and high-quality service to their customers, a tip acts as an extra incentive to put in even more effort to provide you with the best service possible. As the customer, you get to decide if and how much to tip. If you felt like their work was not up to par, then you do not need to provide any additional money besides what is on the bill of lading.
How Do You Decide How Much to Tip?
There’s no standard dollar amount for how much you should tip your NYC moving crew, but generally speaking, if you tip, you should provide somewhere between 10-20% of the final bill. For short moves (4 hours or less), you can tip less. Something like 10% of the final bill.
NYC Moving Tip Guidelines by Move Type
| Move Type | Move Duration | Suggested Tip % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Move | ≤ 4 hours | 10% | Small apartment or a few boxes |
| Standard Local Move | 4–8 hours | 15% | Most residential moves in NYC |
| Large/Complex Local Move | Full day or large apartment | 15–20% | Includes walkups, multiple fragile items, and bulky furniture |
| Long-Distance Move | Any duration | 10–20% | Tip may vary based on distance and service quality |
When deciding how much to tip your NYC movers, ask yourself the following questions:
Quality of service
- Did the movers arrive on time? If not, did they communicate earlier why it would be late?
- Were they professional and respectful?
- Did they disassemble your furniture?
- Did they handle your boxes and other belongings with care?
- Are they making efficient use of their time to move you as quickly as possible?
- Did you also hire the movers for packing and/or unpacking services?
Complexity of the move
- Is your new and/or old building a walkup?
- Are you moving a lot of fragile items?
- How much stuff are you moving? Is it just a few boxes or a three-bedroom apartment?
- Are you moving any large/bulky items like furniture, pianos, etc?
- Are you moving during poor weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or high temperatures?
Distance/Duration
- Are you making a local move or a long-distance move? If long-distance, how far are you moving?
- How much time did it take for the movers to load up all your stuff on their truck?
Damages
- Did everything arrive at your new apartment in one piece?
- Was any part of the new or old building damaged during the move?
- Did the movers treat your boxes labeled fragile with care?
What Qualifies as Above and Beyond Standard Work?
Professional NYC movers should check all the right boxes without the incentive of getting a tip. They are trained to be professional, efficient, and friendly, but that’s the baseline that you should expect. In order to qualify as extraordinary service, the crew should:
- Arrive early and stay efficient throughout the move. They shouldn’t be wasting any time!
- Take time to properly secure and protect your belongings
- Maintaining a positive attitude and clear communication throughout the duration of the move
- Problem-solving with no issues or complaints
- Working quickly despite difficult conditions
- Always staying respectful and professional
How Do You Tip NYC Movers?
While some companies allow you to add the tip amount on your final bill and pay by credit card, if you ask anyone on a moving crew, everyone will tell you that cash is king. Of course, that means you need to pull out some money before the movers even arrive, so you don’t have to run out to an ATM. Your best bet is to assume you’ll tip 20% of the estimate, and from there deduct money if the movers are not up to your standards. That means you should keep your tip until the end of the move. That way, you can assess the team’s work and service. Remember, gratuities are not required, so don’t ever feel like you have to tip if you received poor service.
Average Tipping by Apartment Size in NYC
| Apartment Size | Average Move Cost (NYC) | 10% Tip | 15% Tip | 20% Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $400 – $800 | $40 – $80 | $60 – $120 | $80 – $160 |
| 1 Bedroom | $600 – $1,200 | $60 – $120 | $90 – $180 | $120 – $240 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,000 – $2,000 | $100 – $200 | $150 – $300 | $200 – $400 |
| 3 Bedroom+ | $1,500 – $3,000 | $150 – $300 | $225 – $450 | $300 – $600 |
When tipping in cash, make sure to tip each mover separately. Never give the full amount to the foreman or a single person, as they may not end up splitting the amount with their coworkers. Tipping individually will remove any bad actors, and it will also make each team member feel recognized for their work. Also, if you are working with two different crews, for example, a cross-country move, tip them separately.
Other Ways of Showing Appreciation
If you’ve ever done a DIY move, you’ll know that it’s not easy. It’s very labor-intensive and difficult. While the people working on your move will always appreciate a tip, there are a few other ways you can show your appreciation.
Snacks and/or drinks
On hot days, offering some cold water is a great option. Similarly, on cold days, offering some hot coffee or tea is a great way to get the movers in a good mood. Never offer alcoholic beverages, as that is a safety violation.
Positive reviews
If you had a good experience, consider leaving a review online. It provides valuable feedback to the moving company and also helps other customers when they are choosing their NYC movers.
Preparation
Before the movers arrive, make sure that you have everything packed up and ready to go. You should also clear hallways of any obstacles and provide clear instructions during the process to make everyone’s life easier.
FAQ
What happens if the movers demand a tip despite poor performance?
Don’t feel pressured to tip. Call up the main company line directly and talk to their customer service representative to lodge a complaint. If they still demand money, consider calling the police to have them removed from your property.
Can I tip using a credit card?
Contact the moving company and ask about their credit card policies. You might be able to provide a separate transaction to reward your movers. With that said, there’s no way of knowing if that tip will get to your moving crew, so cash is king.
Should I tip based on the size of my move/length of my move?
That shouldn’t be the only factor, but just a piece of your overall decision-making process. The larger the move, the more you should tip. When it comes to long-distance, the bill can rack up pretty quickly, so it might be better to consider a fixed rate versus a percentage of the final bill.
Should I tell movers I will tip them if they do good work?
It’s not recommended that you tell the movers you intend to tip them when they show up as it can be seen as manipulative. Instead, simply tip the workers at the end of the move and thank them for their help.
What happens if I don’t have the exact percentage of the total bill that I want to give as my tip?
That’s totally fine! You don’t have to match the exact percentages, just get close. The moving crew isn’t going to calculate the exact decimal point.
Is it okay not to tip at all?
Tips are never required, but they are always appreciated, especially when the crew does a good job. However, if you don’t have it in your budget, you could provide other options, like some old furniture or items that are in good condition that you don’t plan on bringing with you. Of course, if they did not perform their job well, you should not provide a tip!
