Moving is one of the most physically demanding jobs in any industry. Your crew members are carrying your furniture, often up stairs, often in LA heat, being careful the entire time. Tipping is not expected the way it is in a restaurant — the rate includes labor — but it is appreciated and it's become an industry norm in LA.
Local move, 3–5 hours, straightforward access: $20–$30 per mover. Local move with stairs, hillside access, or heavy specialty items: $30–$40 per mover. Large move (3+ bedrooms), long day (6–8 hours), challenging conditions: $40–$60 per mover. Long-distance move, multi-day job: $50–$100 per mover per day.
The percentage-of-bill calculation (10–15%) also works and tends to produce fair numbers for larger moves. Don't over-think it: $20 cash is meaningful and $40 is generous.
Some situations genuinely deserve extra recognition: a crew that shows up early and finishes under the estimate; a mover who takes extra care with your grandmother's antique armoire; a foreman who problem-solves a tight staircase landing without complaining or charging extra. Read the room — a great crew doing exceptional work on a hard move deserves to hear it, and $50/person instead of $30 makes a real difference to them.
Offering cold water and Gatorade on move day is universal good form — especially in summer. A crew working in 90°F Valley heat will drink several bottles each. If you want to provide food, pizza or sandwiches for the crew at the midpoint of a long move is a gesture that's always remembered. Neither replaces a tip, but both make the day better.
Tipping is not required but is standard practice and genuinely appreciated. The crew members who carry your belongings are doing physically demanding work, often in LA heat. $20–$40 per mover for a local move under 6 hours is the LA norm; $40–$60 per mover for large or difficult moves (long stairs, hillside homes, heavy furniture).
Tips go to the crew, not the company. If an owner-operator is part of the crew, they generally don't expect a tip — their compensation comes from the job rate. If you're unsure who's an employee vs owner, tip the crew members doing the physical labor.
Cash, handed to each crew member individually at the end of the job. Handing one lump sum to the foreman to distribute is also fine if you trust the foreman — though direct individual tipping ensures everyone gets their share. Venmo works too if the crew offers it.
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