If you are in the process of a permanent change of station—or PCS—move, should you tip your military movers? We’ll guide you through standard tipping practices, plus a few money-saving tips for your PCS move.
Serving the families that serve our country is the literal backbone of our organization, and we’ve strategically established our locations near major military installations across the U.S., ensuring our services are readily accessible when military families need them most. Whether you choose Stewart Moving for your PCS move or not, we’re here to support you and your family during this transition.
Do You Tip Military Movers?
Do you tip military movers, or is tipping included? Generally speaking, the military discourages military families from giving cash tips. Government-contracted moving companies are aware of this and don't expect to be tipped for their services.
The only exception to this is if you go the route of a DITY move, which is when you combine using military movers while handling a part of the move yourself. But even in this scenario, tipping is not a requirement and often isn't expected.
Why is Tipping Military Movers Discouraged?
In the U.S., tipping is a very standard practice, even when it comes to moving. That’s why the question of “do you tip movers for a military move” is common during a PCS move.
The military created new guidance in 2021 to discourage tipping as it can be a financial burden to some military families. While cash tips are not illegal, they can set “unrealistic demands on service members and civilian employees,” according to the new guidance.
Also, many military families rely on reimbursement for military moving expenses. However, tipping is not reimbursable, so it is a loss that would come out of your own pocket.
What You Can Offer Instead of Tipping
Now that you know you should not tip movers for a military move, you may still want to do something to show your appreciation. After all, military movers work very hard to make sure your transition to your new location is as smooth as possible.
Here are some things you can offer to your military movers as a thank you in place of tipping:
- Offer refreshments or snacks.
- Provide a healthy meal around lunchtime.
- Offer your thanks for a job well done.
- Post positive reviews regarding your experience.
You can also strive to simply provide the military movers with a positive experience instead of tipping. Being helpful and patient goes a long way and is always greatly appreciated!
Military and PCS Moving Tips
Although tipping military movers is not expected or necessarily recommended, there are other things you can do to make the moving process simpler and more pleasant. These are steps that will improve the experience of your military movers, as well as your family’s moving experience.
Be Prepared For Moving Day
Preparing ahead of time is essential for a smooth moving process. Try to have your belongings organized and sorted before moving day, and get rid of any unwanted items ahead of time. The more organized you are, the easier the packing process will be.
You can also go a step further and try to clean up your home as much as possible so that it is easy for the movers to navigate.
Label Boxes Clearly
To reduce stress and the risk of issues coming up later on, label all of your boxes clearly. You can label boxes by room or family member, and try to mark a few boxes as the ones that should be opened first if they hold necessities.
Make sure any boxes holding valuable or fragile items are also clearly marked to avoid mishaps.
Keep Pets and Kids Safe
Once the movers have arrived, one thing that you can do to make their job easier is to keep your pets and kids safe and out of the way. Either arrange for them to be out of the home at the time the movers are there or keep them in a designated area.
Be Respectful
Most military movers will not expect to be tipped, but they will greatly appreciate having their time and effort respected. Try to make their job easier by staying out of the way but being available to provide assistance if they need it.
Do your best to stay patient and levelheaded, even if unexpected issues arise.
Get Honest and Reliable Military Moving Services at Stewart Moving & Storage
If you are going through a PCS move, this guide should help if you are worried about whether or not you should tip military movers. Our movers are proud to serve military families and handle your belongings with care and respect—no cash tip required.
Stewart Moving & Storage originally started as a military moving company, which is why we provide services that specifically address the pain points of military families. Our military moving teams are highly trained and are dedicated to providing reliable, honest, and high value service.
Contact our team today at Stewart Moving & Storage to set up your PCS move with our military moving experts.
FAQs About Military Moves and Tipping
Is $20 enough to tip movers?
For military moves, cash tips are discouraged. For other moves, tipping depends on the number of movers, how long it takes, and how far you’re going. For a full day’s work, anywhere between $30-$100 per mover is standard. For higher-value moves, a 15-20% tip of your total move cost is more fair. Check out our in-depth tipping guide for more information.
When moving, do you tip the movers?
For military movers, tipping is not required nor is it expected. Instead, you may offer refreshments, provide a healthy lunch, or write a positive review to show your appreciation.
Is $100 per person a good tip for movers?
Cash tips are not required or expected for military moves. For civilian moves, $100 per mover may be appropriate, depending on the complexity, distance, and level of service during your move, but it is on the high end of the scale for a single-day move.
