When moving from one home to another, one of the questions that you might be worried about is when to pay movers – before or after the move. This is a legit question, especially when you’re using the services of a professional moving company for the very first time.
It goes without saying that you have to pay your movers for their job – that is, for all the services that they have provided to you in accordance with your mutual agreement (the moving contract).
In addition to the principal job of loading your items from the pick-up location, transporting them to the destination town or city, and unloading your things at the new place, you will also be charged for any type of extra service that you request from the pros – professional packing, disassembly of furniture, temporary storage, unpacking upon delivery, reassembly of furniture, and so on.
As a general rule, you are supposed to pay movers after your household items have been safely and timely delivered according to the terms and conditions set out in the moving contract. However, if the moving company requests a deposit when you’re booking the move or wants you to pay them cash after the move, then things can get a bit trickier for you.
So, when do you pay movers – before the move or after the move?
Read on to learn the correct answer.
Do you pay movers before the move?
The short answer is NO, you do NOT pay movers before the move.
However, you may still need to pay a deposit if such is requested by the mover, and you can choose to tip your hired workers if you’re satisfied with their work.
Reasonable deposit: should be OK
During the height of the moving season (May – September), it’s not uncommon for moving companies to request a deposit in advance as a guarantee that a customer won’t just decide to cancel the move at the last moment.
This is somewhat understandable and justifiable – a deposit means commitment from both parties. In reality, a moving deposit is the insurance policy of a moving company that they will get some sort of compensation for the lost opportunity if a customer cancels the move too suddenly and too late for the mover to do anything about it.
Some movers will ask for a deposit, others won’t – after all, every moving company has their own rules, policies, and conditions. The amount of a deposit will depend on a few factors such as the size of your move, the move distance, the city you live in, and the exact move-out date – weekends are more expensive than weekdays.
But above all, a moving company deposit needs to be reasonable – anywhere between $100 and $500 should be acceptable as a legitimate deposit asked by a reputable moving company.
Learn more: Moving company deposits: What to know and what to expect
Very large deposit: NO
While it’s OK to pay a reasonable amount of money as a deposit to a company you’ve already researched and made sure it’s legitimate and reputable, you should never pay a moving deposit that’s too big to a moving company you know nothing about.
If a mover requests a deposit that’s more than $500, then that’s a red flag that something is not quite right. Think about it – the movers have not yet done anything, why should you pay them so much money?
As a rule of thumb, you should not pay a moving company deposit that’s more than $500 – it’s suspicious and you may never see your money again.
Also, be very wary of a moving company that demands the deposit in cash. Trustworthy moving companies will let you pay the deposit any way you wish, so you should always choose a payment method that can be traced (credit card).
Entire sum upfront: NEVER
Under no circumstances should you agree to pay the entire amount upfront. Never!
An honest and reputable moving company will never ask for 100% of the moving cost in advance for no services rendered. Therefore, if you do get asked to pay up the entire amount in advance, then you’re definitely dealing with a dishonest mover (rogue mover) and you should run away from them.
See also: How to avoid moving scams
Tipping movers after loading: it’s up to YOU
Another instance of paying movers before the move is when the hired workers have done a great job since the moment they have arrived in your home and you wish to reward their efforts by tipping them after they’ve packed up your things and loaded them up into their vehicle.
So, consider tipping your movers when they
- have arrived on time;
- have been nice and friendly;
- have treated your possessions with care and attention;
- have taken precautionary measures to prevent any property damage; and
- have worked hard from start to finish.
Remember that you don’t have to tip your movers. However, if you’re really happy with their work, there isn’t a single reason why you shouldn’t express your gratitude for a job well done by tipping each mover individually.
Follow the link below to learn how much to tip movers if you do choose to do so.
See also: How much to tip movers
Do you pay movers after the move?
The short answer is YES, you do pay movers after the move.
However, there may be certain situations when you’re not sure what to do – for example, if the moving company requests that you pay them cash. Also, you may be wondering if you are supposed to tip your movers upon delivery.
Pay movers cash: NO
After your movers have delivered your items on time and have taken them safely inside the new place, then it can be concluded that they have held their end of the bargain. And then it’s time for you to do the same by paying them for the relocation service.
But here’s the tricky part: the moving company may request that you pay them in cash – a surprising request that that can definitely catch you unprepared. What should you do?
Bear in mind that the payment method should be set out clearly well in advance in the moving contract. Before you sign the agreement, you should be comfortable with and agree fully to its terms and conditions.
Reputable moving companies will accept any major credit card, and you should always pay your movers with a credit card, not cash. Why?
Paying by credit card leaves an undeniable proof of payment and gives you the option to cancel the payment in case of a problem – for example, a dispute with your mover. Hopefully, asking your card provider to issue a chargeback won’t be a necessary step but it gives you the opportunity to fight back in case of a serious issue with your mover.
Pay movers with a credit card: YES
Reputable moving companies will accept various payment methods such as cash, by bank check, or by credit card. Collect on delivery (COD) charges will have to be paid before the moving truck is unloaded, meaning that once your movers arrive in the new place, the driver will ask for payment before the movers start unloading your shipment from the vehicle.
For reasons explained in detail above, you are strongly recommended to pay with a credit card.
Tipping movers after unloading: it’s up to YOU
Again, you can choose to tip the movers when they do a great job unloading your belongings and taking them inside the new home. You may also need to reassemble any furniture items they have disassembled at the time of packing.
In case of a local move, the movers are likely to be the same people who have packed up and loaded your items in the truck. However, when you’re moving long distance across the country, the crew that will deliver and unload your things will most probably be different than the one that loaded up your things. When unsure, you can call up the main office of the moving company and find out that information.
Either way, feel free to reward your hard-working movers by tipping each one in person for a job well done.
Must-read: 10 Steps to select a good mover
I think you are putting all companies in the same boat. The most important is to have confidence in the company, have a good comercial relation, and to have information about other jobs done. Sometimes are needed values in advance that depend of the type of service ( we can not give values to that ).
Each one chooses the way it will work, just has to be clear about their rules to the clients.
We were instructed that we were to pay our movers in 3 installments. Since we are moving from Raleigh, N. C. To central Ohio they quoted us a rate of $3,103.00.
They required a deposit of $853.00, which we have already paid.
The second installment of $1.125 was to be paid the time we met the movers at our home. That will be Tuesday. That was to be paid using cashier’s check. The final payment of $1,125.00 was to be paid in either cash or a postal money order. The bank where we received our cashier’s check raised ted flags and strongly advised my wife not to get the cash.
I called another mover also in Florida, who told me the EXACT SAME THING, in other words they said that paying in cash after delivery of our items was “industry standard.” So we went ahead and arranged for my wife to have the cash, and be waiting in our new home. I will follow the movers along the trip.
We tried contacting the Attorney General’s office in Florida, but got a lengthy voicemail telling us agencies we could lodge a complaint with, but not telling us what we wanted; is this company a reputable one!
What do we do?
First time Movers.. I paid with card first … the next two payments would be cash.. I am now worrying over this.. Reading the reviews makes me want to find someone else .. The comments is like I feel.. They do not call back and now what do I do????
Sounds good. Thanks
I am moving tomorrow and piece of cake moving CO is asking me to pay for the move in advance online. or when they pick up the move however, they will not issued me a receipt just an online receipt.
Why they do that?
First time Movers.. I paid with card first … the next two payments would be cash.. I am now worrying over this.. Reading the reviews makes me want to find someone else .. The comments is like I feel.. They do not call back and now what do I do????
This website is not providing accurate and factual information regarding the federal regulations for what a mover can and cannot do. Specifically and as detailed in the Rights and Responsibilities When You Move guide book for consumers that is issued by the US DOT, FMCSA: the mover MAY collect the charges due before the shipment is unloaded from the truck. This is why it is so important to understand what your binding estimate and bill of landing say. Read everything before you sign your name and if you do not understand any language on the bill of landing, ask. This is a huge scam industry that prays on people in the worst way.