When and How Should You Pay Your Movers?
Fact Checked by: Here’s the quick answer: You typically pay movers at or near the end of your move, once your belongings are unloaded and the crew wraps up. Most reputable moving companies don’t collect full payment until delivery, and deposits (when required) rarely exceed 10% of your total estimate.
- Timing: You typically pay movers at or near the end of your move.
- Payment methods: Most movers will take cash at delivery, but many prefer credit cards.
However, there are exceptions to this rule of thumb, so it’s vital to know your payment options long before signing a contract. Whether you’re working with some of the best interstate movers or the best moving container companies or doing a different type of move, here’s what you need to know about payment.
Jump to the moving payment info you’re looking for:
Why use moveBuddha to find movers?
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
When do you pay movers?
Wondering when to pay movers? As a rule of thumb, you pay movers at the end of your move. That’s when all of your belongings are brought to or unpacked into your new place and the movers are ready to head out.
In some cases, you may pay movers a deposit at the beginning, but most reputable moving companies take final payment at the end of move day.
Most professional movers accept cash or credit for local, intrastate, and interstate relocations.
However, it’s important to note that some (especially long-distance movers) only accept payment via credit card.
If you’re moving locally and your estimated charges are less than $1,000, paying with cash may be the way to go. However, credit cards are usually a better option for long-distance cross-country moves for which full-service moving costs often run into the thousands.
Carrying a large amount of cash is dangerous, while most credit card companies have programs designed to help fraud victims.
If you’d rather use cash to avoid paying interest, consider using a credit card and paying the balance off the following month.
Moving scams: what to know about demands for cash upfront
“Give us your cash…or else!” If your mover demands you pay for the whole move in cash at the beginning, that’s a huge red flag. Frustrating (and terrifying) demands are usually only made by shady movers and brokers.
In general, moving companies will ask for full payment at the end of or just before your move. Many movers do ask for a deposit up front, especially during the busy summer season, but most don’t expect you to pay for the full move until everything has been signed off and completed.
That’s great for consumers since there is an incentive for the movers to do a good job in order to receive the full payment and avoid issues. Scammers who demand payment up front put consumers at a disadvantage since they no longer have leverage if something goes wrong.
Paying for moving services doesn’t need to be stressful or contentious. Check out our guide on how to avoid moving scams so you can keep an eye out for red flags, like scam movers demanding full cash payment up front.
Address payment details up front with your moving quote. That way, everyone knows what to expect.
While screening and hiring movers, evaluating your moving process, and obtaining moving estimates, be sure to ask the following questions:
- Payment methods: Ask which payment options the company accepts, since cash, check, and credit card policies vary by mover.
- Payment timing: Confirm exactly when you’re expected to pay, whether at pickup, at delivery, or some combination.
- Deposit requirements: Ask whether a deposit is required to book and how much it will be.
It’s essential to get all of this in writing. Reputable professional moving companies will usually provide you with a free quote. Remember, your estimate or order for service should contain all the relevant payment information, so make sure you read and understand it before signing on the dotted line.
If any prospective movers are wishy-washy about payment or make statements like “we’ll worry about it at delivery,” politely cross them off your list.
There are plenty of other more trustworthy movers out there. For extra peace of mind, choose a moveBuddha Certified mover. Certified movers come with $1,000 in added coverage and dispute mediation through moveBuddha if payment or damage issues arise.
Want to avoid scams and make your move easier? Work with these best interstate movers! They have years of experience and thousands of satisfied customers.
Learn MoreWhich payment methods should you avoid when paying movers?
While cash and credit cards are both widely accepted, some methods leave you with no recourse if something goes wrong, and scammers know exactly which ones those are.
- Wire transfers to personal accounts: These are nearly impossible to reverse and are a favorite tool of moving scammers. If a mover asks you to wire money to an individual’s bank account rather than a company account, treat it as a dealbreaker.
- Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, and PayPal: Peer-to-peer payment apps offer little to no fraud protection when sending money to a business or individual. Unlike credit cards, there is no formal dispute process if the mover fails to show up or holds your belongings hostage.
- Cash without a signed receipt: Paying cash isn’t automatically a red flag, but if a mover won’t provide a written receipt for your deposit or final payment, you have no proof the transaction happened. Always get a signed receipt before the truck leaves.
- Blank or third-party money orders: A money order made out to a generic name or left blank is untraceable and can be altered. If a mover requires this form of payment, walk away.
Credit cards remain the gold standard for moving payments. Most major card issuers offer fraud protection and a formal dispute process, which gives you real leverage if the mover charges more than the agreed amount or damages your belongings.
How does payment work for long-distance moves?
It’s a common myth that you pay movers after they’ve unpacked your household goods on long-distance state-to-state moves.
The truth is that most van lines require customers to pay once the moving truck arrives at their new home, before the crew begins unloading.
At that point, they know:
- Shipment weight: The driver has an official weigh ticket showing the total weight of your household goods.
- Packing services: Any packing materials or packing and unpacking labor added to the job are itemized on the bill.
- Additional services: Long carries, elevator fees, shuttle services, or storage-in-transit charges are calculated and included.
- Total move charges: The final bill reflects all of the above, which is why payment before unloading is standard practice on interstate moves.
Most truck operators will only unlock the trailer or get the walk boards out once payment has been settled, because that’s what they’re instructed to do. This may sound fishy, but it’s a perfectly legit and safe way to conduct business.
Customers can get scammed by rogue movers, but moving companies also have to protect themselves against customers who can’t or won’t pay.
Once a moving company has unloaded everything, they have no leverage (short of filing a lawsuit) if the customer decides not to pay.
What is a bill of lading and why does it matter for payment?
A bill of lading (often abbreviated BOL) is the legal contract between you and the moving company. Think of it as your invoice and delivery receipt combined into one document. On interstate moves, the driver references the bill of lading at both pickup and delivery, and in many cases it’s the document you’ll need to complete your final payment.
Before your belongings leave the truck, confirm that the charges on the bill of lading match the estimate you were given. If there are discrepancies, raise them before signing. Once you sign the BOL, you’ve acknowledged that the move has been completed and the listed charges are accurate.
Pro tip: Save your BOL number somewhere easy to find on your phone before moving day. Some carriers require it to log in to their online payment portal at delivery, and hunting for a document number during a hectic move is the last thing you want. That number also lets you cross-reference the final charges against your original moveBuddha moving cost estimate.
How does payment work for local moves?
On local moves, payment usually occurs when the crew is nearly or completely finished unloading and setting everything up. Payment methods are typically agreed upon beforehand, but cash and credit cards are both usually OK.
Remember that companies tend to “hold” a few items on the moving truck until they’ve been paid in full. This gives them a measure of protection against customers who can’t or won’t pay.
Do movers require a deposit?
Most movers don’t require deposits, but it’s not necessarily a red flag if one of the companies you’re considering does.
After all, some customers cancel their moves at the last minute, so crews and trucks may go unexpectedly unused. This idle equipment amounts to lost revenue for moving companies, so some require upfront pre-move deposits to hedge their bets.
If you’ve thoroughly vetted your movers and you’re confident you’ve hired a reputable and experienced company, a 10% deposit may be reasonable.
On the other hand, if a prospective mover informs you they require a 25% or 50% deposit or even the total amount up front, that should probably be seen as a dealbreaker.
As a rule of thumb, shady movers and internet brokers are more likely to require deposits (especially large ones) than legitimate moving companies.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 4,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
How much should you tip movers?
Tipping movers is optional but common, particularly when the crew shows up on time, handles fragile items with care, and keeps the day running smoothly. The standard range is $20–$50 per mover for a typical local move, or roughly 5–10% of the total move cost for larger or longer jobs.
- Tip each mover directly: Hand the tip to each crew member individually rather than giving a lump sum to the driver or foreman. This ensures every person on the team gets recognized for their work.
- Wait until the job is done: Give tips at the end of the move once everything is unloaded and you’ve confirmed your items arrived in good condition. Tipping before the job is finished removes your leverage if something goes wrong in the final stretch.
- Adjust for difficulty: A move with multiple flights of stairs, a long carry from the truck, or unusually heavy furniture warrants a tip on the higher end of the range. Recognize the extra physical demands.
- Cash is preferred for tips: Even if you pay your final bill by credit card, movers typically prefer cash tips. Have small bills ready so you can tip each mover separately without making change.
A tip is never required, but it goes a long way in recognizing a physically demanding job done well.
FAQ
Should I ever pay all my moving costs up front?
Never. If a moving company requires a deposit greater than 10%, you should refrain from doing business with them.
Can you pay movers in cash at delivery?
Yes, most movers will gladly accept cash at delivery. However, movers should never demand payment in cash, especially if you’ve already agreed on another payment method.
Can you pay movers by credit card at delivery?
Yes, most reputable movers prefer you pay via credit card at delivery time.
Do movers carry change?
Paying with $100 bills usually isn’t a problem. Nonetheless, it’s also essential to have plenty of $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills on hand for tipping movers. Also, depending on your move cost, the driver may need more cash to make change.
Is it a scam if a mover asks for more cash at delivery?
If you’ve been given a non-binding estimate, there’s no guarantee your actual move charges won’t exceed that estimate. However, specifically regarding interstate moves, you’re protected by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 110% Rule.
Can I withhold payment until my claims are resolved?
No, you can’t legally withhold payment because you’ve experienced damage to fragile items (or any other items, for that matter) on your move.
Do some movers charge before they load my belongings?
Yes, some long-distance carriers charge before loading at origin rather than before unloading at destination. This practice is less common than payment at delivery but is not automatically a scam. The key is that the policy must be clearly written in your contract before you agree to it. If a mover announces a pre-loading charge on the day of the move without prior notice, that’s a red flag worth raising before any boxes get on the truck.
What if my credit card is declined on moving day?
A declined card on moving day can bring your move to a grinding halt, especially on a long-distance shipment where the driver won’t unload until payment clears. Call your bank before moving day to let them know a large transaction is coming, and confirm your daily spending limit covers the full move cost. Debit cards often carry lower daily limits than credit cards, so this step matters even more if you plan to pay by debit.
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
