Do I tip furniture or appliance delivery?
Furniture and appliance delivery is an optional tip sized to how much the crew actually did. For a real carry-in, hauling a couch upstairs, placing it, and taking the packaging, $5–$20 per person is customary. A box on the porch needs nothing.
Check the receipt first. Some retailers fold a delivery fee or gratuity into the order, in which case the crew may already be paid. A freight fee, though, doesn't reach the people carrying the couch, and cash does.
Zero is fine for a doorway drop. A crew that carried, placed, assembled, and cleaned up earns a per-person cash tip.
Two people carrying a sofa up two flights and hauling away the box: around $10–$20 each in cash.
When to tip more
A carry to an upper floor, tight access, on-site assembly, or haul-away of old furniture pushes toward $20 per person or more.
Quick questions
Do you tip furniture delivery?
It's optional: $5–$20 per person for a real carry-in and setup, nothing for a sealed box left at the door.
Is a delivery fee the same as a tip?
Usually not. Most delivery fees are freight charges that don't reach the crew. Check the receipt, and tip cash if the fee isn't a gratuity.
Related situations
Verdict based on: Consumer Reports (2024), NerdWallet (2025).
Tipping guide · Methodology.
General etiquette guidance, not financial or legal advice. Norms vary by region and situation, and tipping is always your call.