Yeah, offer them something to drink, and kick them a tip if your local region has a tipping custom of some sort.

Offer nonalcoholic drinks during and a cold beer after. Don't help. As a matter of fact stay away unless they ask otherwise. You are just an insurance risk. Don't be rushed and do NOT sign off on the delivery until you have really checked that everything has been delivered in good order. (I learned the hard way). I have never heard of tipping movers anywhere that I have moved but that could be different in your area I suppose.

Make sure to tell the movers what they should pay special attention to (eg sensitive equipment, valuable articles, glassware...) and how to better protect it. I have had experience with several different moving companies and in rare occasions they really needed me to make some suggestions. Especially the last group who were not seasoned professionals (ahem!)

I also tipped (NY). Depending on the time frame, offer sodas/water and allow for a little break for lunch (no, don't offer that)

Also, plan where everything goes in the new place so that you don't have to drag and pull yourself as much.

Not about the movers, but the moving: Make sure all your remotes are packed with items they remotely control, as well as stuff like cables, etc.. Likewise any screws, knobs, etc. that have to be removed (you can use tape to attach them to the inside of a drawer, for example.

Have one box of "you" stuff so you don't have to unpack several boxes to do anything simple like bathe or sleep or even eat take-out. Include toothbrush/paste, soap, razor, towel, change of clothes, aspirin and any other important meds, maybe bottle of water/drinking glass, fork/knife/spoon etc., plus toilet paper (very important!), and maybe light bulbs. Also pack all your immediate bedding into one box, and when you get there set the bed up first and make it. That way when you drop exhausted, you'll have something to drop onto.

Be sure a friend has a second set of keys to the new house before you move, and it would be really good to have a couple of people with you to keep an eye on things; between the confusion of open/unlocked doors, an open moving van and everything back and forth, it's not so hard for someone ambling by to decide to help themselves to an item or two. Plus, if you number the boxes, one of the people with you can tick them off as they are brought into the house.

I always supply lots of water during the move, and ask if they drink beer sometime before the last load. If they do, I buy a 12-pack and give it to the movers along with their tip at the end of the move, along with about $20 per hour tip for them to split. (Movers cost $80-100/hour around here, so your rate may vary.)

Thanks, all ('specaillay taz!). Here's hoping it goes smooth.

These guys are $75 an hour with a 5 hour min. I'm thinking we'll be fine with that time frame but what do I know?