Packing
The Philadelphia Packing Checklist: Room-by-Room in One Weekend
Packing a Philadelphia rowhome is not the same as packing a suburban split-level. You are working with narrow staircases, tight door frames, and a loading window that depends on the block. After thousands of moves across the city, this is the room-by-room order our crews use to pack a two-bedroom in a single weekend without losing anything.
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Start with supplies, not boxes you already have
Grocery-store boxes fail halfway up a Fishtown staircase. Buy small boxes for books and dishes, medium for kitchen and closets, and large only for linens and pillows. Small boxes carry weight; large boxes carry volume.
For a two-bedroom, plan on roughly 15 small, 20 medium, 10 large, two rolls of packing tape, one bundle of packing paper, and a marker per person. If you would rather skip the run to the store entirely, our packing service brings materials with the truck.
- •Small boxes: books, dishes, canned goods, tools
- •Medium boxes: pots, small appliances, clothing, toys
- •Large boxes: bedding, pillows, lampshades, winter coats
- •Wardrobe boxes: hanging clothes you do not want to fold
Pack in this order: storage, decor, kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom
Begin with the basement, closets, and storage areas — anything you have not touched in six months. Then decor and books. The kitchen comes next because it takes the longest, followed by bedrooms. Bathrooms and daily essentials go last, into a clearly marked open-first box.
Label every box with the destination room, not the origin room. On moving day the crew is placing boxes in your new home, and 'Kitchen' saves ten minutes over 'Sarah upstairs'.
Moving in Philadelphia soon? Compare our moving and packing services or book your move online.
The Philly-specific details movers wish you knew
Measure your front doorway and the tightest turn on your staircase before packing furniture. If a dresser will not clear, we can disassemble it — but knowing in advance keeps the estimate accurate.
Reserve street space early. Many blocks in South Philly and Center City need a parking permit or at least a friendly neighbor holding two spots. The closer the truck parks, the fewer billable minutes on a long carry.
What to pack yourself vs. what to hand off
Clothes, books, and linens are easy DIY wins. Mirrors, TVs, glass tabletops, artwork, and full kitchens are where damage happens and where professional materials matter. Most customers pack the soft stuff and let us handle fragile and bulky items the morning of the move.
If you are running short on time, tell us what is left unpacked when you request an estimate so the crew arrives with the right materials and crew size.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I start packing for a Philadelphia move?
Start three weeks out with storage and closets, and aim to have everything but daily essentials boxed 48 hours before the truck arrives.
Do movers bring packing materials?
Yes. Our packing service includes boxes, paper, tape, and blankets, and can cover a single fragile room or your whole home.
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