Local Moving
Moving a Philadelphia Rowhome: Stairs, Parking, and Permits
A Philadelphia rowhome move is won or lost before the first box leaves the house. Staircase width, the turn at the landing, and how close the truck can park drive almost every minute of crew time. Here is how to prep all three.
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Measure the three chokepoints
Front doorway, the narrowest staircase turn, and the bedroom doors upstairs. Write the numbers down and compare them against your largest pieces: box spring, sofa, dresser, and mattress. Anything within two inches should be planned as a disassembly.
Queen box springs are the classic rowhome casualty. Split box springs solve it permanently if you are already replacing one.
Claim the parking before moving day
A truck parked four houses down adds a long carry to every trip. Talk to neighbors the day before, and check whether your block needs a temporary no-parking permit. Twenty minutes of coordination routinely saves an hour of billed time.
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Protect the floors and the walls
Original hardwood and plaster corners are what make these homes worth buying and what gets damaged first. Runners in the hallway, corner guards on the stairwell turn, and blankets on banisters are standard on our crews, but clearing the path yourself makes all of it work better.
- •Clear the hallway and stairs completely before arrival
- •Prop the front door and remove the storm door if it swings inward
- •Take art and mirrors off stairwell walls the night before
Sequence the load for a narrow house
In a rowhome the crew works top-down and back-to-front: third floor first, then second, then the first-floor rooms furthest from the door. Staging boxes near the front door only works if you leave a clear lane through the middle.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a parking permit to move in Philadelphia?
On many blocks a temporary no-parking permit is the reliable way to guarantee truck space. At minimum, coordinate with neighbors the day before.
Will movers disassemble furniture that will not fit the stairs?
Yes. Beds, sectionals, and large dressers are routinely broken down and reassembled at the new home.
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