You’ve booked your movers, circled the date on the calendar, and now the reality is setting in: move day is coming fast. The difference between a smooth Philadelphia move and a stressful, expensive one usually comes down to what you do in the two weeks beforehand. This guide walks you through exactly what to handle and when.

Below is a complete moving day checklist for Philadelphia residents, organized by timeline so nothing slips through the cracks. We’ve built in the local details that trip people up here specifically, like street parking permits, row home hallway clearance, and elevator reservations, plus straightforward guidance on paperwork and tipping. Read it through once, then use it as your countdown.

2 Weeks Before Move Day

Two weeks out is when the logistics that require lead time need to be locked in. Handle these now and the rest of your prep gets much easier.

• Secure your parking permit. In Philadelphia, a moving truck needs legal curb space, and that’s the client’s responsibility to arrange, not the mover’s. Apply for a temporary no-parking permit through the Philadelphia Parking Authority well ahead of your date so the signs are posted in time. Don’t leave this to the last minute, because without reserved space your truck may end up parked far from your door, and extra carrying distance can add to your hourly cost.
• Reserve the building elevator (if you have one). Many Philadelphia apartments and condos require you to book the freight elevator in advance and may limit which hours moves are allowed. Call your building management now to confirm the deadline and any rules.
• Confirm your services with Midas. If you want packing services, furniture disassembly and reassembly, or moving supplies like boxes and materials, let us know ahead of time so we can plan for it. These are available but need to be arranged in advance rather than sprung on the crew that morning.
• Start gathering supplies. If you’re packing yourself, get boxes, tape, and bubble wrap now so you’re not scrambling later.
• Book any add-on services elsewhere. Schedule utility transfers, internet installation at the new place, and any cleaning services.

1 Week Before Move Day

With the big logistics settled, this week is about packing in earnest and clearing the physical path for the crew.

• Pack room by room and label every box. Write the destination room and a quick description on each box. Clear labeling means the crew places boxes in the right rooms the first time, which saves you sorting later and keeps an hourly move moving fast.
• Disassemble furniture you can handle yourself. Beds, table legs, and simple shelving you take apart in advance is time the crew doesn’t spend on the clock. Keep screws and hardware in labeled bags taped to each piece. (If you’d rather we handle disassembly and reassembly, just arrange it with us ahead of time.)
• Measure your Philadelphia row home hallways, doorways, and staircases. Narrow row home entries and tight turns are the number one surprise on move day. Measure your largest pieces against your doorways and stairwells now so you know what fits and what may need to come apart or go out a window.
• Confirm the parking permit signs are scheduled to be posted. Follow up if you haven’t seen confirmation.
• Set aside items you don’t want loaded. Valuables, medications, and important documents should travel with you, not on the truck.

48 Hours Before the Truck Arrives

The final two days are for finishing packing and getting your money together, literally.

• Pack an “open first” essentials box. Include toilet paper, phone chargers, basic tools, a change of clothes, toiletries, snacks, medications, and anything you’ll need the first night before you unpack. Label it clearly and keep it with you.
• Finish all packing. Everything except your essentials box and last-minute items should be boxed, taped, and labeled. A crew that arrives to a half-packed home spends billable hours waiting or packing for you.
• Get cash for the tip. Plan to tip your movers and have the cash ready (more on the recommended amount below).
• Confirm the arrival window with Midas. A quick check-in avoids any morning-of confusion.
• Empty and defrost the refrigerator if it’s coming with you, and drain any gas equipment.
• Clear the parking spots covered by your permit and put the posted signs in place if you haven’t already.

The Morning of Move Day

Move day itself should feel like the easy part if you’ve done the prep. Here’s your morning-of routine.

• Do a final protective pass. Lay down floor coverings in high-traffic areas and prop or pad doors, especially in a row home where the crew will be squeezing through tight spaces repeatedly.
• Make sure the truck’s path is clear. Confirm the reserved curb space is open, the elevator is available if you booked one, and hallways and stairwells are unobstructed.
• Walk the crew through the home. Point out fragile items, anything that shouldn’t be loaded, and which boxes are marked for special handling.
• Keep your essentials box, valuables, and phone with you at all times.
• Stay reachable. Be available to answer questions rather than disappearing mid-move; a quick decision from you keeps the crew from stalling on the clock.

Understanding the Paperwork

A professional move comes with a small amount of paperwork that protects both you and the movers. Don’t rush through it.

• Inventory list. Review the inventory of what’s being loaded and confirm it’s accurate before signing off. This is your record of what went on the truck.
• Bill of Lading. This is the contract for your move and the receipt for your goods. It lays out the services, the terms, and the charges. Read it before you sign and ask about anything you don’t understand.
• Final walkthrough. Before the crew leaves the origin, walk every room, closet, basement, and the yard to confirm nothing was left behind. Do the same reverse walkthrough at the destination to confirm everything arrived and nothing is damaged.

Tipping Etiquette for Philadelphia Movers

Tipping isn’t required, but it’s a well-established courtesy for a crew that does hard physical work and treats your belongings with care. For Midas movers, we recommend a tip of 20%, in cash. Cash is preferred because the crew receives it directly on the day.

To calculate it, take the labor portion of your total and apply 20%. If you’d rather split the tip among the crew yourself, hand each mover their share directly at the end of the job. If you were especially happy with the service, tipping on the higher side is always appreciated. Have the cash set aside in advance, since scrambling for an ATM at the end of a long day is the last thing you’ll want to do.

After the Movers Leave

Once the truck pulls away and the crew is gone, a few final steps wrap things up.

• Unpack your essentials box first so your first night is comfortable.
• Reassemble the beds (or confirm the crew did) so everyone has somewhere to sleep.
• Check that utilities are on at the new place and note anything that needs a service call.
• Break down and recycle boxes as you empty them to reclaim space.
• Keep your Bill of Lading and inventory list until you’ve fully unpacked and confirmed nothing is missing or damaged.

How to Use This as a Printable Checklist

To turn this guide into a printable checklist, copy the timeline sections into a document and format each item as a checkbox line. A simple structure works best:

1. 2 Weeks Out: permit, elevator, confirm services with Midas, supplies, utilities.
2. 1 Week Out: pack and label, disassemble furniture, measure hallways and doorways, confirm permit signs, set aside valuables.
3. 48 Hours Out: essentials box, finish packing, get tip cash, confirm arrival window, defrost fridge.
4. Move Day Morning: floor protection, clear the path, walk the crew through, keep essentials with you.
5. Paperwork: inventory sign-off, read the Bill of Lading, final walkthrough.
6. After: unpack essentials, reassemble beds, check utilities, keep documents.

Print it, stick it on the fridge, and check items off as you go. A visible list is the simplest way to make sure nothing gets missed in the rush.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a parking permit for a moving truck in Philadelphia?
Yes, and arranging it is the client’s responsibility, not the mover’s. You’ll need a temporary no-parking permit from the Philadelphia Parking Authority to reserve legal curb space for the truck. Apply well in advance so the signs are posted in time. Without reserved space, the truck may have to park farther away, which can increase your carrying distance and your cost.

How much should I tip my Midas movers?
We recommend tipping 20% of the labor portion of your move, in cash. Cash is preferred so the crew receives it directly on the day. If you’d like, you can hand each mover their share individually at the end of the job. Have the cash ready in advance so you’re not searching for an ATM when the move wraps up.

How is a Philadelphia move priced, and how can I keep the cost down?
Midas Movers prices moves based on hourly labor and distance. Because time is a factor, anything you do to speed up the crew lowers your bill: finish all packing before they arrive, label boxes by room, disassemble simple furniture yourself, and secure a close parking permit so items don’t have to be carried far. If you’d prefer we handle packing or furniture disassembly and reassembly, just let us know ahead of time.

What is a Bill of Lading and why do I sign it?
The Bill of Lading is the contract for your move and serves as the receipt for your belongings. It spells out the services being provided, the terms, and the charges. Read it carefully before signing and ask about anything unclear. Along with the inventory list, keep it until you’ve fully unpacked and confirmed nothing is missing or damaged.

Does Midas Movers provide boxes and packing supplies?
Yes. We can provide packing services, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and supplies such as boxes and materials. These need to be arranged in advance, so let us know when you book or as early as possible before your move day so we can plan for it.