Philadelphia Apartment & High-Rise Movers
Towers, doorman buildings, new condos and fourth-floor walk-ups. We handle the paperwork, the elevator and the stairs.
- Family-owned since 2007
- PUC A-8916211
- USDOT 2173383 · MC-888055
- BBB A+ rating
- 2024 Readers’ Choice Best of Main Line
Apartment moves take more than a truck
Buildings have rules. Miss one and your move can stall in the lobby. Our crews move apartments in Philadelphia every week, so we plan for the rules before we arrive.
Center City towers often need a certificate of insurance, a booked freight elevator and a loading dock time. University City buildings fill up at the start and end of the school year. New condos in Fishtown and Northern Liberties may have tight garages and small elevators. Walk-ups in South Philly and Fairmount need strong crews and good stair work.
We ask about all of it during your estimate. Then we build the day around your building’s move window.
Your apartment move checklist
1. Ask management for move rules
Request the COI requirements, move hours, elevator rules and loading dock details for both buildings.
2. Send us the COI request
Forward the building’s certificate holder details. We have the certificate issued to them.
3. Book the elevator
Reserve the freight or padded elevator for the whole move window, not just part of it.
4. Plan street parking
No dock? Get a Temporary No Parking permit so the truck can park near the entrance.
How we protect your building and your things
- Elevator pads and floor runners in hallways
- Door jamb guards on tight entries
- Furniture wrapped in pads before it leaves the unit
- TVs and art in boxes or wrapped cartons
- A crew leader who talks with the front desk
Building managers want movers who respect their space. We keep hallways clear and finish inside the time you booked. That keeps your deposit safe and your neighbors happy.
Looking for more on city apartments? Read LiteMovers’ Philly apartment movers guide or see our Rittenhouse Square and Old City pages.
Student and short-notice apartment moves
Late May, August and month-end dates are the busiest times for apartment moves in Philadelphia. If you are a student at Penn, Drexel, Temple or Jefferson, book early and ask about storage over the summer. LiteMovers offers college student moving and storage.
Need to move this week? Call us. We often have openings on weekdays, and a smaller move can fit into a busy schedule.
Moving into a new-construction building
New buildings in Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Graduate Hospital and along the Delaware waterfront have their own quirks. Elevators may be small. Garages may be too low for a moving truck. Loading areas can be shared with deliveries and trash pickup.
Ask the leasing office three questions before you book: Where does the truck park? Which elevator do movers use? What hours are allowed? Send us the answers and we will plan the crew and the timing to fit.
Apartment moving FAQs
What is a certificate of insurance and why does my building need one?
A certificate of insurance, or COI, is a document from the moving company’s insurer. It proves the movers carry liability coverage while working in the building. Most Philadelphia high-rises and managed apartment buildings require one before move day. Send us your building’s COI requirements and we will have the certificate sent to management.
Do I need to reserve the freight elevator for my move?
In most apartment buildings, yes. Management usually assigns a set move window and a freight or padded passenger elevator. Reserve it as soon as you know your date, because weekend and month-end slots go fast. Share the time window with us so we can schedule the crew around it.
Can LiteMovers move me out of a walk-up apartment?
Yes. Walk-up moves are common in Philadelphia, from South Philly rowhome apartments to Fairmount triplexes. We send a crew sized for the stairs and carry every piece. Tell us the floor, the width of the stairwell and any large items during the estimate so we plan the right crew.
Moving into or out of an apartment?
Send us your building’s move rules and we will build the plan around them.