Furniture Remover

Furniture removers move the contents of homes and offices, including furniture and personal belongings, from one location to another.

The Work

You could be:

• packing fragile objects into boxes


• lifting carpets, taking down curtains or taking apart large items such as beds and wardrobes


• carrying heavy objects like pianos up and down several flights of stairs in a tenement


• detaching, packing and reinstalling IT and other office equipment (this may be a specialist job)


• packing items into the van in a certain order, making sure that everything is fixed securely


• driving the van or accompanying the driver


• unloading the van and unpacking boxes


• putting large pieces of furniture back together


• positioning furniture in its new location.

Conditions

• You would work either for a small to medium-size local removal firm or for a large national firm of removers with branches throughout the country.


• Depending on the nature of each job, you could travel either long or short distances.


• If travelling longer distances, you might sometimes spend nights away from home.


• You might often work long and irregular hours.


• You would have to lift and carry heavy weights.


• You might sometimes work in cold, draughty or dusty conditions.


• You would be working in all weathers.

Getting In

• A good general education is useful.


• You need to be strong and fit.


• If you are going to be driving the removal van, you need an appropriate driving licence, preferably a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence together with the Certificate of Professional Competence (also known as the Driver CPC). The minimum age requirement is 18 years of age. Further details are available from the Driving Standards Agency's website.

What Does It Take?

You need to be:

• fit, energetic and hard working


• honest and reliable


• careful with fragile or valuable goods


• aware of health and safety issues


• pleasant and helpful with people


• able to make quick decisions.

• common sense


• the ability to work as part of a team


• stamina.

Training

• You would train on-the-job, learning from experienced removers.


• You would learn a variety of removal techniques, including lifting and handling, packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, together with the handling of valuable goods.


• Your employer may also wish you to attend courses run by the British Association of Removers (BAR).


• You may be able to train for an LGV driving licence and Driver CPC.


• You may be able to gain Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).

Getting On

• Furniture removal firms are found in towns and cities throughout the country. Generally, there is always work for these firms.


• With experience, you might go on to specialise in moving goods that need particularly careful handling, such as antiques and works of art.


• In larger companies, there may be opportunities for promotion to posts such as supervisor or manager.


• You could become self-employed.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.