Removals worker

Removals workers move household and office furniture and other items from one location to another.

Also known as: Removals porter

• Starter salary£22,000 a year
• Experienced£26,000 a year
• Typical hours40 to 45 a week

What you'll do

As part of a team of removals workers, you would:

• check job instructions with customers, listing items to be moved
• remove items like sofas, table, beds, carpets and kitchen appliances
• take apart large pieces of furniture or equipment to make them easier to remove
• pack items, load them into a vehicle and secure them safely
• make sure fragile or sentimental items are handled with care
• drive to the new location and unload items
• fill out inventory documents for items being sent overseas

Working environment

You could work at a client's home, at a client's business or on the road.

Your working environment may be physically active and you'll travel often.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• administration skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of geography
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to become a removals worker

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Removals Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, with a removals firm.

This can take around a year to complete and combines on-the-job training with learning off site.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Direct application

You could apply directly to removals companies and receive on-the-job training. You do not need any particular qualifications to start.

Good customer service skills are important for dealing respectfully with clients and their belongings.

Some jobs combine removals work with driving duties. You may have an advantage if you have a Category C1 licence that allows you to drive vans between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes.

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

• have a good level of fitness
• pass a medical check

You'll need an LGV licence if you're going to be driving larger removals lorries over 7.5 tonnes.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a:

• supervisor, removals co-ordinator or manager
• removals HGV driver
• specialist, for example, working in office or exhibition removals

You might also start your own removals or house clearance company.

Career tips

Experience of delivery driving or warehouse work could be helpful when applying for jobs.

Guides for this industry

• Transport & Logistics: pay, interviews and getting started →

Related roles

• Job rolePacker
• Job roleWarehouse worker
• Job rolePostperson
• Job roleDelivery van driver
• Job roleBus or coach driver

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