Furniture Mover

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Material Handlers (manual) (7452.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Material Handlers (H812) 
• 2011 NOC: Material handlers (7452) 
• 2016 NOC: Material handlers (7452) 

Duties and responsibilities vary from one job to another. In general, furniture movers wrap and pack items, making sure everything is secure in the vehicle. They take an inventory furniture and equipment, noting existing defects or damage. They also:

• Greet customers and politely, but briefly, answer questions or refer customers to office staff
• Cover floors and woodwork to protect them from damage
• Determine special packing and wrapping requirements for items such as artwork, electronics, antiques, beds, and appliances
• Carry articles and boxes to the moving van
• Create an accurate inventory as items are loaded into the van
• Place bulky or heavy items in the lower part of the truck box or moving van
• Arrange articles in tiers, using padding and straps to secure items and prevent shifting when the truck is moving
• Complete a walk-around inspection with the customers to ensure all items have been loaded
• Take photos with a smartphone
• Drive moving vans to local or long-distance destinations and unload at destination
• Accept payment from customers before unloading and provide receipts when required
• Lay out floor runners and determine where items should be placed at destination
• Check inventory as items come off the truck
• Reassemble furniture pieces at destination
• Clean up and make sure everything has been delivered in the same condition as when it was picked up
• Have customers sign the bill of lading and inventories

If anything is missing or damaged at the time of delivery, movers must note the details. This enables the company to trace the item or compensate the customer.

Furniture movers may drive long distances. They may make minor repairs to furniture and equipment.

Part of a furniture mover’s day is spent riding in a van. However, most of the time they are on their feet. They frequently move items weighing over 55 kilograms. They must use proper equipment and lifting techniques to avoid injury. Most movers wear uniforms. These are either supplied by the company or sold to movers at a discount.

Employment may be seasonal. The peak season is from May to September. Volumes increase at the end of each month.

Furniture movers need:

• Physical strength, stamina, and co-ordination
• The ability to write clearly and follow written and spoken instructions
• The ability to judge distances and space
• The ability to organize their work and time
• A customer-service orientation and the ability to get along with customers who are often under stress
• The ability to work independently and also co-operatively with fellow workers
• A neat appearance

They should enjoy handling, sorting, and packing materials. They should be comfortable arranging articles to form compact, secure loads. They should enjoy using tools and equipment and dealing with the public.

Most furniture movers start as helpers employed for the summer months by transportation, storage, and moving companies.

Employers offer full-time, year-round positions only to their most experienced and productive workers.

Experienced movers may specialize in particular activities, such as office moves or installations. If they have the required driver’s licences and endorsements, they may move into local or long-distance driver positions. Van supervisory positions require good customer-relations skills, the ability to handle the required paperwork, and driving qualifications.

In large moving companies, positions such as dispatcher, estimator, or advisor for international moves may require a high school diploma. Theses positions may also require basic computer skills, such as word processing and creating spreadsheets. Some experienced movers buy their own trucks or tractor-trailers and become independent operators. They may contract their services to long-distance movers or to the public.

Furniture movers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7452: Material handlers. In Alberta, 83% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Transportation and Warehousing (pdf)
• Wholesale Trade (pdf)
• Retail Trade (pdf)
• Manufacturing (pdf)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• Occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• Size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

In Alberta, the H812: Material Handlers occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 398 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) website: www.mover.net

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.