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) 

Duties and responsibilities vary from one employer to another but, in general, furniture movers:

• greet customers and take an inventory of furniture and equipment being moved long distances, noting any existing defects or scratches
• cover floors and woodwork in the home to protect them from damage
• determine special packing and wrapping requirements for items such as artwork, electronics, antiques, beds and appliances
• wrap and pack items, making sure that everything is secure
• courteously but briefly answer customers' questions or refer questions to office staff
• determine the order in which to load furniture to ensure that bulky or heavy items are placed in the lower part of the truck box or moving van
• work with a partner or use dollies or straps to move very heavy items such as appliances and large pieces of furniture
• carry articles and boxes to the moving van
• arrange articles in tiers to form a compact load, using padding and straps to secure articles and prevent shifting when the truck is in motion
• complete a walk around inspection with the customers to ensure that all items have been loaded 
• drive moving vans to local or long distance destinations
• lay out floor runners and determine where items should be placed at destination points
• accept payment from customers before unloading and provide receipts when required
• remove straps and padding from articles and unload vans
• reassemble furniture pieces that were disassembled for the move 
• clean up and make sure everything has been delivered in the same condition as it was when picked up
• have customers sign the bill of lading and inventories.

If anything is found to be missing or damaged at the time of delivery, furniture movers must note the details so the company can trace the item or compensate the customer.

Furniture movers also may:

• drive long distances
• make minor repairs to furniture and equipment.

A part of their day is spent riding in a van but, most of the time, furniture movers are on their feet. They frequently move items weighing over 55 kilograms and must use proper equipment and lifting techniques to avoid injury. Some furniture movers wear uniforms.

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

Furniture movers need the following characteristics:

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

They should enjoy:

• handling, sorting and packing materials
• using tools and equipment
• arranging articles to form compact, secure loads
• 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 furniture movers may specialize in particular types of activities such as office moves or installations. If they have the required driver's licenses 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. Other positions in large moving companies (for example, dispatcher, estimator, advisor for international moves) may require a high school diploma and basic computer skills such as word processing and creating spread sheets. Some experienced furniture movers purchase their own trucks or tractor trailers and become independent operators who 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.

Over 22,100 Albertans are employed in the Material handlers occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 398 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As furniture movers form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for furniture movers.

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

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

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.