I regard Removal workers as one of the highest skilled working groups of any industry
Removal workers are classed as unskilled labour.
There is no career path into removals through apprenticeships, college courses or other recognised training courses, there are in house training courses and trade association backed training courses, but on the whole the only experience is gained from learning the ropes and getting stuck in!
This was how I learned many years ago, from employing experienced staff that I watched and learnt from. This experience I passed on to the staff I worked with and so on and so forth.
The problem with this is that due to the nature of the business and the perceived image of the industry in the eye of the consumer (in many cases) results in a high turnover in staffing.
Many removal companies use staff as an expendable resource and as such don’t offer an incentive to stick around, it is true to say that they often value the removal crew in a similar light to many customers.
Unskilled, Really?
The industry is regarded as unskilled in many cases so the revenues available to companies are restricted and as a result the wages are low, not only this the working hours in a week are very long and unpredictable due to the nature of the business.
If this was not bad enough the antiquated moving system causes delays on moving day that are totally unpredictable and quantifiable, resulting in a working day where you never know what time you will finish work, and as there is often Saturday work as well, the only day of the week you can
guarantee to be home at a certain time is Sunday.
Removal work is hard physical work, the crew have to load by a certain time and unload as efficiently as possible, there is no allowance for extremes of weather such as snow, rain and searing heat, or long walks if the lorry can't get up the lane. They will often have to
carry awkward and heavy items up several floors, they will remove doors and windows if required and even
hoist furniture outside
the building to gain access.
Protecting Your Belongings is Paramount
Your removal crew will protect your treasured possessions and place them in your new home in the same condition they were at the last, they will
dismantle and re-assemble your beds and wardrobes, they will unplumb your washing machine and dishwasher.
They will
protect your property with specialist covers. They will offer advice on furniture positioning and as a result may have to move things around many times, they will
help where possible with locating stop cocks or electric meters and help with setting up your TV.
They will remain
positive and will make sure you are getting a first class service. They even sometimes have to be marriage councillors! (Moving is stressful)
So is it any wonder I have come to this conclusion?
In reality I have done them a disservice and painted a too rosy picture but you get the point!
At AJ Stephenson Removals
Although I am aware that the industry is low value low wage, I try to pay a living wage and cut no bones that I feel they deserve much more for the work they do.
This is why I have made a promise to them that I will make this company the
premium provider of quality removal services in the UK, where everyone knows the service they get from us is world class.
Resulting in them knowing they have a future in a company where they are truly valued and appreciated and can share in the success of the business.
If you want to
meet the team give us a call and speak to one of our team and they will make the arrangements to look after you and your move.
So it is possible to
deliver a quality removal service with unskilled removal men? Impossible!

We are often looking for well motivated, positive people to join our team, If you feel you have what it takes fill in our application form on our website.
