Alberta’s moving sector is responsible for transporting furniture and other items from one building to another, whether for residential or commercial customers. Moving services often involve more than transportation. Some moving companies completely pack and unpack items to take care of all moving-related work for their clients.

Drivers in this sector not only drive the trucks that transport furniture, but they also generally assist with loading and unloading items. They have to plan out their loads to maximize space without damaging cargo and may move loads within a single town or across the country.

  • Seasonality

    Work is nonseasonal, but it’s often slower in the winter months.

  • Method of Pay

    Drivers and movers are generally paid a combination of distance-based pay (i.e., by the mile) for driving and an hourly rate for loading and unloading. However, pay could be based on commission, a percentage of the load’s revenue, or a combination of other factors.

Equipment and Tasks

The equipment and tasks movers encounter will vary greatly depending on the quantity of items moved and the distance travelled.

  • Equipment

    Drivers will see vehicles ranging in size from smaller cube vans and straight trucks up to sleeper cab tractor-trailers pulling 53’-long trailers. A variety of hand trucks, pads, dollies, and other items will also be seen to help with the loading and unloading process.

  • Tasks

    Drivers can expect to perform common driving-specific tasks, like city and highway driving, pre-and post-trip vehicle inspections, cargo securement, and customer service-related responsibilities. Working with a variety of customers, such as office managers and homeowners, and having to account for items and any damage (pre-existing versus from the trip) makes attention to detail and patience key qualities in a mover. Drivers must also commonly coordinate the activities of labourers that are specifically hired to help with loading and unloading.

Lifestyle in the Industry

Residential moving and commercial moving are physically demanding and can be especially stressful when working with challenging customers. There are often opportunities for local and long-distance work, depending on the specific employer’s operations.

  • Work Shifts

    Shifts will vary depending on the distance travelled and could be up to the legal limit (14 hours of work in a 16-hour window). Loading and unloading are generally done during daytime hours, and driving may take place at night.

  • Physical Demands

    Moving is often extremely physically demanding when the driver is required to do the loading and unloading, especially when moving heavy furniture and items like pianos.

  • Work/Life Balance

    Local movers may be home every night, whereas long-distance moving may require drivers to be away for weeks at a time, particularly if their employer ships throughout North America.

  • On-Call

    On-call work is not common in this sector, but drivers may be asked to assist other movers with little notice.

Getting Started

Larger companies have online application systems, but smaller employers may have to be researched and contacted directly. Once a driver has passed the pre-hire safety checks and is hired, they’re orientated by the company and can expect a period of supervision.

Since movers generally work in crews to help handle the items being moved, it’s often possible to start as a labourer and then move into a driving position. Additionally, many moving companies operate smaller vehicles that don’t require a Class 1 licence. This allows drivers the opportunity to start on smaller vehicles while training for a commercial licence.

  • Mandatory
    Requirements

    Drivers will need the right class of licence for the vehicles they drive, which could be a Class 5 for smaller vehicles and up to a Class 1 for tractor-trailer units. Criminal record checks, drug and alcohol testing, and physical fitness assessments are also common employer requirements.

  • Preferred Skills &
    Previous Experience

    Previous experience in moving and freight handling are assets, as is previous driving experience. Attention to detail, calmness under pressure, and good customer service skills are also important for employers in this sector.

Red Flags

Drivers in this sector handle heavy items, work with the public, and often have to coordinate work crews. Those interested in starting a career as a driver in this sector should be on the lookout for these potential red flags (aka signs that an employer may not be operating safely):

  • Equipment and vehicles that are in poor condition.
  • Being pressured to become an owner-operator early into one’s career or any other signs of employee misclassification.
  • A lack of safety training by an employer, including transportation-specific training for the vehicles being driven and training on how to safely load and unload equipment.
  • Pay deals that put a lot of financial risk on the employee driver.
  • A lack of safety training and personal protective equipment meant to reduce the risk to the body from heavy lifting and overexertion.
Quick Facts:
  • Movers require great skill to transport household and commercial belongings without damage.
  • Moving services are physically demanding but also offer many opportunities to learn and grow in the transportation industry.
  • Drivers in this sector may be able to work into progressively larger vehicles.
  • Drivers may have to coordinate work crews and work closely with clients.

More Help

Are you interested in learning more about working safely in transportation? Check out our Resources page for insights from industry experts and organizations. We’ve taken great care to present information relevant to those interested in truck and bus driving careers, those already employed in trucking or busing, and employers navigating labour challenges.

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Contact Information

If you have questions or want to learn more about the content of this website, please contact the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA). AMTA employs experts in trucking and busing across Alberta. We would be happy to help you further.

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