Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of a Removals Team Leader

For most people, moving house or relocating an office can feel like one of the most stressful days in one’s life. But behind the scenes, our Branch Manager has carefully planned every detail of the move, ready to hand over to the removals team. On the day, you’ll have one point of contact to ensure everything is on schedule and keep the removal running smoothly. Meet your Removals Team Leader. 

This dedicated leader is responsible not only for logistics, but also for reassuring clients, supporting the removals team, and making sure each box, antique heirloom and cherished belonging arrives safely at point B. 

Here to show you what a typical day in the role looks like is Jarreh, a Bishop’s Move Crawley Removals Team Leader who spends his days managing moves and creating happy customers. From the early morning introductions through to the final sign-off, they will walk you through what really happens behind the curtain on moving day. 

6:00 AM – An Early Start on Moving Day

The alarm goes off before the sun comes up, and my first order of business for the day is a strong cup of tea. Then I check through the day sheet that the Branch Manager finalised and briefed me on. Every single move I lead is different, so preparation is key. By checking the route, reconfirming the size of the job and making sure the right equipment has been allocated, I can try to get ahead of any unwanted surprises that could pop up throughout the day. 

Before I head off to the branch, I check in with all the members for today’s move just to make sure everything will proceed as normal. Today, we have a piano that needs to be lifted, so reminding the team of the tasks that lie ahead of us is really helpful.

7:00 AM – Meet the Team at the Branch

By this point, the team is all gathered at the branch and ready to start the day. As Removals Team Leader, it’s my job to make sure everyone understands their duties for the day. We start with a quick briefing, going through the number of rooms we’re clearing in the house, how to approach the piano, and what the customer has flagged as a priority. 

Next, we check everything over. Going over the removal vehicle, making sure everything is secure and that we’ve packed all the right materials like padded blankets and sofa covers. For this job, we completed the packing the day before, so we’ve packed a few reinforced boxes, acid-free paper and some bubble wrap – just in case anything needs to be repacked or if the customer has found some last-minute items that need to be packed before loading. My experience has taught me that it’s these little details that can save us from problems later on in the day. 

Once we’re happy that everything is ready to go, it’s time to hit the road. 

8:30 AM – Arriving at the Customer’s Home

Pulling up outside the property is always a key moment. It’s their moving day, usually a day that’s been months in the making. Understandably, nerves can run high. It’s my job to set the tone right away, with a warm introduction, a reassuring smile, and a quick chat about how the day will go. 

Before a single box is loaded onto the van, we’ll do a walkthrough of the house together. This is where I take note of anything fragile, oversized, or particularly important to the family. These are the details that matter most to our clients, and when I can respond competently and with reassurance, it means the world to them. 

Once the plan is agreed, I run through the crew’s tasks with them one last time, now that we’re on site. Everyone makes note of their assignment for the day, like who’s tackling the bedrooms, the garage and so on. 

11:00 AM – Packing Up the Van

By late morning, the move is in full swing. Because the team packed up the house the day before, today’s job is just all about getting everything safely into the vans and ready for transport. Time is often tight because in the UK, completions typically happen around midday. So we need to make sure the property is cleared, and the client is ready to hand over the keys as early as possible. The last thing we want is the new owner’s moving van turning up while we’re still loading.

This is where the strong teamwork at Bishop’s Move really shines. I direct the crew so that the heaviest, bulkiest items go in first. Think wardrobes, appliances, sofas, and the piano. Then boxes and lighter goods are stacked around them. It’s like a giant game of Tetris, but one where you can’t get the balance wrong. 

As the Removals Team Leader, I keep a close eye on doorways, staircases and anything awkward. There’s usually at least one sofa or bedframe that doesn’t quite fit through a doorway or hall, slowing things down and forcing us to reroute, dismantle, or find a clever workaround. And we always do. Clients are often amazed at how calmly and smoothly we address these things.

11:30 AM – Quick Break Before the Push

Now that everything is loaded up, the removals team stops for a quick break and some lunch before we head off to the new property. It’s not a long break; we’re on a tight schedule, but enough for everyone to get some food and take a breather. It makes all the difference before that final push!

I also use this time to hold a final walkthrough with the customer, just to make sure nothing has been missed, so that we can move on to their new home.

12:00 PM – Clearing Out for Exchange

We’re ready to go. We give everything in the van one last check, ensuring everything is stable for the journey. We shut the doors, secure the locks and prepare to roll off the drive. 

At this stage, the pressure lifts slightly for the client. Now they can focus on the legal side of the exchange, while we focus on the road ahead. 

The crew piles into the vehicles and gears up for the next phase – transporting everything safely to the new property. For us, it’s about timing the drive to arrive as close as possible to when the client gets the keys, so unloading can begin without delay.

12:30 PM – On the Road

With the vans packed and the doors secured, we set off for the new address. This is often the calmest part of the day, but it still requires focus. Driving a fully loaded removals van isn’t your normal commute. Every turn, every stop, every pothole matters when you’re caring for someone’s entire household of belongings. 

I lead the convoy, checking in with other drivers by phone or radio in case we get separated. At the same time, I’m touching base with the client. They call when their solicitor confirms completion, and this means timing is everything. Ideally, we want to arrive at the new property just as they’ve picked up the keys. 

Sometimes traffic can throw a real spanner in the works, so I always have a few alternative routes planned out. Years and years on the job have taught me which roads to avoid during school pick-up time, or which town centres clog up at lunchtime.

In many cases, completion can take place much later in the day, causing delays and added stress for everyone involved. This client chose our Late Key Waiver, giving them peace of mind that no unexpected overtime costs would apply if completion took longer than planned. Thankfully, everything ran smoothly and right on schedule. 

By the time we pulled into the new street and the keys were finally in hand, I could see the familiar look on their faces: relief, excitement, and a little tiredness as the next stage began.

1:30 PM – Unloading and Placing Furniture

As soon as the keys are in hand, we get straight to work. My first job is always to walk through the new property with the client and confirm where the large pieces of furniture will go, and understand which rooms require which boxes. 

Then the unloading begins. Heavy furniture comes off first, followed by the boxes. It’s a coordinated effort: two crew members carrying items in, another inside guiding placement, and me keeping an eye on the bigger picture. I make sure door frames are protected, fragile items are handled carefully and that the flow moves on nicely.

There’s usually a moment when something doesn’t fit as expected, and today it’s the piano. The front entryway is just too narrow to get through without moving legs, which we really want to avoid. Thankfully, it’s a tight but possible squeeze through the garden gate, and the kitchen bifold doors create the perfect opening to get the piano in. This is where experience matters. Sometimes the answer is to dismantle, but today we managed an alternate route. 

By mid-afternoon, the empty vans outside are the best sign of progress. The house starts to look like a home, with furniture in place and boxes ready to be unpacked.

3:30 PM – Helping the Client Unpack

The last thing anyone wants after a long day of moving is to be left with stacks and stacks of boxes to unpack. In this case, we’ve been asked to help with the essentials – kitchenware, clothing, and the children’s rooms, which need setting up. 

This stage is less about speed and more about care. We’ve ensured that labelled boxes have already been stacked in the appropriate rooms, so all we have to do is open them and get unpacking. For the client, this part of the day brings a real sense of relief. After weeks of planning and packing, seeing their belongings filling their new spaces, ready to use and in place, makes it all feel real and within reach. For us, it’s satisfying to know we’ve made the transition easier, taking at least some of the stress out of moving day. 

5:00 PM – Wrapping Up the Day

By late afternoon, the heavy lifting is done, and the new home has started to take shape. Furniture is in place, boxes are in the right rooms, and the client can finally begin to settle in. Everyone is more relaxed than they were at 9 AM that morning, but it has still been a long day.

Before we leave, we make sure everything is tidy. Spare boxes, wrapping paper and packing materials are gathered up, and our equipment is packed neatly back into the van. I carry out a final walkthrough with the customer, checking they’re happy with where everything has been placed.

As we’re finishing up, the client thanks the crew for all their hard work and leaves us a tip, which is a thoughtful gesture after such a long day. It’s never expected, but moments like that are always appreciated and remind us how much trust people place in us during a move.

Then it’s time for me and the crew to load back into the vans and return to the branch. Every single move brings its own challenges, but the reward is always the same: knowing we’ve made someone’s big move smoother, calmer and a little more memorable for the right reasons. 

Moving house is never just about boxes and furniture. It’s about people, their belongings and memories, and starting the next chapter of life on the right foot. Bishop’s Move takes the responsibility of enabling this to heart. If this is the kind of moving experience you want, speak to us about our house removal services. We’re ready to help.