Many removal services also offer temporary storage of furniture and possessions, and provide specialist services, such as house and office clearances, home de-cluttering and piano moving. Some removal services also provide disaster removal on behalf of loss assessors, for example to remove damaged furniture and possessions from properties following floods or fires.

Removal services are subject to a considerable amount of legislation, for example relating to the licensing of operators, managers and drivers, working time restrictions, vehicle safety, and health and safety at work.

Removal service operators and staff must be fit and healthy as their work typically involves long hours and a considerable amount of manual lifting and handling.

This profile provides information about starting up and running an independent removal service. It describes the skills required, the training available, the current market trends and the key trading issues. It also explains the legislation that must be complied with and provides sources of further information and support.