s/o Tulsa - Moving "package" from employer?

[Pamela H in Texas]

Anyway, so hubby is negotiating moving costs from his employer. What should we ask for?  What is reasonable?  What is normal?

Part of me says that many of the costs associated are costs we would simply have.  But we really aren't in a position to move right now (which we would have planned for if WE were deciding to move outside of the job site change, right?).  

 

Part of the issue with that is that we will have to keep our Texas residence through Summer (because of Benjamin's being a foster child still, therapies, and adoption) so some of the costs will not be immediate or will be double (for example, we can move a lot of furniture but we'll need a set of many things here also).  

 

Anything else we should ask for?

[JenneinCA]

It is called a 'relocation package' here and you are correct in everything is negotiable.

 

We were set up with a real estate agent to help finding a place and then had movers come and pack for us. But other people asked for and got other things. All you can do is ask.

 

I hope your move works well.

[Arcadia]

It is a relocation package.

 

We were offered closing costs if we buy a new place as we are homeowners (renters were offered something else). We were also offered a trip to the location to house hunt before the move. Airfare for the family and movers for packing. Everything is negotiable and people negotiate for different things.

 

Relocation packages are taxable so make sure you check when filing tax next year what needs to be included in the filing.

[prairiewindmomma]

A "relocation package" or "relocation costs" are negotiated with the employer.

 

In my area, this is typically that you are assigned a real estate agent to help find a place and full moving costs (they pack, move, and unpack). This is variable, though. Depending on how long he has been with the company and what corporate culture is, the costs for one house hunting trip might be something I'd ask for particularly since U-Haul rental is considerably less expensive than full mover services.

 

 

[Amira]

Do you know what they usually offer?  I'd wait and see what they propose before suggesting anything and then you can negotiate.

I'm positive this is called something.  I just don't know what it is since we've never had a job like that.

 

Anyway, so hubby is negotiating moving costs from his employer. What should we ask for?  What is reasonable?  What is normal?

 

What is normal depends a lot on the position.  Relocation benefits for a CEO are going to be totally different than a line level worker.  

 

There is a job of "relocation specialist", which is like a super-duper real estate agent, who are almost always paid for by the employer.  I think sometimes they have set packages of services, they employer pays a fixed fee to the relocation specialist, and they do all the work.

 

Some other things you could ask for:

 

o) A paid house hunting trip.

o) A "gross up" of the relocation benefits -- as the benefits are tax-deductible, some companies will give you an extra X % to cover the tax

o) Temporary housing for a few weeks in the new city while you look for a house

o) Professional movers and storage until you find your house.

[jennynd]

We moved 2x for jobs. Both time we had about same

- mover. They pack and move.

- temerapary storage .. We had an year waiting for house to be built

- they pay few months rental, can't remember how much

- selling old house. They paid agent fee and all closing cost

- buying new house, they paid all closing cost

- one house hunting trip for entire family.

- the moving trip. Airfare and 2 cars

 

I think that is about it. It is taxable, the company did cover the tax part but it still put us in a bracket higher,

There was no negotiation for us. It is what was offered with the offere letter. I assume that was pretty standard. Both time were with good size company. Play your card wisely. Ask around people work similar job what is offered.

[lynn]

our moves consisted of. Up to 1year for home buying assistance, lump sum to cover deposits for utilities, driver license etc. House hunting trip to include transportation, hotel, food etc. The companies always covered packing, shipping, storing, per diem up to 30 and 90 days for one move. Also, Do you have extra cars to ship? Store? Will you need a car rental until you car arrives.

[StephanieZ]

"Relocation Expenses" I'd suggest a flat payment of 2-4 months salary. 

 

Some employers offer a flat amount. Others offer various line items (movers, packers, 3 months rent, house sale transaction costs or having a relocation company manage it, etc.) Some offer a choice of either a (smaller) flat amount or the higher line item expenses. This encourages folks who can self-move to take the cash and keep the extra (instead of running up a luxury packer/mover move). 

 

I'd think 2-4 months salary is in the range of reasonable. An amount closer to 1 month salary is the lowest I've heard (for new college grads who have very little STUFF, don't own homes, and are cheap and easy to move). (That was around $10k for a $100k job -- high salary tech worker.) For "grown ups" with kids, spouse, houses, stuff, 20-50k is more on the mark for a modest cost move. 50-100k for a really pricey one. 

[Tess in the Burbs]

If you need cash they usually give it as a sign on bonus...so ask high enough to pay the extra taxes you will owe since this bonus could put you in a higher tax bracket.

[Ellie]

When we moved from San Jose, California, to Texas, Mr. Ellie's company paid to professional movers, our travel expenses (we drove, because we were bringing five--yes, 5--cats), a motel here until escrow closed on our house (only a couple of days), and I think just extra cash in general. They would have paid for Mr. Ellie to fly back and forth a couple of times if he had had to start work before we were able to leave San Jose.

[foxbridgeacademy]

It really depends on your "level" and what the employer is willing to do.  First time DH got a relocation package they just cut us a check for the full amount no questions asked.  Second time(different company) they stipulated what they were willing to pay for and we had to turn in receipts (and then there was a cap). 

The second place was only willing to pay hotel, airfare, gas, meals while driving, uhaul, and if we used a moving company.  No: rent/deposits at all were allowed.  We didn't realize this (they did not mention restrictions until after we were on our way) when he accepted the position, we thought it would just be a check like the last place.  So I would get a good clarification of exactly how much they're willing to give and if you have any restrictions.  Next time (hopefully soon!) we're going to be a lot more savvy and get the details in writing.  

 

One thing I would ask for is hotel costs for XX amount of weeks (last place paid 3 weeks for us on top of relocation $$).  The hotel was the most expensive thing and we could not have swung it as well as get a house and pay deposits.

[Pamela H in Texas]

Thanks y'all.

 

This is scary just because it costs so much to move.  

And at least through September, we will have to also have our home here.

But with eight people and two dogs, it still makes more sense for us to get a house up there sooner rather than later.  And we can spend more time up there than not, I think.    

I will ask hubby to see if there is a written relocation policy.  

And I'll try to itemize a list of what they'll ideally cover.  

 

It looks as if the cost of living there is very similar to here (though we have a SWEET deal housing wise here which is going to hurt to give up).  It is just getting there that would be challenging without help.

 

 

[Laurel-in-CA]

DH's company paid for PODs -- two of them delivered early for us to pack, plus interim storage while we were waiting for escrow to close. They also referred us to a real estate agent for the area and paid for one house-hunting trip for me. DH started work in June but our house didn't sell until October, and they housed him nicely at a hotel for the interim. We wish we'd asked for some help with closing costs!!

[ElizabethB]

I would see if you could get $ and do it yourself instead of having the company pay movers, then you can be more flexible. Then, you could even hire people to do it if you need or do it yourself, and could do several small moves as needed. The Air Force offers this as a moving option, they pay you a percentage of what they would pay movers, I think 75% to 90% of the cost.

[teachermom2834]

We moved 2x for jobs. Both time we had about same

- mover. They pack and move.

- temerapary storage .. We had an year waiting for house to be built

- they pay few months rental, can't remember how much

- selling old house. They paid agent fee and all closing cost

- buying new house, they paid all closing cost

- one house hunting trip for entire family.

- the moving trip. Airfare and 2 cars

 

I think that is about it. It is taxable, the company did cover the tax part but it still put us in a bracket higher,

There was no negotiation for us. It is what was offered with the offere letter. I assume that was pretty standard. Both time were with good size company. Play your card wisely. Ask around people work similar job what is offered.

We are in the middle of relocation now and this sounds exactly like our package.  Dh is not a top level executive or anything. 

 

The realtor commission and closing costs on the sale of the house is significant.  So, if you are renters and won't have that I can imagine it reasonable to ask for some other compensation.  I really have nearly no experience though, as this is the first time we have been through it.  I never thought of negotiating it as it seemed like a pretty good package for his level position.

 

I did, just today, tell him I was surprised a personal day or two to deal with moving issues wasn't included.  Having a couple days to supervise movers, etc. would  have been really helpful.

[QueenCat]

We moved 2x for jobs. Both time we had about same

- mover. They pack and move.

- temerapary storage .. We had an year waiting for house to be built

- they pay few months rental, can't remember how much

- selling old house. They paid agent fee and all closing cost

- buying new house, they paid all closing cost

- one house hunting trip for entire family.

- the moving trip. Airfare and 2 cars

 

I think that is about it. It is taxable, the company did cover the tax part but it still put us in a bracket higher,

There was no negotiation for us. It is what was offered with the offere letter. I assume that was pretty standard. Both time were with good size company. Play your card wisely. Ask around people work similar job what is offered.

 

This is pretty similar to two companies that have moved us. Plus they gave him a week of paid time to deal with moving issues (could be used for anything). We didn't need airfare for either move.