Talk to me about relocation packages

[tacosforlife]

I have always ignored these because I was all, "LOL, like we'll ever get relocation!"

BUUUUUUT H is starting to look more at jobs in the Midwest and has a videoconference interview with one this week. He is not sure if the position is high enough to come with a relocation package. (I'm really not sure what the title of the position is or how far up the food chain it is.) Has anybody ever negotiated a relocation package? Whether you negotiated for it or were offered, what was included with your package?

While I would LOVE full service movers, I am also fine with packing stuff ourselves and even driving the truck if we need to. But I would love for the company to pick up the cost of movers on both ends of the move, the cost of the truck and gas. That would free us up to deal with security deposit, first month's rent, etc.

Since we wouldn't be asking for assistance with buying or selling a house, this strikes me as something reasonable that H could likely negotiate. I mean, $5,000 would be plenty. Am I thinking about this right, or are the cold meds getting to me?

[Pom]

Last one: Mr. P received 3 months of salary which covered apartment, storage and rented furniture while we looked for a house. Unfortunately, the search ended up being 11 months. The cost of packing and movers was simply submitted to the company and reimbursed. I believe that was around $5400 for a city truck, 3 movers and 4 hours of transportation and transfer into storage.

[tacosforlife]

Jan 26, 2015 9:16:21 GMT -5 Pom said:

Last one: Mr. P received 3 months of salary which covered apartment, storage and rented furniture while we looked for a house. Unfortunately, the search ended up being 11 months. The cost of packing and movers was simply submitted to the company and reimbursed. I believe that was around $5400 for a city truck, 3 movers and 4 hours of transportation and transfer into storage.

::faints::

[AAM2012]

We got a full relo and didn't negotiate since there was nothing further we really needed.

EDIT: delete


$5,000 is nothing....I would wait to see what (if any) they offer and go from there.

[UnderProtest]

My husband's company has certain packages that come with different levels of relocation assistance. $5,000 sounds like a bare bones package. Don't undervalue yourselves or your time.

[tacosforlife]

Jan 26, 2015 9:19:26 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

My husband's company has certain packages that come with different levels of relocation assistance. $5,000 sounds like a bare bones package. Don't undervalue yourselves or your time.

This is so hard for me to figure out. We have never, ever had a job that offered this kind of stuff. Heck, this is my first job with a retirement program.

He is skeptical that relocation would be included at all, so I'm just wondering if they don't offer him relocation, what is reasonable to ask for up from nothing?

[tacosforlife]

Jan 26, 2015 9:19:26 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

My husband's company has certain packages that come with different levels of relocation assistance. $5,000 sounds like a bare bones package. Don't undervalue yourselves or your time.

Also, this is what I'm asking about. Can you provide more information? I have NO idea what is reasonable for a relo package. None. I have no idea if people throw you $100 and call it a day or provide you a shirtless cabana boy to coordinate the whole thing.

And again, we don't have a house to sell, so the pp who mentioned realtor, closing costs, etc....that's all irrelevant to us.

[Balki.Bartokomous]

Ours was a full relo:

3 day trip to apartment hunt
Paid for temporary housing for him for a month or two
Paid for movers to pack, move & unload us
Paid for both cars to be transported

Then all of that was taxable so they covered taxes as well.

I was amazed at how much was actually covered for someone below manager level.

[UnderProtest]

Jan 26, 2015 9:22:54 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Jan 26, 2015 9:19:26 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

My husband's company has certain packages that come with different levels of relocation assistance. $5,000 sounds like a bare bones package. Don't undervalue yourselves or your time.

This is so hard for me to figure out. We have never, ever had a job that offered this kind of stuff. Heck, this is my first job with a retirement program.

He is skeptical that relocation would be included at all, so I'm just wondering if they don't offer him relocation, what is reasonable to ask for up from nothing?

Shoot.  I wish I had saved the relo paperwork from when they were trying to move us to Seattle.  It was full service movers, car transport, flights from our current city to Seattle, a COLA, a tiny bonus.  Oh, and a vague promise of promotion.  Our international move was MUCH better, full service movers, storage, car selling assistance, house hunting trip, pet moving allowance, COLA, etc.  It would also include language lessons and help for me to find a new job.  Really, companies will do a TON if they want you.  

In your case, I think it would be reasonable to ask for full service movers (you guys aren't new grads paying your friends with pizza), a house hunting trip/apartment hunting, car shipment (depending on how far it is), and a signing bonus or relo bonus to pay for security deposits and utility hook ups.  Really, you don't know unless you ask.  

[tacosforlife]

@songforyou, I think we will drive for our actual move on account of the kitties. I imagine that it will be easier on everyone if we drive. I am also not sure that Fatty would fit underneath a seat ( ), and I could never send him in the cargo hold.

[lindyanne]

We got a flat amount (ended up being about 1.5 months of his salary in the new location but it was HCOL) plus three months in a furnished apartment which was plenty since we were renting or we would have negotiated more. That paid for packing supplies, an apartment hunting trip, moving all our household goods 2700 miles, moving one car, driving the other car plus three nights hotel and food, and our realtor fees for selling our house. It's been eight years but I think that's it.

[gt7301b]

My package was similar to AAM2012's,

-lump sum ($xx,xxx) which was to include (if we wanted) a trip out to find a place, temp housing, getting our house ready to sell, flights, deposits for utilities, rental car, etc. The value of the lump sum was based on the per diem in the location where we moved
-mileage and expenses during the physical move, meals, hotel (separate from the lump sum
-full movers (we didn't touch a thing, we had to sign a waiver for stuff that was already stored like Christmas decorations)
-a realtor at both places to sell and buy a home (they provided contacts, or we could use our own)
-no closing costs when we sold and when we buy within two years
-tax assistance, this turned out fine for us

[Deleted]

When I graduated I got a job about 3 hours away. They gave me full service movers, 30 days in a hotel and travel money if I was coming from farther away (plane tickets) I was 21 and it cost $6500. I didn't really own much. I would see what they offer you but I think you could easily hit $5000.

[tacosforlife]

OK, I am thinking that the minimum he wants to ask for is:
Apartment-hunting trip
Full service movers
Signing bonus of one month's salary to cover security deposit and our actual driving expenses

Obviously we'd love more, but I'm sort of thinking toward what to ask for if nothing is offered. I really don't want to pay for another cross-country move, but part of me is hoping H gets this Chicago job. I think I'm ready to move again!

[womet]

When we moved, we got a full pack out, storage of our household goods while we were in short term housing, per diem for me (100%) and H (75%) while we were in short term housing. Oh, I also got the gov't to pay for breaking our lease in our old apartment.

So will you be able to transfer with your job, or will you be looking for something new too?

[tacosforlife]

I guess my question is about what is reasonable to ask for if nothing is offered. Because going from 0 to Deluxe Relocation Package seems unlikely, no?

I just feel like relocation packages aren't actually all that common, but I don't know. We certainly didn't get one to move out here.

[Deleted]

In my experience, this varies by the type of company and the type of job. For example, if he's looking for a job at a university, he's not likely to get as much covered as at a private organization that has more money available.

Where I work now, there are 3-4 relocation packages and they depend on how much the person's salary is. The higher the salary, the more relocation covers. I don't know all the fine details, but I think it covers 1-2 house hunting trips, all transportation and relocation of property, and depending on your level also includes a cash bonus for incidentals, corporate housing while you get settled, etc.

I got relocation when I first moved for my job after grad school. They paid for a house hunting trip (hotel, meals, mileage) and a full service move. They also paid mileage/hotel for when I moved down here. They would have transported vehicles but it was only a 5 hour drive so I drove (and they paid mileage on my XH's car too, I think). I also got a 2k sign on bonus which wasn't offered to me as a relocation bonus, but I think that's what it was. I was working for an educational non-profit (not a school) and was only making 45k in a coordinator role, so not high level exec or anything like that. I don't think my former employer offers relocation for that level anymore, though.

[LoveTrains]

I was offered $1,000 to help defray relocation expenses at my current job, just to put things in perspective from the fancy packages others are offering.

I know drloretta has experience in relo.

I have some friends that got relo assistance and they almost always cover the full service movers (full pack, move, unpack).

[womet]

Jan 26, 2015 9:45:29 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

I guess my question is about what is reasonable to ask for if nothing is offered. Because going from 0 to Deluxe Relocation Package seems unlikely, no?

I just feel like relocation packages aren't actually all that common, but I don't know. We certainly didn't get one to move out here.

I would think about what you would be happy with and then ask for a bit more than that, so you have negotiating room if they agree to provide relocation assistance.

[iheartbanjos]

MAKE SURE YOU RECIEVE TAX ASSISTANCE ON ANY AMOUNT THEY GIVE.

We've moved twice with relocation packages. Once was a direct bill scenario where they just paid for the moving, hotels, etc. the other, they cut us a check for $60k. Both times, they provided tax assistance, which was huge.

The full service move the first time cost $10k and the second time was around $6k. We would never move without packers at this point. If you're selling a house, think of all the costs associated with that. Not just realtor fees, but getting the house ready to sell.

[tacosforlife]

Jan 26, 2015 10:11:46 GMT -5 iheartbanjos said:

MAKE SURE YOU RECIEVE TAX ASSISTANCE ON ANY AMOUNT THEY GIVE.

We've moved twice with relocation packages. Once was a direct bill scenario where they just paid for the moving, hotels, etc. the other, they cut us a check for $60k. Both times, they provided tax assistance, which was huge.

The full service move the first time cost $10k and the second time was around $6k. We would never move without packers at this point. If you're selling a house, think of all the costs associated with that. Not just realtor fees, but getting the house ready to sell.

OK, no offense, but it's like you didn't even read my OP.

But thanks for the tip about tax assistance. I vaguely remember moving costs having tax implications from law school, but that class was at 8:30 in the morning so I remember jack shit.

[noodleoo]

I've never moved for a job, so no real advice. However, my friend recently did (she's a PhD Scientist, if that helps for the level info). They didn't offer full service relocation, but she got an $8K sign on bonus to cover her moving expenses. She was a renter also, so they organized the entire move themselves.

Her H ended up moving later (also PhD scientist) and he got an even better package with his move, although I don't know what the details were.

I'd say it is definitely worth asking for $5K to $10K if they offer nothing. Although if they are interviewing your H from outside the area, they are probably expecting to pay *something* to assist with the move. Unless they said from the outside that no moving assistance would be offered (some places put that in the job ad when they post it).

[LoveTrains]

Jan 26, 2015 10:19:28 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Jan 26, 2015 10:11:46 GMT -5 iheartbanjos said:

MAKE SURE YOU RECIEVE TAX ASSISTANCE ON ANY AMOUNT THEY GIVE.

We've moved twice with relocation packages. Once was a direct bill scenario where they just paid for the moving, hotels, etc. the other, they cut us a check for $60k. Both times, they provided tax assistance, which was huge.

The full service move the first time cost $10k and the second time was around $6k. We would never move without packers at this point. If you're selling a house, think of all the costs associated with that. Not just realtor fees, but getting the house ready to sell.

OK, no offense, but it's like you didn't even read my OP.

But thanks for the tip about tax assistance. I vaguely remember moving costs having tax implications from law school, but that class was at 8:30 in the morning so I remember jack shit.

It is interesting to hear about the tax implications. I was given $1,000 for move assistance but I just submitted the bill to my employer and they cut me a check for $1,000. I don't know that it was ever on my taxes. But what I do know is that you can deduct moving expenses if you moved for a job.

See: www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc455.html

[jene]

I had 3 long distance moves that have had relo with them. The packages were similar to those listed above.

I received:
Lump sum (more if you were homeowner, I think the lump sum for renters was around $5k) The lump sum could be used for whatever you wanted, but was intended to help with moving expenses, house hunting, etc.
Full Service Move
A realtor for selling current place, one at new location for buying. Before we bought, they set us up with a realtor did all of our apartment hunting for us and then took us around and showed us all of them.
Temporary storage (up to 60 days) of goods
No closing costs, realtor fees, and preferred lenders when buying a house

Good luck!

[hbomdiggity]

It's really all over the board.

My law firm recently gave a 4th year $3k.

In 2007, my H was a low level engineer and got over $30k - full service movers, ship 1 car, house hunting trip, temp housing for 3 mos, and mileage and hotel reimbursement to drive my car cross country.

[hbomdiggity]

Jan 26, 2015 10:46:03 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Jan 26, 2015 10:19:28 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

OK, no offense, but it's like you didn't even read my OP.

But thanks for the tip about tax assistance. I vaguely remember moving costs having tax implications from law school, but that class was at 8:30 in the morning so I remember jack shit.

It is interesting to hear about the tax implications. I was given $1,000 for move assistance but I just submitted the bill to my employer and they cut me a check for $1,000. I don't know that it was ever on my taxes. But what I do know is that you can deduct moving expenses if you moved for a job.

See: www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc455.html

you can't deduct what was paid for by someone else.

Instead it's treated as income so they usually give you more to cover the taxes.

[M]

I got nothing...but I guess that's typical for feds? Well the director did offer me her place for 3 months rent free. I just have to cat sit because she is going out of country. So that's a pretty sweet deal for me lol.

If H gets the job he interviewed for (we should hear back this week!), they offer:

-packers
-movers
-2 car transport
-1 month rent if we have to break our lease
-1 month of flights in between training weeks to deal with moving
-1 month of hotel stay

[LoveTrains]

Jan 26, 2015 11:03:50 GMT -5 hbomdiggity said:

Jan 26, 2015 10:46:03 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

It is interesting to hear about the tax implications. I was given $1,000 for move assistance but I just submitted the bill to my employer and they cut me a check for $1,000. I don't know that it was ever on my taxes. But what I do know is that you can deduct moving expenses if you moved for a job.

See: www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc455.html

you can't deduct what was paid for by someone else.

Instead it's treated as income so they usually give you more to cover the taxes.

I think what I was trying to say is that even if she doesn't get a cadillac move package that she may able to deduct some of her moving expenses. But IDK if you have to itemize to claim them.

[keweenawlove]

My postdoc offer included $1k for moving expenses. I wasn't expecting much at all from a university.

[crashgizmo]

My DH did a lateral move with his company to move here, and relocation was not typically included with a lateral.

He negotiated 2 house hunting trips and a lump sum (they gave us $13K which was already taxed, so it didn't effect our taxes). We liked the lump sum idea rather than reimbursements because I wasn't going to be working right away so it was better to drive a Uhaul (we had packers and loaders though) and save the cash to pad our efund until I found a job.

The job I just started (in non profit, so not much relo) has us moving about 90 miles away, so really not much of a move and it was our choice) but I got a small "bonus" (about the equivalent of one paycheck) just as an incentive to start earlier. I thought that was nice.