5 Questions To Consider Regarding Relocation Benefits

Moving to a new city or state for a job can be overwhelming, especially if you have to pay for the entire relocation yourself. However, many businesses offer relocation benefits for new employees. Different businesses may offer much more robust benefits. Therefore, it's important to know exactly what is covered. Check out these five questions to consider about relocation benefits to ensure your move is smooth.

Does the Employer Provide a Moving Company?

One of the worst parts about moving is packing all your items, hauling them to the new home and unpacking them again. Luckily, if your business offers relocation benefits, they will likely help by paying for a moving company or moving truck. In some cases, you may be expected to pack all your items yourself, but the movers will put them in the truck and take them to your new home. However, depending on how badly the company wants to recruit, they may provide better benefits that include movers who pack all your items for you.  

Where Will You Live Once You Move?

If you move within the same town or to a nearby town, it's easy to find a new home because you still live in the area. However, moving across the country makes it harder to find a home. You may have to rely solely on looking at homes online, which means you won't get to physically see your home until you move. If you have the money, you may be able to visit the area to learn the area and find a home. Some relocation benefits may even include some assistance in finding a home, such as flying you out to look at homes, providing a real estate agent or even offering temporary housing.

Does Your Spouse or Partner Need a Job?

So many households rely on two incomes to stay afloat, which can become an issue when one partner gets offered a job in another city or state. Unless your partner works from home or their company happens to have an office in the same city as your new home, they are going to have to find a new job, too, which can be difficult or even impossible to find before you actually move. If you are worried about not being able to find work for your partner, talk with your new employer. They may be able to offer them a job within the company or offer resources and contacts who may have jobs.

Will You Need a Cash Stipend?

A move is expensive and can easily go over budget because you have no idea what living in the new city is actually like until you are there. This can make it extremely difficult for families to afford housing, food, and other necessities, especially before the first paycheck. This can be exacerbated if you have to move before your job starts to handle some business before you can start working, such as selling your old home, finding a few facility for a dependent aging parent, etc. Some business offer a stipend in their relocation benefits that makes the move a little easier and less stressful on your bank account.

Should You Try Negotiating for Better Benefits?

Most likely, your employer is not going to give you all the benefits you want, but that doesn't mean the decision is final. There is no harm in trying to negotiate for better benefits. Start by learning exactly what is and is not covered so you have the information you need to better negotiate. When negotiating, however, don't shoot for the moon. If your new employer only offers a moving truck and job for your spouse, they likely aren't going to pay for temporary housing and give you a cash stipend, too. They may, however, pay for a professional moving company to drive your items to the new home, so you don't have to drive the moving truck yourself.

Relocation benefits can make moving to a new city much easier for you and your family. Whether or not your new employer offers relocation benefits or not, consider negotiating for some assistance. Get started to day by finding a qualified and affordable moving company, such as Two Guys and a Truck, in your area, so you have someplace to start the negotiations.