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How Long Does it Take to Relocate for a Job?
Relocating for a new job can be exciting and stressful at the same time. You have to sell your home, pack your things, and find another dwelling within the moving timeline given by your new company. The whole process can definitely drain you, physically and financially.
Realistically, the process of relocating for a job can take two to eight weeks. However, many employers only give their employees two to four weeks to move. And during this span of time, employees are expected to find a new home, schedule movers, pack, and a lot more.
Did your boss ask you to move overseas in just two weeks? Worry not because this blog details what you can expect when relocating!
What is a Job Relocation?
Job relocation or employee relocation typically occurs when a company asks their employee to move to another location to accept a new position. This is common for companies where there are overseas operations. They offer their employees certain benefits to make the move worthwhile.
New hires are also commonly asked to move when they accept a job offer. This is if they live far from the office and it affects the operation of the company.
How Long Does it Take to Relocate for a Job?
With all the preparations that need to be made, the process of relocating for a job can take two to eight weeks.
This is assuming that the employee was able to sell his old house fast on the local real estate market or he got a cash offer. Depending on the situation, it may take six months to move before the start date.
There is really no standard timeline when relocating for a job when you accept a new job offer since every individual is unique.
For example, a minimalist employee who doesn't own much and has no emotional attachment to his old dwelling may only take two weeks to pack and move when switching jobs. Meanwhile, a family with kids and pets may need more than two months in order to sort out everything and relocate.
How Long Do Companies Give You to Relocate to a New City?
No labor laws dictate how much time your boss should give you to relocate before your start date. It's really a matter of negotiating with them.
However, following basic industry standards, you'll probably be given two to four weeks for the moving process. But this can still vary depending on how eager they are to have you in their company and how soon they need you for their business.
Note that the relocation timeline is different from the deciding timeline. If you are offered a job in a different state or across the country, your employer should also give you time to think about it— at least one to two weeks. Once you accept their offer, that's when the relocation timeline starts.
How to Negotiate Your Relocation Timeline for a New Job
You will have some negotiating power over your relocation timeline if you're a valuable employee of the company. If they are asking you to move in an unreasonably short period of time, prepare a counteroffer so you can be given additional time. Here's what you need to do:
- Tell your employer how grateful you are for the job offer and how much the relocation excites you.
- Specify the date when you can comfortably move.
- Provide them with a document detailing the time estimates for your relocation preparation such as selling your house, packing, finding a new home, etc.
There's no assurance that your request for extra time will be approved, but you won't know without trying, right?
Relocation Timeline
This relocation timeline can also serve as your to-do list in moving. Feel free to copy and print this to use as your checklist when you move to a new city or new country.
8 Weeks Before Your Move
Visit Your New Office and Connect with Employees
Your new company may provide a plane ticket to visit the new job site eight weeks prior to your move. This is to save you from being jittery the first day when you relocate. You can skip this if your new employer already flew you out for the job interview.
If you get the opportunity to chat with your fellow new co-workers, especially those who also relocated, you can ask for some tips on getting settled.
Ask Your Employer or Future Employer About Relocation Packages
Talk to the human resources department regarding the relocation package they offer. A majority of companies cover moving costs or part of them, so be sure to avail yourself of this benefit.
Research the Cost of Living
The cost of living in a new city may cause you stress if you haven't done your research. Thus, before your move, find out the costs of gas and transportation, food, temporary housing or rentals, and other essential services so you can plan how to save.
6 Weeks Before
Search for New Housing
If you are moving permanently, start your search for a new home. Remember that not all house sales close fast and you still have to negotiate with the seller, so put in an offer for a house as early as now.
When looking for a property, ensure it's in a safe place potentially near your company's office.
Plan Your Budget and Track Your Relocation Costs
Ask around for the most affordable but trustworthy moving companies before committing to one. Moving is expensive, so we recommend planning your budget to save money. Also, track every single dollar and keep all the receipts so your company can reimburse you after your move.
Set a Schedule with a Moving Company
Once you find a reputable moving company, set a schedule for a moving date. Ideally, you should move during weekdays or off seasons, so the moving costs are cheaper.
Book a Secure Storage Unit
If there isn't a new home or rental waiting for your belongings in the new location, reserve a storage unit where the movers can unload your things.
4 Weeks Before
Look for Temporary Housing
One month after you accept your new position, check out rentals in the area near your company's building. This is so you have a place to stay temporarily while you're still looking or negotiating for a new home.
You can do this online 4 weeks out; just be sure that the landlord of the new apartment you'll choose is professional.
Contact Car Shipping Services
If the company isn't providing you with a new car after your relocation, you can check out car shipping services to help you bring your old car to the state you're moving into.
Shop for New Wardrobe
In case your old company was located in a much colder or hotter place than where you're moving to, you may have to shop for a new wardrobe.
For example, if you are relocating to Texas, lightweight clothing may be necessary. Meanwhile, if you are moving to New England, packing warmer outer layers will be more useful.
2 Weeks Before
Transfer Utilities
Inform your current utility servicers about your move and ask them to transfer the utilities to your new home if you are moving across town. Meanwhile, if you are moving across the country and someone has already bought your home, setup or transfer utilities to your name in the new home.
Identify Your Route to the Office
You don't want to be late for your first day of work, so as early as now, identify the routes going to your office. Determine which has less traffic or which goes through cafes or restaurants where you can pick up some food before work.
Day Before
Pack Essentials
You may not be able to immediately receive your moving stuff when you move cross country. Typically, you need to wait a week for your other things or belongings to arrive.
Thus, packing a bag full of your essentials will be handy. This includes clothing, toiletries, electronics, chargers, shoes, medications, etc.
After Moving
Research State Laws
The last thing you want to happen when you accept a new position and move to a new location is to be apprehended for unintentionally breaking the law.
Of course, before you go anywhere, do quick research on the laws that differ from your previous location. This applies to tax laws as well.
Rent a Car
If the route to your office is a bit far from public transport, consider renting a car. This is if you haven't received the car you shipped through the car shipping service. Once your car arrives, don't forget to update your driver's license.
Speed Up the Relocation Timeline: Sell Your House to a Cash Buyer
Many relocating employees depend on the sale proceeds of their old home for the down payment of a new property in another city and funds to start a new life. Thus, if the old home didn't sell, their cross country move is delayed.
If this is your problem, you may want to consider selling your house to a cash buyer. A cash buyer can buy your house as fast as seven days, so you'll meet the moving timeline set by your boss.
A house sale through a cash buyer is relatively faster than a traditional sale because lenders are removed from the picture. Cash buyers do not need any mortgage company to assist them financially in buying the house. In traditional sales, lender approval often takes a few weeks, which delays closing.
Another reason why getting a cash offer can speed up your relocation is that you won't have to make any repairs and conduct open houses. Cash buyers purchase houses as is-- this allows sellers to save on making repairs or marketing the property.
Cash Offer Process
Getting a cash offer to sell your home is pretty easy-- typically, you just have to call the cash buying company for an offer or fill out a form on their website.
They will then setup a visit to your property to formulate an accurate cash offer. If you accept their cash offer, you would need to sign a contract and close on the house according to your timeline. You can also choose your move-out date or ask for a rent-back agreement if your relocation is several months out.
In case you have already moved cross country to accept a new position but want to get rid of your old property, they can also help you out. Working with a cash buyer is a fast and convenient way to sell your house when relocating.
Final Thoughts: How Much Time Does it Take to Relocate for a Job?
Now that we have established it takes two to eight weeks to relocate cross country, you can start planning now and preparing for your move. If you think the time given by your employer isn't enough, respectfully negotiate with them. After all, they won't be asking you to move to another city if you aren't a valuable employee.
To speed up your relocation, connect to us at Sell My House Fast! We'll give you a fair cash offer for your old home and pay you fast, so you have enough money to make a down payment on a new home.
Give us a call at (844) 207-0788 or fill out our form below to explore all of your options for your relocation!
