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Moving to a new home in a different city or state can be an exciting yet stressful experience. There are so many details to coordinate – from finding a new place to live, shipping your belongings, changing schools, updating records, and more. This is where relocation services can make a big difference.
A relocation service is a company that provides support to individuals and families during a move. They manage and facilitate many aspects of the moving process so you can focus on transitioning to your new location. Corporate HR departments usually hire and pay for relocation services when they transfer employees domestically or abroad. But families can also directly work with a relocation service when arranging a long-distance personal move.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore all the ins and outs of relocation services. With the right relocation service by your side, moving can be straightforward versus extremely painful. Let’s get started!
You may need to read our blog: Expert Tips for Commercial and Office Relocations
WHAT EXACTLY DO RELOCATION SERVICES DO TO HELP WITH A MOVE?
Relocation services act as your central command station before, during, and after moving. They swoop in to handle tiny administrative tasks and huge logistical challenges alike – becoming your one-stop-shop for uprooting your life.
Some standard services provided include:
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
Top relocation companies have vetted partnerships with rental companies, real estate agencies, and community organizations in your new region. They help you identify ideal neighborhoods, preview homes online or during house-hunting trips, negotiate leases or mortgages, and schedule moving day deliveries.
MOVE LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT
This includes securing reputable movers, having your items professionally packed, arranging vehicle transport or storage, completing all paperwork and insurance claims, tracking shipments door-to-door, and managing any lost luggage issues.
EXPENSE MANAGEMENT
Your relocation provider will do all budget calculations, offer moving packages and discounts from partners, provide detailed estimates, process payments to vendors, review final invoices for accuracy, and ensure your relocation allowance goes as far as possible.
DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL ASSISTANCE
Need help staging your old home for real estate showings or cleaning your new place before moving in? Want to set up utilities or WiFi in advance? Has someone received your shipment when it arrived? Relocation pros handle these and other essential startup/shutdown tasks.
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INTRODUCTIONS
If relocating with kids, your provider can liaise with your new school district, research childcare options, connect you with parent groups and kids’ activities, identify registration deadlines and immunization requirements, and more – easing a child’s transition.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
From acquiring new government IDs and transferring medical/financial records to updating mailing addresses and registering to vote, relocation services do the essential drudge work required when moving.
CULTURAL AND LANGUAGE GUIDANCE
For global moves, having a provider well-versed in your destination country who can offer insider housing tips or expectations, provide translators, or arrange necessary work visas is invaluable.
TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATIONS
If your move is delayed or closing on your new home is still pending after you depart, the best relocation companies can set you up with fully furnished, short-term corporate apartments near work and schools.
SPOUSAL/PARTNER JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE
For partners who need help finding a new position, some relocation firms offer career coaching, resume building, networking contacts and introductions, interview prep, access to job banks, and more employment resources.
There are also special services like home-finding tours, household goods shipping for speciality items like pianos or art, pet relocations, car shipping, destination services to acquaint you with your new area, and other a la carte offerings.
KEY ATTRIBUTES TO SEEK OUT IN A RELOCATION SERVICE PROVIDER
Once you know the general types of moving companies available, focus on these markers of an ideal relocation services partner:
YEARS OF INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Look for ample expertise guaranteeing exposure to myriad relocation challenges and solutions to avoid amateur errors or knowledge gaps when issues arise. Longevity also equals dependability.
STRONG CUSTOMER SERVICE PHILOSOPHY
You want a committed, responsive contact overseeing your move from day one until well after you’re settled, who provides reliable support via phone, email, text, and more.
ROBUST NETWORK
Examine if the provider has thoroughly vetted partners worldwide or domestically. Hence, you always have trustworthy feet on the street during each move phase and can accommodate needs as they evolve.
SEAMLESS COMMUNICATION FLOW
Opt for consistent contacts who loop in other departments or specialists so requests don’t fall through the cracks, and you don’t repeat details unnecessarily. Updates should also be proactive versus you chasing progress.
METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL
Look for proactivity catching essential items you may overlook when orchestrating an entire household move from addresses to appliance voltage. Exacting precision also ensures smooth arrivals.
INNOVATIVE, HIGH-TECH TOOLS
Digital resources like real-time shipment GPS, interactive home finders abroad, moving checklists, and customized portals simplify monitoring complexity. Tech fluency equals savvier service.
FULL TRANSPARENCY AROUND COSTS AND CONTRACTS
Ethical conduct means zero hidden fees. Every mileage rate, association charge, exchange policy, insurance mandate, gratuity expectation, etc., should be clarified upfront with signing requiring initialing by sections.
CULTURAL INSIGHTS FOR OVERSEAS
For global relocations, localized expertise around securing essentials like residence visas or paying taxes in your new country prevents massive headaches down the line.
STANDBY SUPPORT IF ISSUES ARISE POST-MOVE
Choose a provider who promises accessibility and accountability even once you’re settled. If previously unforeseen challenges eventually arise, you can call on their assistance in resolving matters.
TOP REASONS TO UTILIZE RELOCATION SERVICES FOR A MOVE
After learning precisely what relocation companies provide and typical costs, does enlist help still seem worthwhile when moving yourself appears more affordable? Yes! Consider key advantages:
STRESS AND HEADACHE REDUCTION
Removing the chaos of handling all vendors, payments and the crush of details provides mental relief alone. You also avoid moving disasters caused by novice coordination.
TIME SAVINGS
You may invest minimal hours upfront conveying needs and preferences, then checking in periodically versus burning nights and weekends, navigating endless logistics solo.
MONEY MAXIMIZATION
Getting professional discount rates on contracts versus retail pricing saves thousands. Expert strategic budgeting also catches unnecessary costs you may overlook when DIYing under pressure.
PERSONALIZED SERVICE
Having an advisor who knows your family, locations, lifestyle, and limitations means tailored recommendations around each recommendation to best suit your needs.
CONVENIENCE AND EFFICIENCY
Lean on experts already having reputable partners on standby to get things done versus time wasted vetting dozens of companies yourself.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT
When using just one overseeing contact, the buck stops with your relocation provider if things go sideways, so you avoid blame games ping-ponging between vendors.
PEACE OF MIND
Much like hiring movers to avoid physical strain, hiring a relocation pro prevents mental anguish. Removing burdens leads to actually enjoying your move adventures!
CONCLUSION
Relocating to a new home can be an incredibly exciting adventure but also highly stressful without the right support system. As this ultimate guide outlines, relocation services exist as an extra set of hands when you need them most – your central command for tackling all aspects of a move so you can focus on enjoying fresh starts ahead. Whether needing extensive help or just a few items checked off your list, explore reputable relocation companies to find the right fit. Partner with dedicated experts so you can spend more time getting settled and less time handling the headaches most moves entail.
With thorough professionals at Universal Relocations handling the heavy lifting of uprooting your life, you are freed up to concentrate on rediscovering your sense of home.
