What is covered by "moving expenses?" (relocation, packing, movers)

[dpgtfc]

I'm sure it varies slightly from company to company, but say generally? I'm fairly certain that it is a compensation, you pay, the reimberse, though some places probably just give you an allowance. That I'm not too worried about the details.

What I am wondering though is what is considered moving expenses? Movers, truck rental, etc right? What about deposits on apartments? Hotels rented on the 27+ hour drive? Gas? (car and/or truck)

What about if we use parents to help us move. We have two vechicles and if we rent a truck or have them drive a truck and then send them home on a one way flight? Can we count the flight costs as moving expenses?

Also, would it be ethical to have my parents bill us as movers and then use their own money to buy the plane tickets, rent hotel rooms, etc, in case those aren't covered?

[mawipafl]

I'll answer what I know within your quote based on my experience ...

Originally Posted by dpgtfc

I'm sure it varies slightly from company to company, but say generally? I'm fairly certain that it is a compensation, you pay, the reimberse, though some places probably just give you an allowance. That I'm not too worried about the details.

What I am wondering though is what is considered moving expenses? Movers, truck rental, etc right? YES
Also, packing supplies such as boxes and tape; tolls paid along the way.
What about deposits on apartments? NO
Hotels rented on the 27+ hour drive? YES
Gas? (car and/or truck) YES
Meals and travel foods - No I don't think.

What about if we use parents to help us move. We have two vechicles and if we rent a truck or have them drive a truck and then send them home on a one way flight? Can we count the flight costs as moving expenses? I don't know about this, but I know you can consider the mileage on your personal vehicle(s) as a moving expense.

Also, would it be ethical to have my parents bill us as movers and then use their own money to buy the plane tickets, rent hotel rooms, etc, in case those aren't covered? No, I don't believe you can.

Just remember to get and keep all receipts for absolutely everything.

[texdav]

Call and ask;that the only way to get your answers.

[Scott Luther]

Originally Posted by dpgtfc

I'm sure it varies slightly from company to company, but say generally? I'm fairly certain that it is a compensation, you pay, the reimberse, though some places probably just give you an allowance. That I'm not too worried about the details.

What I am wondering though is what is considered moving expenses? Movers, truck rental, etc right? What about deposits on apartments? Hotels rented on the 27+ hour drive? Gas? (car and/or truck)

What about if we use parents to help us move. We have two vechicles and if we rent a truck or have them drive a truck and then send them home on a one way flight? Can we count the flight costs as moving expenses?

Also, would it be ethical to have my parents bill us as movers and then use their own money to buy the plane tickets, rent hotel rooms, etc, in case those aren't covered?

Just to preface my remarks here, I am a corporate relocation consultant. This is exactly what I do with corporations. I help them write and implement policy if needed as well as provide relocation services nationwide. I know a little about this.

There are so many questions here....let me tell you what I know about it. It depends on the company. Each company has a relocation policy and you should be able to ask someone in HR or recruitment to provide that policy. It should answer all your questions.

If they are just giving you a lump sum to move, that is exactly what you get. They give you a sum of money and however you get there is up to you. If what you are asking is what they will reimburse you for, again it should be in their relo policy. Most companies will reimburse you for house-hunting trips (at least one anyway) for you and your spouse. They will pay for your traveling expenses like hotels, partial per-diem for food (you have to eat anyway so you don't get 100%), fuel, truck rental, moving labor. In my opinion it would not be ethical to send them a bill for your parents moving you because they are not professional movers. The one way plane tickets back for them would not be covered either.

Take it for what its worth.

[mawipafl]

Generally speaking, but definitely not always, a company's definition of moving expenses follows what the IRS defines as moving expenses. Certainly, as others have suggested, call your relocation rep in your company to ask specifics.

I'll answer what I know within your quote based on my experience ...


Quote:
Originally Posted by dpgtfc
I'm sure it varies slightly from company to company, but say generally? I'm fairly certain that it is a compensation, you pay, the reimberse, though some places probably just give you an allowance. That I'm not too worried about the details.

What I am wondering though is what is considered moving expenses? Movers, truck rental, etc right? YES
Also, packing supplies such as boxes and tape; tolls paid along the way.
What about deposits on apartments? NO
Hotels rented on the 27+ hour drive? YES
Gas? (car and/or truck) YES
Meals and travel foods - No I don't think.

What about if we use parents to help us move. We have two vechicles and if we rent a truck or have them drive a truck and then send them home on a one way flight? Can we count the flight costs as moving expenses? I don't know about this, but I know you can consider the mileage on your personal vehicle(s) as a moving expense.

Also, would it be ethical to have my parents bill us as movers and then use their own money to buy the plane tickets, rent hotel rooms, etc, in case those aren't covered? No, I don't believe you can.

Just remember to get and keep all receipts for absolutely everything.

[dpgtfc]

My wife is currently in negotiations and is getting a detailed list of what is covered and not. It looks like they might 'ok' our expenses in flying my parents back. We will find out soon, but I wanted to thank everybody for the input!