Employee Relocation Checklist: A Complete Timeline for Moving for a New Job

Relocating for a new job involves dozens of moving parts spread across months of preparation. The employees who navigate this process most smoothly are the ones who treat it as a project—with phases, milestones, and a system for tracking what needs to get done when.

This checklist is designed to walk you through every step, organized by timeline. Use it as a living document: check off items as you complete them, add notes where relevant, and refer back to it throughout your move.

Phase 1: Offer Acceptance and Package Review

Timeline: As soon as you receive the offer

Relocation Package

• [ ] Request the full relocation policy document (not just the offer letter summary)
• [ ] Identify whether you have a lump sum or managed reimbursement structure
• [ ] Confirm what expenses are covered and what the spending caps are
• [ ] Verify whether a tax gross-up is included
• [ ] Note all submission deadlines for expense reimbursement
• [ ] Understand the clawback/repayment clause and the required tenure period
• [ ] Ask about temporary housing: is it provided, or must you arrange it?
• [ ] Confirm whether a house-hunting trip is included
• [ ] Ask about spousal/partner career transition support if applicable
• [ ] Ask about school search assistance if you have children

Negotiation

• [ ] Get moving quotes from 2–3 professional movers (including LuxeMove—see our services)
• [ ] Calculate total estimated relocation costs (move + housing gap + real estate + travel)
• [ ] Compare estimated costs to offered package value
• [ ] If gap exists, prepare a professional negotiation request with real numbers
• [ ] Confirm final package terms in writing before signing

Phase 2: Pre-Move Preparation (8–12 Weeks Out)

Timeline: Approximately 2–3 months before your start date

Employment and Administrative

• [ ] Confirm your official start date with your new employer
• [ ] Submit resignation to your current employer with appropriate notice
• [ ] Review your current employment contract for non-compete, non-solicitation, or other clauses relevant to the move
• [ ] Confirm any benefit portability (401k, unvested equity, pension)
• [ ] Request letters of employment verification or reference letters before your last day

Housing Research

• [ ] Research neighborhoods near your new workplace that fit your commute tolerance and budget
• [ ] Schedule your house-hunting trip through your relocation coordinator (or book independently if self-managing)
• [ ] If buying, get pre-approved for a mortgage in the new state
• [ ] If renting, research application requirements in the new city (LA landlords often require first/last/security deposit)
• [ ] Contact a relocation real estate agent if provided by your package

Mover Selection

• [ ] Research and request quotes from 2–3 reputable full-service movers
• [ ] Confirm the mover's licensing (USDOT number for interstate moves)
• [ ] Review the quote carefully: is it binding or non-binding?
• [ ] Confirm what the mover does and doesn't cover (valuation, packing materials)
• [ ] Tentatively reserve your move date
• [ ] Confirm the mover's process for handling high-value items (art, antiques, wine)

Home Sale (If You Own)

• [ ] Interview 2–3 local real estate agents about listing your home
• [ ] Understand your estimated net proceeds after commissions and closing costs
• [ ] Check whether your relocation package includes any home sale assistance (BVO, GBO, or closing cost reimbursement)
• [ ] Decide timing: list before or after accepting the offer?
• [ ] Begin decluttering and staging preparations

Current Lease (If You Rent)

• [ ] Review your lease for early termination clauses and penalties
• [ ] Check whether your relocation package covers lease-break fees
• [ ] Notify your landlord of your intent to vacate (observe required notice period)
• [ ] Request return of your security deposit—confirm the timeline

Phase 3: 30–60 Days Before Your Move

Packing and Decluttering

• [ ] Donate, sell, or discard items you won't take to the new home
• [ ] Research donation pick-up services or estate sale companies for larger items
• [ ] Begin packing non-essential items: books, décor, out-of-season clothing, garage
• [ ] Obtain packing materials (your mover may supply these if included in service)
• [ ] Label boxes clearly by room and contents
• [ ] Pack a separate "essentials" bag: 3–5 days of clothing, toiletries, medications, important documents, chargers

Notifications and Address Changes

• [ ] USPS mail forwarding (usps.com—set to start on your move-out date)
• [ ] IRS (update address at irs.gov or via your next tax return)
• [ ] Social Security Administration
• [ ] Employer (HR department for payroll records)
• [ ] Banks and credit card companies
• [ ] Investment and retirement accounts
• [ ] Insurance providers (health, auto, home/renters)
• [ ] Voter registration
• [ ] Subscriptions: Amazon, streaming services, newspapers, magazines
• [ ] Professional licenses or certifications
• [ ] Alumni associations
• [ ] Doctor, dentist, and other healthcare providers

Records and Documents

• [ ] Request medical records from doctors, dentists, specialists
• [ ] Transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy at the destination (or use a national chain)
• [ ] Request school records for children
• [ ] Collect pet vaccination records and health certificates (required for some out-of-state moves)
• [ ] Gather and organize important documents: passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards, insurance policies, home purchase/rental documents

Utilities

• [ ] Schedule disconnection at current address (plan for day of or day after final move-out)
• [ ] Set up utilities at new address: electric, gas, water, internet, trash
• [ ] Transfer or cancel: TV/cable, security system, landscaping and cleaning services

Phase 4: 1–2 Weeks Before Moving Day

Final Preparations

• [ ] Confirm move date, arrival time, and crew details with your movers
• [ ] Walk through the home to identify any special handling instructions
• [ ] Confirm access at both origin and destination (parking permits, elevator reservations, HOA notification)
• [ ] Defrost the refrigerator and freezer 24–48 hours before move-out
• [ ] Disassemble furniture as needed or confirm movers will handle it
• [ ] Back up digital files and photos
• [ ] Keep valuables (jewelry, important documents, cash) separate to transport yourself—not on the truck

Children and Pets

• [ ] Arrange childcare on moving day if possible (moving day with young children underfoot is exhausting)
• [ ] Arrange pet care or boarding on moving day
• [ ] Confirm school enrollment at the destination if applicable
• [ ] Update children's medical and dental provider information

Phase 5: Moving Day

• [ ] Be present when movers arrive
• [ ] Walk the crew through the home and identify any fragile or special-handling items
• [ ] Confirm the inventory list (most professional movers create one)
• [ ] Check that all rooms, closets, cabinets, and outdoor spaces are cleared before the truck leaves
• [ ] Do a final walkthrough of the home yourself
• [ ] Photograph every room before departing
• [ ] Gather all keys, remotes, access items, and manuals to leave for the new owner or next tenant
• [ ] Leave the home in broom-clean condition
• [ ] Confirm delivery date and contact information with your move coordinator

Phase 6: Arrival and First 30 Days

Day One

• [ ] Do a walkthrough at your new home before the truck is unloaded
• [ ] Place floor protection before movers bring in boxes and furniture
• [ ] Direct movers to place furniture in planned positions (this saves re-doing it later)
• [ ] Test lights, outlets, appliances, and plumbing before crew departs
• [ ] Unpack the essentials bag immediately: your bedroom and bathroom should be functional that first night

Within 10 Days (California-Specific)

• [ ] Apply for a California driver's license (California requires this within 10 days of establishing residency)
• [ ] Notify your auto insurance of the address change
• [ ] Begin California vehicle registration process (required within 20 days)

Within 30 Days

• [ ] Submit relocation expense reimbursements per your policy's deadline
• [ ] Update voter registration for your new California address
• [ ] Find a primary care physician and transfer prescriptions
• [ ] Identify nearest urgent care, emergency room, and pharmacy
• [ ] Connect children with their new school and any extracurricular activities
• [ ] Explore your new neighborhood: grocery stores, gym, library, community spaces

Phase 7: Long-Term Settlement (30–90 Days)

• [ ] Complete vehicle registration and smog check if applicable
• [ ] File state income tax change of residence with California Franchise Tax Board if needed
• [ ] Update beneficiary designations on life insurance and retirement accounts to reflect new address/circumstances
• [ ] Plan your 30-day check-in with your employer's relocation coordinator (if applicable)
• [ ] Review your 11-month warranty walk-through date if you moved into new construction
• [ ] Schedule a 90-day review with yourself: Is the housing working? Is the commute sustainable? What needs adjustment?

Working with LuxeMove

LuxeMove handles the physical move component of employee relocations with the level of care your transition deserves. We work with individuals managing their own lump sum packages, employees referred through Relocation Management Companies, and HR teams looking for preferred vendor arrangements.

Contact us to discuss your relocation timeline and get a detailed, transparent quote that you can present to your employer or manage within your approved budget.