Top tips when moving home for work in Staffordshire

You've accepted the job, negotiated the salary and you're looking forward to the next chapter. Then comes the realisation that your new workplace is a long way from home and you are going to have to move house as well.

Relocating for work can be exciting, but it can also put you under pressure. You may have a fixed employment start date to work towards, a house to sell, somewhere new to find and an entire household to organise. If you are moving with a partner or children, there are even more decisions to make.

With some forward planning and the right support, moving home for a new job can be much more manageable. The good news is that if you’re moving home to or from Staffordshire, Cheshire or further afield, Goodwins Removals & Storage are here to help! 

Find out what your employer will cover

Before making arrangements for your job relocation, find out whether your employer offers a relocation package or any financial assistance with moving costs.

Depending on the company and the role, support might include a contribution towards professional removals, temporary accommodation, travel expenses or other costs associated with relocating for work.

It is worth asking some specific questions rather than simply finding out whether a relocation package exists. For example:

• Is there a relocation allowance?

• Will the company contribute towards removals or storage?

• Can temporary accommodation be provided?

• Are travel expenses covered while you look for somewhere to live?

• Do you need to use particular suppliers?

• Is there a deadline for submitting expenses?

Knowing exactly what support is available will help you work out your budget and avoid paying for something yourself when your employer may be prepared to contribute.

Research your new area

If you are moving somewhere you do not know well, take some time to research the area before choosing your new home.

Your commute is likely to be one of the biggest considerations, but it should not be the only one. Look at transport links and typical journey times at the times you will actually be travelling. A property that appears close to your new workplace might involve a surprisingly difficult commute during peak hours.

You should also consider schools, shops, healthcare, leisure facilities and other amenities, particularly if you are moving with your family.

If you have the opportunity, spend some time in the area before moving. Getting a feel for different neighbourhoods can help you make a decision based on more than what you see on a property listing.

Create a realistic moving timeline

One of the biggest differences between a conventional house move and moving for work is that your new job may give you a very definite deadline.

You might have several months to organise everything, but you could just as easily be expected to start your new role within a few weeks. That makes it important to work backwards from your employment start date.

Consider when you need to:

• Find and secure your new home

• Put your current property on the market if necessary

• Arrange your mortgage or tenancy

• Complete any legal work

• Book your removals company

• Arrange packing

• Organise temporary accommodation if required

• Arrange storage if your dates do not line up

Try not to assume that every part of the move will happen in the order you would ideally like. Property sales can be delayed, completion dates can change and your new home may not be ready when your employer wants you to start.

Having a flexible plan will make it much easier to deal with unexpected changes.

Declutter before you move

Moving house gives you an excellent opportunity to decide what you actually need.

If you have lived in your current home for several years, you may have accumulated plenty of belongings that you no longer use. Taking unwanted items to your new home means more packing, more boxes and potentially a larger removal.

Before you move, consider whether things can be sold, donated, recycled or disposed of. You do not need to make every decision immediately, particularly if your job relocation is happening quickly, but removing obvious clutter can make the whole process easier.

There may also be belongings that you are unsure about. If you do not have time to decide before the move, storage can give you some breathing space rather than forcing you to make a rushed decision.

• Read our post about the value of decluttering ahead of a house move.

Arrange professional removals

When your move is linked to a new job, there is already plenty competing for your attention. You may be handing over responsibilities at your existing workplace while preparing to start somewhere new, all while dealing with the practicalities of moving house.

Professional removals can take much of the physical work off your hands.

A removals company can help with transporting your belongings safely and efficiently, while additional services such as professional packing can be particularly useful when time is limited.

This can be especially valuable if you are moving a significant distance or need your move to happen on a particular date. Booking early also gives you more choice over your preferred moving date.

For people moving to or from Staffordshire or Cheshire, Goodwins Removals & Storage provides professional removals services across the region, including house removals in Stafford. Choosing an experienced removals company can help take some of the pressure out of a move that is already being driven by a fixed work deadline.

Consider storage if your dates do not line up

Your house sale, new home and employment start date will not always fit together neatly.

Perhaps your new job starts before you can move into your new home. Maybe you have completed your sale but have not yet found the right property. You could even need to move into temporary accommodation while you look for somewhere more permanent.

This is where removals storage can make a significant difference.

Instead of delaying your new job or rushing into a property simply because you need somewhere to put your belongings, you can place your furniture and other possessions into secure storage until you are ready for them.

For example, your new employer might need you to start in three weeks, while your house sale is taking longer than expected. You could move into temporary accommodation, put your belongings into storage and arrange the final move once your new home is ready.

Storage can also be useful if you are moving into a smaller property initially, need to clear a property before completion or simply want some flexibility around your moving dates.

Having access to both removals and storage can make a complicated job relocation much easier to manage.

Do not forget the rest of the household

If you are moving for work with a partner or children, your new job is only one part of the decision.

A move may mean changing schools, arranging new childcare or considering how the relocation will affect your partner's own work and commute. If you have pets, you will also need to think about transporting them and helping them settle into their new surroundings.

It can be helpful to involve everyone in the planning process. Moving to a new area can be a big adjustment, particularly for children, so giving them some opportunity to understand what is happening can make the transition easier.

• Read our blog post about moving home with children.

Prepare for your first few weeks

It is easy to focus entirely on moving day and forget that you will be starting a new job at roughly the same time.

Make sure you have easy access to the things you will need immediately. Pack an essentials box containing toiletries, chargers, important documents, medication, basic kitchen equipment and a few changes of clothes. Keep work clothes and anything you need for your first few days somewhere accessible.

• Read this helpful post about what goes into an essentials box for moving home.

If your belongings are going into storage temporarily, make sure anything you will need during that period stays with you.

You should also give yourself some time to settle into your new area. Finding the nearest supermarket is not particularly exciting, but knowing where to go when you need something can make those first few weeks considerably easier.

Make your work relocation easier

Moving for a new job can be a major undertaking, but it does not have to become overwhelming. Understanding your relocation package, planning around your employment start date and arranging professional removals early can all make the process more straightforward.

Most importantly, remember that the move does not necessarily have to happen all at once. If your property and employment dates do not line up, temporary accommodation and storage can give you the flexibility to move at a pace that works for you.

Whether you are moving within Staffordshire, relocating to Cheshire or heading further afield, Goodwins Removals & Storage can help with the practical side of your move. With professional removals and storage options available, you can concentrate on settling into your new home and getting ready for the next stage of your career.