Household Move Quick Reference Guide

Cornell units may elect to pay for the moving of household goods for newly recruited employees. Payments for such expenses must be authorized at the unit level. However, not all newly recruited employees are guaranteed a Cornell-furnished household move. Move arrangements are at the discretion of the hiring department or business area. For information on tax implications, see Moving and Relocation on the Tax website.

The Office for Procurement and Payment Services has contracted with four suppliers for household moving services. Each arrangement is documented and designed to provide both Cornell and the new hire with certain protections.

Cornell cannot ensure resolution of any problems encountered with any moving companies other than those with whom the university has contractual agreement. If a new hire elects to use a moving company other than a Cornell preferred supplier, the new hire may not have adequate protection for damage or the leverage required to resolve any service or cost issues.

Benefits of Supplier Agreements

• Guaranteed load and delivery dates
• Guaranteed not-to-exceed pricing on interstate relocations
• Discounts up to 65% on household goods shipments
• Discounts up to 50% on storage-in-transit
• Insurance (replacement value protection) of $75,000 included in estimate

Unit Responsibilities

• Contact the local moving agent to initiate a call to the new hire
• Explain move arrangements to the new hire
• Review the Moving and Relocation on the Tax website for information on recruiting and moving expenses

New Hire Responsibilities

• Contact the hiring department administrator
• Work with the established local suppliers
• Get multiple estimates; however, this is not required as long as you select a provider from the contract supplier list
• Contact the department administrator with the selected moving company’s estimate