A job move has a deadline that a house move does not: the first day of work. That deadline pushes the timeline, and it makes the details of the relocation package matter. This guide is for someone moving to Reno or Sparks for a new role, and for the people who help them plan.
Start with the offer letter
Read what the employer will provide: lump sum, reimbursement, a direct-billed mover, temporary housing or none of these. Ask who chooses the mover, whether there is a cap, and when you must submit receipts. Written terms prevent surprises.
Taxes on relocation
The IRS explains that the moving-expense deduction and exclusion are limited to members of the Armed Forces moving under orders and, from 2026, to certain intelligence community employees. That means a relocation payment from a private employer is usually reported as pay. Payroll can tell you how your benefit is treated. Read are moving expenses tax deductible for more detail, and consult a tax professional about your situation.
Build a timeline from the start date
- Eight to ten weeks out: get estimates, choose a mover and confirm your delivery window.
- Six weeks out: choose housing or a temporary place, and give notice on your current home.
- Four weeks out: start packing and arrange utilities and schooling.
- Two weeks out: confirm dates, transfer records and set up mail forwarding.
- Moving week: pack a first-night box and a work bag, and plan your drive.
Housing and the gap
A move date seldom matches the lease dates at both ends. If you arrive before the new home is ready, goods can wait in storage in transit or in short-term storage in Sparks, and you can stay in temporary housing. Vault storage starts from $40 per month, and goods ship with about 2 to 3 weeks of notice. See what is storage in transit and storage between moves.
If your employer is paying
O'Brien's works with companies on employee and corporate relocation. A free in-home estimate gives the employer a written number for the move. Ask whether your company's HR team wants a copy of the estimate, and keep the inventory and the bill of lading for your records.
Learn the area
Spend a weekend in Reno and Sparks before you decide. See cost of living in Reno, jobs and the Reno economy and the new Nevada resident checklist. USA.gov also keeps a moving checklist for the federal tasks.