Now that the weather has warmed up, Covid vaccinations are easily accessible, and the real estate market is red hot, people are beginning to move again. Many of our clients are moving to other states, leading to increasing opportunities to share move jobs with other NASMM members.

Job-sharing presents a wonderful opportunity to help our clients. You might be the move manager helping your client find the right assistance at their destination. You might be the move manager helping to unpack/setup the client once they arrive. With solid preparation and ongoing communication, these relationships can (and should) work out really well.

NASMM outlines the best practices for job sharing in the "MyNASMM" section of education and mentoring. https://www.nasmm.org/mynasmm/education-and-mentor/job-sharing/

The traditional method of job sharing is when one move manager reaches out to another move manager to work together. Both move managers hold their own contracts with the client, and is responsible for their own billing.

In these situations, best practices dictate both parties involved in the job-share need a contract or service agreement with the client. This agreement is critical. It outlines your commitment to the client, your billing process, and your liability.

Some move management companies, either through their own practice or as a result of agreements with companies, may wish to retain control over the entire project — including submitting one bill to the client. In these cases, the role of the partnering move manager is a subcontracting relationship.

It is equally important in these circumstances for the partnering move managers to have an agreement with each other. This agreement defines the scope of work, the liability of each party, and the compensation. In this case, the contract is with the other move management company rather than the client. You are essentially working for the move management company.

Do some move managers gladly accept a job unpacking a client and think a contract is not necessary? Of course, but so much can happen. You might drop a very expensive vase — something you would not have packed as it is over your liability limit. Or the agreement was to unpack 50 boxes and you discover the job is much more. Or one of your staff is injured on the job. The list goes on.

The contract between the two move management companies is the agreement of what you are willing to do for the client. It outlines your liability, and sets the parameters on how and when you get paid by the other company.

Remember: As you talk to your NASMM colleagues, each of us has our own standards of practice. Please make certain you clarify all the terms and conditions before you accept the job and begin to work. Job shares can be done successfully but they require extra communication and sensitivity to others' standards of practice. The good news is you may learn some new techniques to incorporate into your own practice!