Free Moving Quotes: Everything You Need to Know

No matter how far you’re moving or how complex the relocation, cost is almost always a factor. Some prefer to DIY their move in an effort to save money. But the reality is that some moves require the help of professional moving services. This is especially true for long-distance, cross-country, or international moves — though even a move around the block can benefit from the help of expert household movers.

Fortunately, getting a free moving quote from professional companies is a great way to kickstart your comparison of costs among different movers. An instant moving quote can take a load off your shoulders when you're dealing with the stress of moving.

Now, there's no shortage of moving companies out there – you've got plenty to choose from, sometimes even in the thousands. But finding the right one that truly understands your needs can be a bit of a puzzle. No matter if you're just moving down the street or clear across the country, having a dependable moving company by your side is a must.

Read on to learn more about how a free moving quote can help streamline the moving process, plus ways to find a reputable moving company that won't break the bank.

What is a Moving Quote?

When it comes to moving to a new home or office, one of the first things that comes to mind is the cost. So many factors play into the final bill, like the size of the move, the distance, and the services needed. That's why it's important to get a moving quote before making any decisions.

But what is a moving quote? A moving quote is an estimate provided by a moving company that gives you an idea of how much your move will cost. It takes into account various factors like the number of rooms in your home, the weight and volume of your belongings, and the distance of the move.

Getting a moving quote is essential because it helps you plan your budget and choose the right moving company for your needs. With the right information, you can compare quotes from different moving companies and make an informed decision.

Instant Ballpark Quotes vs. Moving Quotes

Typically, moving companies offer two types of moving quotes: instant ballpark quotes and detailed estimates. These quotes are usually based on similar factors, like the size of your home and the distance you’re moving, but detailed estimates require more specific information.

Take a closer look at each.

An instant ballpark quote is a rough estimate based on the limited information provided to a moving company. The instant ballpark quote serves as a starting point in gauging your moving costs and may not be the actual price you will pay. For instance, your instant quote may be based on the number of rooms in your home or the total distance of your move. As a result, it may not take oversized items, fragile belongings, or extra moving services into consideration.
A moving quote or estimate is more involved. You will likely be required to provide more information to the moving company. The mover will look at the items in your home that require moving and provide an estimate as to the official moving quote. This quote may also include additional services required, like packing and unpacking, or storage solutions.

Providing truthful moving quotes is paramount to setting realistic expectations. However, it’s important to remember that a mover will not be able to provide an accurate quote until they have all the crucial information needed to make the estimates.

How Free Moving Quotes Help Simplify Your Move

Getting a free online moving quote can take a lot of the guesswork out of your move. It’s easy to underestimate expenses; how pricey can packing materials be, after all? However, even a DIY move can add up — and demand a substantial amount of time and energy on your behalf.

Before you commit to bribing friends and family members with pizza, you may consider getting an online moving estimate from a reputable long-distance moving company. Doing so will allow you to budget and plan more effectively. It may also enable you to enjoy add-on moving services, such as done-for-you loading and unloading.

What’s more, an estimate will give you a better idea of how much money you have left in your budget for expenses like gas for shorter trips, airline tickets for longer moves, hotels, food, and visas, passports, and other documentation for an international relocation.

How to Use a Moving Calculator to Get An Online Moving Quote

Many professional moving companies offer near-instant online moving estimates using a short- or long-distance moving calculator. The information requested may vary. But when you request an instant estimate from Allied Van Lines, for example, you’ll need to provide the following information:

Your current location
Your destination
Your home size (i.e., a 1-, 2-, or 3+-bedroom apartment or a 1-, 2-, 3, or 4+-bedroom home)
Your name and contact information

You can also note whether you need to move your vehicle or plan to drive yourself. Once you hit submit, you’ll receive a ballpark quote for your move. You can request a more detailed estimate by reaching out to a local Allied Van Lines agent.

Sound interesting? Get a free moving quote now to get started.

How Are Moving Quotes Calculated?

The actual moving cost to move depends on several factors, with weight and distance playing a significant role. When moving long-distance, the costs will depend on your shipment's weight and the actual distance to the destination. In such cases, a moving inventory will get a rough idea of the cost depending on the weight and distance.

If you are moving a short distance, time will be a crucial factor in estimating the cost. Most local movers charge hourly by tallying up the time between the origin and final destination, including the time to load and unload your belongings. A time fee and any requested extra services will be added to the final price.

The formula for calculating the cost of your move will be:

(hourly rate) x (number of movers) x (number of hours to complete the move) + travel fee + charges for additional services. Hourly rates typically vary between $25 and $85 per hour per mover, depending on your location and the time of year you move.

That said, there are several additional factors that come into play. Take a closer look.

Factors Influencing Moving Costs

Here are a few variables that could influence the total cost of your move:

Distance: The distance of your move between the old and new home influences the final cost. Expect higher costs if you are moving a long distance to your new destination. In the United States, the average cost of a local move is $1,250, while a long-distance move of over 11,000 miles will cost $4,890. These estimates are based on a three-bedroom move of up to 7,500 pounds.

Size of your home:The size of your home can affect your moving costs. A minimalist living in a studio department will have fewer belongings than someone living in a fully-furnished four-bedroom home. Hence, bigger size will demand higher costs to move the home since quotes are based on the weight and volume of your belongings.
Total weight of your belongings: The weight of your belongings also determines the quotes and prices. Cargo weight is a vital factor in influencing the cost. If you have more things to move, you will pay more in expenses because it requires a bigger truck. Heavier items will also take longer to load and unload.

Labor time: Labor time influences the moving quotes and cost of your move. The longer a mover stays loading or unloading your belongings, the more it will cost.

The fragility of your items: Fragile and delicate items may demand a higher price because they need special care. Items such as artwork, musical instruments, and decorative fixtures are prone to damage and demand extra care.

The date of your move: Different times of the year can determine the cost of moving your belongings. For example, moving during a hurricane or tornado season can demand a higher cost due to the circumstances surrounding the process. Ask the moving company when to move based on the cost.

Seasonality: Summer seasons will have higher quotes and prices because of the ideal temperatures compared to the winter season. Most people choose to move during the summer, with the high demand causing a hike in the moving prices. If you move your belongings in the off-peak season, you might pay a slightly lower price than when you move during summer.

Additional Moving Services That Can Affect Your Quote

Alongside the key cost drivers discussed above, many moving companies — including Allied Van Lines — offer add-on moving services that may impact your total costs. These vary from location to location and can often be tailored to suit your needs.

For example, when you work with Allied, you may choose between additional moving services like:

Packing and loading services: Our experienced local, long-distance, and cross-country movers can handle all the heavy lifting. We’ll ensure your belongings are packed securely, loaded carefully, and transported to your destination. We can even help unpack after arriving at your new home.
In-transit, short-, or long-term storage: Depending on your needs, Allied can offer secure storing solutions to lighten the load and make relocating easier.

Extra Care Protection (ECP): Our optional ECP add-on provides flexible valuation coverage for all your belongings. Simply choose the amount you’d like to cover. If something goes wrong during transit, we’ll process your claim quickly to ensure your satisfaction.

From Free Moving Quote to Move: What to Expect During Your Relocation

The moving process can feel complex, especially if you’re relocating your entire family over long distances. Fortunately, our experienced packers and movers at Allied can help. Here’s a high-level look at what you can expect from submitting your free quote request to planning and completing your move.

Request a quote online.Enter your moving dates, origin and destination zip code, type of home, and contact information. Remember: This will yield a rough, ballpark estimate. You can get a detailed estimate by scheduling a survey from a local Allied agent.

Schedule your survey. Work with a local agent to confirm the details and discuss the survey schedule. A customer service representative will contact you to confirm your details and work to schedule your move.

Survey your belongings. In most cases, an estimator will come to your home and survey your items to help you build a services plan, though some surveys may be completed virtually. The estimator will walk through your home to determine the approximate weight of your items and belongings. They will confirm your items to make sure you are up to date on everything scheduled to happen.

Plan your move. After deciding to move forward with the company, your dedicated Allied Van Lines relocation team will work with you to plan and schedule your move.

Let our team get to work. Moving day will begin with a meeting with your crew lead, who will ensure the packing team follows an efficient moving plan. From there, your team will work to pack your items using special techniques to keep them safe, build custom crating when needed, and carefully load everything into a truck for transit.

What to Look For In a Mover

One of the crucial decisions in planning to move houses is to choose a moving company with a respectable reputation. Start by researching their credentials and reputation to ensure they fit your profile for a moving company. For example, if you are looking for long-distance moving company quotes, the company should have federal authorization and approval from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to move across different states.

At the same time, consider the user's experience in the moving industry before settling on one company. A mover should have experience offering quality services to customers. They should be in a position to offer an estimate after an inspection of your belongings. Choose a company that charges based on the shipment weight. Companies that charge only based on the volume of your cargo may not be legit.

Gather quotes from different moving companies to make the comparison, including a few in-home estimates. Get at least three different quotes for a better idea about the varying fees of moving companies. This can help you compare moving services thoroughly before formalizing an agreement with a moving company.

Get Your Free Moving Quote from Allied Van Lines

At Allied Van Lines, we make moving easy with free moving quotes online, detailed estimates with no up-front contracts, and done-for-you services. If you are ready to get a quote from the best moving companies, contact Allied Van Lines and provide your details and contact information. We have nearly 100 years of experience successfully completing local, long-distance, and international moves and look forward to exceeding your expectations during yours.