Free Moving Quotes: Everything You Need to Know

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.

We’ve put together a handy guide on how to snag a moving estimate. It's like your secret weapon for financial planning and finding a 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, the weight 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.

How to Calculate Moving Quotes

The actual moving cost to move depends on several factors, with weight and distance playing a significant role. When moving a 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 and charges for additional services. The hourly rates will vary between $25 and $85 per hour per mover, depending on your location and the time you move.

Factors Influencing the Moving Cost

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.

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, which is why the cost is high.

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. Therefore, if you can save client time by ensuring everything is packed and ready to go, you can reduce the estimation.

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 mover will place a higher cost on such items because they require more space to carry them safely.

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.

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 granted 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 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 to deal with the varying fees of moving companies. This can help you compare moving services thoroughly before formalizing an agreement with a moving company.

Instant Ballpark Quotes vs. Moving Quotes

Providing truthful moving quotes is paramount to get realistic expectations. However, a mover will not provide an accurate quote until they have all the crucial information needed to make the estimates. You will get both instant ballpark quotes and moving estimates depending on the amount of information provided.

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.

A moving quote or estimate is more involved as you will 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.

Start Your Online Moving Quote

There are several steps to start your online moving quote.

1. Request a quote online. On the moving company's website, enter your moving dates, origin and destination zip code, type of home, and contact information. If you provide more information to a moving company, you will get accurate moving quotes.
2. Schedule your survey. Work with the mover to confirm the details and discuss the survey schedule. The customer service representative will contact you to confirm your details and work to schedule your move.
3. Survey your belongings. An estimator will come to your home and survey your items to help you build a services plan. 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.
4. Plan your move. After deciding to move forward with the company, the mover will help you move your home to a new destination.

Bottom Line

You need to hire professional movers to help you relocate with ease by performing all the laborious work. Professional movers request a few pieces of information to start the estimate process. The information will help the mover provide a useful estimate of the price to move your belongings. After gathering information about your move, the moving company will provide a more accurate price for your move. If you are ready to get quotes from the best moving companies, contact Allied Van Lines and provide your details and contact information. We are the largest mover with over 85 years of experience to help you relocate over short or long distances.