Alex is the founder of 9Kilo Moving, which he started to help people easily find and choose the right moving company to make their move as stress-free and seamless as possible. He has spent over 20 years working in the moving industry, so he knows every aspect of the business and uses his knowledge to write about the industry and give moving advice. More on about us page
Headquartered in the city of Oakbrook Terrace in Illinois, Allied Van Lines is a moving and storage company that has constantly stretched the barriers and adapted with time. Since its inception in 1928, the company has spread its reach way beyond the US. Today, Allied Van Lines also have a strong foothold in South America and Europe, amongst other continents. So is this 92-year moving company reliable? Read our Allied Van Lines Review to learn more about their service!
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While they are majorly known as carriers, that’s not all they are. Allied Van Lines function not only as a moving company but also as packers, moving aggregators, storage providers, and also packing and moving consultants. The company has a reputation for being one of the oldest 360 degrees moving service companies.
The company provides a host of services that are both broad and niche. You could count on them just for guidance too. Here is a list of their services.
As part of the service, Allied Van Lines offers help with loading your stuff, transportation, and unloading it all too. However, the service can be customized to a great extent. You can literally take Allied Van Lines’ help for everything else too, and combine it with this service.
Moving long distances involves a lot of large and heavy objects. This is why this particular service also includes help in packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, and transportation too. Allied Van Lines understands the importance of making sure your belongings remain safe while moving. It reflects in this service where they use their own packing supplies as well.
See also: 5 Best Long Distance Movers
A service that can be used in numerous combinations. Cross Country Moving is where Allied Van Lines can also help you as a broker, to get in touch with a moving service that suits you best. Allied Van Lines’ Cross Country Moving can include packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, transportation, piano moving, crating, uncrating, and online shipment tracking among others.
See also: Top-Rated Cross-Country Movers in the USA
Not very different from cross-country moving, Interstate Moving is also a service offering provided by Allied Van Lines. Here, they majorly act as a broker and help you get in touch with a top-class moving service in the state you are and planning to move to. You get every possible service and help you’d need, including storage too.
See also: 10 Best Interstate Moving Companies
Allied Van Lines have just as much experience in helping businesses relocate. Be it office supplies, computers, and other electronics, or tables and chairs, they can handle it all. Moreover, it will all be done in coordination with your HR team, with a single point of contact, regardless of where in the world your office is located.
Be it making a move from the US to India, Australia, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand or even our neighbor, Canada, Allied Van Lines, and their wide reach and network can help in this regard. Of course, you will also have a representative across the border to help make the international move seamless.
Allied Van Lines have a variety of options for this service. You can either choose a storage space in a rental warehouse or a more personalized temporary storage unit too. There’s also the option of renting a storage-in-transit for a maximum of 90 days. The storage services are just as secure as they are flexible.
See also: List of Trusted Moving and Storage Companies
Long-distance moving often requires large and heavy objects to be moved safely. Allied Van Lines’ Crating services exist to help with just that. In fact, as part of the service, their personnel will also help uncrate the heavy wooden boxes.
If you don’t have the time, confidence, experience, or even mental energy to handle the tedious task of packing, Allied Van Lines can help you. Their expertise especially comes in handy with the more delicate objects. In fact, a sub-branch of their service also involves fragile packing, which is dealt with carefully, to ensure the object isn’t damaged.
See also: Top 10 Movers and Packers in the U.S.
A lot of equipment is involved in handling this. People sometimes try doing it themselves with the help of skid boards, but a great deal of technique is also required to safely move the piano without any damage. This is where the expertise and experience of Allied Van Lines help.
Be it a bike, car, canoe or even a boat, Allied Van Lines extend their services to safely shipping vehicles as well. Their Vehicle Moving service also comes with an online shipment tracking system for you to be in the know-how of your prized possession’s transportation. This service usually takes 3-7 business days for the vehicle to be shipped to its location.
A service that Allied Van Lines offers domestically and internationally. Those in the US Armed Forces can use the Personally Procured Moves (PPM) offered by Allied Van Lines. The move will ensure all the documentation and legalities are also handled appropriately.
If you want to carry out a move-out cleaning or pre-moving day cleaning of your new house, that’s also a service option. Do note that Allied Van Lines acts as the aggregator and contracts a third-party service to take care of your needs.
For those who can handle packing their things themselves but don’t have a vehicle to make the move, Allied Van Lines also provides specific transportation services. They have a large fleet of vehicles across the country. Depending on the weight of your belongings and the number of boxes and stuff, they will send a truck or some other vehicle that suits the situation.
Want to do things on your own? There’s a service for that too. You can get in touch with Allied Van Lines and have them consult you on packing, loading and transporting all your belongings appropriately. On request, you will also get the right packing materials required for the task. They also provide Checklist and Moving Tips, so be sure to request the same.
Usually, a certain amount of dexterity and finesse is needed to handle furniture for a move. Especially when it involves disassembly of furniture and putting it back together. This is also a niche service offered by Allied Van Lines, where even the safe packing and transportation of the furniture is handled, beyond disassembly and reassembling it.
If you have any electronic appliances which are complicated to disconnect and even reinstall for that matter, there’s a specific service you could use just for that. Upon completing the move and unloading, the dedicated personnel reinstalls it in your new place of residence.
A service offering that comes with two options. The first option is just Basic Liability Coverage, while the second one is Full-valuation Coverage. What it means is that this service acts as insurance in case of any mishaps that might happen in the event of your belongings getting damaged.
Beyond these, Allied Van Lines also extends their services by helping remove debris during the packing and moving process. One of their key features is Shipment Tracking which is an added part of a host of their services.
Allied Van Lines is mostly prompt with their customer service. They can be reached at 1-800-470-2851. The timings are 8 am to 6 pm EST, from Monday to Friday. This is more for anyone moving within the country or from the US to Canada. You can even drop them an email at custsvc@alliedvan.com should you have any concerns. While their customer service has numerous positive points, they are some areas where their service can improve.
Allied Van Lines do have a reputation for being reliable. They have a simplified process where you don’t have to speak to multiple people. It’s all streamlined to a single representative who acts as your point of contact. That certainly enhances the customer experience to a good extent. So once you explain your needs and requirements clearly, you won’t have to experience unnecessary back and forth with that, which is surely a positive.
Although, their customer service can be a tad bit inconsistent. This especially holds true when third-party vendors and partner companies come into the picture. While their service is rated A+ by Better Business Bureau, there have been cases where customers have not had the best experience. However, it is worth noting that these concerns mostly arise when an external agent or vendor is handling the move, and not Allied Van Lines themselves.
There are several factors that dictate the cost of Allied Van Lines services. These factors include the type of service, add-ons, distance, and even whether you’re getting it directly through Allied Van Lines or a third-party partner of them. Normally, for hyperlocal short-distance moves, Allied Van Lines is not the best option. This is because the cost might not justify the service. You might be better off looking for a local company with a competitive price.
For a short-distance move, you can expect to shell out anywhere between $400-$600, if the level of service required is standard in nature. However, this would involve the basic loading, unloading, and transportation fee. Also, the weight and quantity of items to be moved will also play determining factors in setting a concrete price. For additional services such as packing fragile items or doing overall packing, there will be an additional cost incurred.
Normally, for an average distance of around 150-200 miles, the cost would be approximately $600 to $1600. This move would be for a 1-bedroom apartment. General services included in this would be loading, unloading, transportation, and tracking. Depending on the company you choose, the service may or may not include packing, unpacking, and packing supplies for the move. But this is the average price range of a small to medium size moving company.
Allied Van Lines fall in the bracket of premium services. So the cost of their services for the same scenario mentioned above might be higher. If you have a lot of things to be moved, it could very well hit the $2,000 mark. For shipping your vehicles across or using their services for disassembling and reassembly of furniture, you will certainly have to shell out a few hundred dollars more. Be sure to choose a packing and moving service that suits you best.
See also: Moving Cost Calculator
Similarly, in case of a distance of around 2,400 miles, your standard quote will be approximately $4,000 to $5,000. Although, it’s important to remember that the service comes with numerous floating elements. So depending on any additional services or the nature of your requirements, you would have to be prepared to pump in some more money. Logistics for such long-distance moves usually are carried out by third-party vendors.
At the end of the day, it all boils down to the distance, size, and weight of the objects, the number of things to be moved, and the nature of the service. If you’re moving for a long distance from the west coast to the east coast, your price could be as much as $8,000, assuming you’re moving with your family and were living in a 4-bedroom house. Also, you should know that the insurance coverage for your belongings costs about $500 for the full-valuation coverage.
When you factor in a complete service that covers packing, moving, shuttle, furniture assembly or disassembly, and appliance installation and removal, the price can very well range between $15,000 to $20,000, for moving a 4-bedroom apartment with numerous large and heavy objects involved. Don’t be alarmed though. Such an exorbitant price is only applicable when you’re moving a very long distance and are also looking to ship your motorbike/car, along with other large objects like a Piano or Treadmill.
We get that it’s difficult to understand their prices with so many variables involved. So we will try to give a breakdown of their prices on the basis of the services. Do note that all of this is tentative. The actual cost would vary depending on multiple factors.
Price Of Transportation and Moving Services:
The cost of this service would be around $650 for approximately 3,000 pounds, calculated on the basis of around 420 cubic feet, for the transportation of your stuff. As part of the moving cost, it would also include a van and 3 experts moving personnel. This isn’t as straightforward because it also relies on the number of people in the van or any other transportation vehicle.
While their average price of transportation is approximately $100 on an hourly basis, there’s a cost associated with each additional mover that gets involved in the process. So you end up paying $36 for other personnel needed, on an hourly basis. However, the weight of your belongings, the distance of the move, and the number of movers are not the only variables of cost.
Like many moving companies, Allied Van Lines also have a fee structure that varies depending on the season. The prices are usually a bit lower during the winter months. It’s because not a lot of people move during this time of the year. Another variable would be the overall volume of the belongings, to understand how to allocate space in the vehicle for that.
Price of Liability Coverage Service:
Let’s first talk about their Basic Liability Coverage. As the name suggests, this is the simpler package of insurance service for your belongings that’s offered by Allied Van Lines. If you’re looking for an affordable option, this is the one that would be suited to you. So in a situation where one of your belongings gets damaged during the move, Allied Van Lines would be paying you $60 as part of the Basic Liability Coverage service.
However, that amount is a fixed amount. It doesn’t matter how big, small, light, heavy, cheap or expensive the thing was which got damaged, the Basic Liability Coverage doesn’t account for that. This means, if you’re someone who is moving with numerous valuable pieces of furniture and other stuff, the Basic Liability Coverage will not succeed in putting your mind at ease. Although, it’s not a bad trade considering the cost is included in your moving fee. Basically, Allied Van Lines would be covering you for 180 pounds times $0.60 per pound at $108.
For those who don’t want to rest on the laurels of the basic but free service, there’s, fortunately, a better option that’s worth checking out. You can also purchase Extra Care Protection (ECP) coverage. This is the premium version. What’s important to know is that the way it functions is not the same as the Basic Liability Coverage. For about $100 worth of coverage, you get Extra Care Protection at a price of $0.80. Let us simplify this for you.
Think of it this way, the higher the weight and volume of your belongings, the higher would be the amount of coverage you would need for your stuff. Depending on the amount you pay for coverage, Allied Van Lines ensures at least $5 per pound on whatever your overall weight of the move is. For you to get the best value on your ECP insurance, you have to opt for full-valuation coverage. Only then will you be getting a decent value on any damage or loss?
One important thing to remember is that as part of ECP, Allied Van Lines won’t always just hand you cash. There are some procedures and protocols to follow. As per their policy, they might help you replace any of your belongings that were lost or damaged, or for that matter, they could also just pay for the repair of that particular object. It completely relies upon the nature of the object and what turns out to be economical for Allied Van Lines.
Also, keep in mind that eventually, the insurance can only cover the amount you have paid. If there’s something you particularly want to give extra care and attention to, inform the agents about fragile packing. While you’re at it, also get that specific item insured with ECP. Do note that you get a generous 9 months duration with Allied Van Lines to notify or claim any belongings that might have been lost, misplaced, or damaged during the move.
Once again, there are many factors to consider. The size of the storage space, the nature of the storage space, the total weight of all your goods, and the overall volume of items that are to be stored. Allied Van Lines also offer portable and mobile storage services, which follow a different pricing structure, compared to that of conventional storage space in a warehouse.
However, it’s worth noting that the least amount in the fee structure is calculated on the basis of 1,000 pounds. This means you could very well have 500 pounds worth of belongings but you will still have to pay a minimum amount that will be twice as much. In conclusion, this service might not necessarily be the most economically viable option if you don’t have a lot of things to store. Fortunately, with climate control and alarms, they are surely very secure.
You can expect to pay anywhere in the higher spectrum of 2 figures, perhaps even above $100, depending on your needs and the nature of the storage service you opt for. The service undoubtedly makes all the sense in the world for the safety it offers and the state-of-the-art surveillance systems in place. However, you’re better off checking with your agents for alternatives, in case you don’t have many goods to store.
Additional Fees To Consider:
Installation of electronics and appliances is charged separately. So in case you need their help to reinstall appliances, it could cost anywhere between $125 to $175. The reason behind not having a fixed price is due to the layer of third-party vendors involved in the transaction and service. Your price would depend on whether you’re receiving the service directly through Allied Van Lines or through one of their local partner companies.
Well, if they’re charging for re-installation, you bet they’re going to do so for helping you disconnect appliances too. Fortunately, though, the price, in this case, would be the same as the one you will be charged for installation. Additionally, any boxes you purchase from them can cost about $15 to $40. This would majorly rely on your locality, the vendor you’re working with, the size of the box you need, and most importantly, the nature of the box needed.
The way things work is, after your discussion and agreement with them, you will get a visit from their representatives. Keep in mind that there will be an initial visit before you have actually moved. This is done to help understand the inventory of the items, and then initiate the process. Depending on numerous variables, multiple representatives might be making a visit to your place. The idea is to send experts from different domains to work together.
Here’s the interesting thing though, you might have opted out of the packing service, but it doesn’t mean Allied Van Lines won’t double-check to tread on the path of safety. They would practically be performing a quality check to ensure that the packing you have done doesn’t wreak havoc on the moving process and mess with anybody’s peace of mind. Similarly, they will take care of all the packing and get their own supplies too if you’ve chosen the service.
In the process of packing and inventory, the task of labeling would also be carried out by the agents and movers at your place. The packing will be done systematically and it will be unique for different things. From bubble wraps, plastic sheets, packing peanuts, and foams to just about anything else, the representatives will use all of them in a manner suited to the object. Wherever necessary, they also add protective layers to avoid smudges and dirt.
After the packing and labeling are taken care of, the loading process begins. If there are large and heavy objects involved or even shipping of vehicles, there will also be trucks and cranes in the picture to handle the task. What could be a reassuring sight is the air ride suspension, designed to let your heart rest in peace when all your massive prized possessions are being loaded onto the vehicle that’s being prepped for the move. Once done, the vehicle is off!
Another sigh of relief would be the fact that the moving representative will also check if all the boxes and items are in place, once they have finally arrived at the drop-off location. Once the inventory is carried out, the unloading process begins. Depending on the nature of the service agreement, they will also help unpack everything and even with any possible reassembly or installations. You could also just request them and then check what the fee is.
Allied Van Lines is a premium service. If you want affordable service, there are plenty out there to choose from. However, their years of experience are a massive reason why they opt out so often across the states. For a premium service, Allied Van Lines are not extremely expensive.
With the wide range of services they offer and the streamlined process of communication and coordination, the nature of the service experience is often smooth and clear. Knowing that you can also simply opt for consultation and DIY is another area where Allied Van Lines manages to turn heads. When all things are said and done, their service definitely makes sense for medium to long-distance moves. For local-level moving, they might not be the most affordable option, but they’re still a decent one nonetheless if you want to go with a company with a significant amount of moving experience.
See also: Two Men and a Truck Review (with Pricing)
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