What you should know for large item delivery

Posted on October 08, 2021

These days many people are all used to handle various deliveries from online shops. The vast majority of those orders are for small parcels. So, consumers usually aren’t completely ready for the specifics of large item delivery.

Handling and transporting large and heavy items has its fair share of specifics and that can be intimidating for people. In reality, all you need is to take a few extra steps in preparation. Here is what you need to know for a successful large item delivery.

Find professionals

Transporting large and/or heavy items is a very specific task. This is why you should always look for companies which specialize in this area. As a result, many regular couriers might not be the ones you need, as they will not be equipped to handle the specifics. Or if they do, they might charge more than their usual rate, as it will require special treatment.

On the other hand, if you opt for a company which specializes in large item deliveries, you will get a lower average rate. And the couriers will have bigger vehicles and equipment to handle the large items, along with the experience to do so safely.

It’s also important to note that each delivery of a large item can be very different, so couriers have to be flexible. Also make sure to see the areas the service covers for transportation.

While you communicate with the company representatives, they will ask you specifics about the size and weight of the shipment and additional requirements for pickup and delivery times and so on. You should also use this time to ask about anything you deem relative to the task. For example insurance costs, packaging requirements and so on. Some couriers can provide packing materials, while others will require the customer to take care of that.

Proper packaging

Speaking of packing materials, this is a whole other process. It is a very important one and it’s vital to ensure that your items will arrive in good condition.

Start by cleaning and inspecting the item that will be shipped. Note any damages, remove parts like shelves or other things that can break off during transportation.

You can also take measurements of the item, which will be important for the couriers to know what vehicle to bring. Depending on the type of item, it may be a smart idea to put it in a crate or big box for even safer transporting.

For large and heavy items it’s very useful to also use a pallet. It will make maneuvering of the goods much easier and it’s also a way to secure them in place by strapping them down to the pallet. Also, depending on the item and location, additional equipment like a small trolley and straps could be practical to load up and unload the item from the van or lorry.

And that’s about it. As you can see, there’s not much to it, but there are some small specifics that can make a big difference. Once you take them into account, any large item delivery will be a much smoother process.