How to Ship Building Materials: A Guide to Safe, Efficient Delivery

Whether you’re renovating a room, building a deck, or constructing a whole house, ensuring that all construction materials arrive on time and in good condition is critical to keeping the project on schedule. From steel beams and plumbing supplies to flooring and paint, each material requires careful handling and the right shipping strategy. Let’s walk through a real-world example of a general contractor who successfully navigated the shipping process while saving time and money using Freightquote.

Construction shipping done right: A builder’s success story

Recently, a general contractor was managing a new residential build. They needed steel pipes, lumber, siding, flooring, and paint delivered to the job site, all in a timely manner.

The contractor knew that shipping construction materials comes with challenges—heavy, oversized loads, fragile finishes, and delivery to a residential location with limited access. But with the right approach, and help from Freightquote’s online quoting tool, they ensured all the necessary materials arrived without delay or surprise fees. Here’s how they did it:

Choosing the right packaging:

• Instead of shrink-wrapping heavy materials like bricks (which can shift during transport), they were secured with strong pallet straps prior to shipping.
• Lumber and steel beams were properly banded together.
• Flooring was packed in sturdy boxes with corrugated cardboard on top for added protection.
• Paint was shipped in leak-proof containers with proper hazmat labeling.

Selecting the right carrier and services:

• Since the job site was a residential location with no loading dock, the contractor made sure to select "residential delivery" and "liftgate service" in their quote.
• They ensured a forklift would be available for unloading heavy materials like steel beams.
• They provided an accurate cell phone number for the delivery contact to avoid re-delivery fees.

Accurate quoting and avoiding extra fees:

• Measuring and weighing each shipment precisely helped avoid unexpected reclassification charges.
• Choosing services upfront in Freightquote’s tool avoided costly surprise charges after delivery.
• Scheduling delivery appointments when needed kept the project running smoothly.

Construction shipping tips

To help you ship your construction and building materials without issues, keep these key tips in mind:

• Use proper packaging: Secure materials with straps, banding, and cushioning. Heavy materials should never be shrink-wrapped to a pallet alone.
• Plan for special equipment: Consider whether your shipment will require forklifts, cranes, or extra manpower to load/unload.
• Know your pickup and delivery locations: If you’re shipping to a limited-access area like a residential site, be sure to choose the appropriate options in your quote.
• Provide accurate contact information: The person receiving the freight should be reachable for smooth delivery.
• Measure and weigh precisely: Incorrect measurements can result in higher fees and delivery delays.

Requirements for shipping construction materials

From flooring to paint to heavy machinery, different types of construction materials all have their own specific considerations when shipping. But if you’re looking for an easy way to break it all down, we have you covered:

Freightquote makes construction shipping easy

No matter what type of construction materials you’re shipping, Freightquote’s online tool helps you book the right carrier with confidence. We offer less-than-truckload shipping (LTL) including LTL hazmat, full truckload (FTL) and flatbed, and small parcel services, so there’s an option to fit any size shipment. And you can save on already competitive prices with Freightquote Rewards, a loyalty program that lets you earn savings on qualifying LTL and FTL shipments.

If you need help booking your construction shipment, our experts are available Monday-Friday, 7 AM-6 PM CST to assist. Start your quote today and ensure your construction materials arrive safely and on time.