What to Consider When Hiring a Haulage Contractor

When it comes to choosing a haulage partner to assist you with an important project, you should take care to ensure that the company you hire is well placed to deliver your requirements. Taking out a little time to research any companies you are considering before you commit can save you a great deal of hassle and stress in the long run.

Before choosing a haulage partner there are several factors that you should consider. These include:

Haulage Capability 

Firstly, you should consider the size and weight of the loads you need to be transported. Research several haulage companies online and learn more about each contractor’s fleet and load capacities.

Depending on the size and weight of the cargo you need to transport, you may find that some of the companies on your list don’t have enough haulage capacity to meet your requirements. Bear in mind that once you’ve narrowed it down to the companies with sufficient haulage capability, there are still several other factors to consider.

Transparency 

Once you get in contact with a haulage contractor, pay attention to how transparent they are where costs, logistics and timescales are concerned. If their responses to important questions are vague and evasive, this can be an indicator that they are unlikely to deliver in line with your expectations. 

A trustworthy haulage contractor should provide you with a realistic quotation for the required work. If they are unable or unwilling to do this, look elsewhere. 

Experience 

You should also pay attention to the credentials and experience of the drivers – and any other operatives working for the company. Take a little time to learn about the clients they have served and their past projects.

Many leading haulage contractors will post case studies on their websites. These contain detailed accounts of how their teams approached and resolved logistical challenges on behalf of their clients. Good case studies will demonstrate teams’ problem-solving skills and ability to find intelligent solutions. 

Reputation

Most businesses will give a positive account of themselves on their own websites, but you can gain a much clearer view of how well they get the job done by reading genuine client feedback. Pay attention to reviews on their Google My Business page. Remember that legitimate reviews carry far more weight than any marketing words.

Attention to Detail

Finally, once you’ve hired a haulage contractor, take note of how they handle the little details. If the company takes steps such as meeting you on-site prior to the journey, carefully planning the route, arranging permits and sending pilot cars to assist their hauliers, you’ll know that this is a company you can trust with your future haulage requirements.

However, if their planning falls short and they encounter too many preventable issues, you would be wise to look elsewhere when you next need a haulage contractor!

Good Luck and Thank You for Reading

We hope you found our article useful and now have a clearer understanding of what to consider before hiring a haulage contractor. No matter which company you decide is right for your next project, we wish you the best of luck for the future.