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Preparing for freight and haulage
If you need to move something big or a large number of smaller items over a large distance, then a specialised company might be what you need.
Road haulage is an industry in itself, drivers work either independently or via agents and freight carriers to move loads that are too big and heavy for vans or other transport vehicles. Lorries are also widely used internally by large corporations (such as supermarkets) to transport large amounts of goods within their supply chains, often on pallets or in containers.
Your Freight Delivery
Before you get your goods hauled you should make some preparations to ensure you get yourself the best quote and protect yourself in the unlikely event that your cargo is damaged.
Check – Inspecting your delivery pre & post transit is important. It lets you discern whether or not it gets damaged during the journey.
Weights and measures – Knowing the size and weight of your shipment can help you receive the best quotes. This will help firms know what type of vehicle is required for your delivery job.
Package – Securing and wrapping your goods will help to make sure they aren’t damaged during transit; it will also help with packing transports tightly. You may want to use pallets to transport a large amount of smaller goods.
If you’re making a commercial delivery, ensure that the proper labelling and documentation goes with your delivery, this should usually be carried by the driver and signed off at the point of delivery.
Haulage and freight types
On Shiply we categorise road freight into two major types of general freight based on how much space the goods will take up on a transport.
Part Load
Exactly what it sounds like, for loads that take up less than a whole lorry/truck. Commonly known in the industry as LTL (less than truckload) shipments help transporters consolidate their journeys so that they can haul as much cargo as possible in one trip, and this allows the driver to make their trips as efficient as possible.
The main advantage of using a part load service is that it’s a great deal less expensive than chartering a lorry for a single load. The main disadvantage is that the driver may take longer to deliver the load because they pick up additional consignments along the way and may not take as direct a route as a dedicated delivery.
Full Load
For loads that will take up the space of an entire lorry, full load or truckload shipping is used to transport large amounts of goods. Full load deliveries tend to be largely standardised and packed tightly on pallets or in crates, this helps maximise the capacity of the lorry.
Full load carriers are more direct than part loads and often specialise, this dedicated service means your delivery will usually get completed quickly and efficiently. Hiring an entire lorry can be expensive; however, it is likely to be cheaper than numerous smaller deliveries to transport the same amount of cargo.
When you’re comparing different companies you’ll want to check a couple of key things:
Insurance – Anything that takes up an entire lorry is likely to be valuable, therefore it’s important to check the level of load protection given by the companies. In the case that their cover doesn’t equal the value of your load, you can ask them to increase it for a small cost.
Associations – Although there’s no obligation for a haulier to be a member of an association it does provide you with a certain peace of mind that they are a registered member of a recognised body.
Once you’ve decided what type of transport you are going to require, you need to find a suitable transport provider. Finding and comparing hauliers for your delivery is easy using Shiply.
Haulage and freight quotes
Comparing a range of hauliers can be time consuming, and getting quotes even more so. To save yourself the trouble of calling around all the different freight transporters Shiply can help you get quotes by allowing delivery companies to come to you.
List the details of your cargo on Shiply including: what items you need moving, where they are going and when you’re thinking of moving them.
Available drivers will offer quotes for delivering your items; if multiple transporters compete for your consignment then the quotes will get lower.
You can view each driver’s profile on Shiply so you will be able to compare not only on price, but on feedback from other users as well.
Completing your delivery
Depending on the level of service you have arranged with your chosen transport provider you may or may not receive help unloading at the point of delivery, or it may be dropped off for you at a specified location.
Make sure your delivery is checked over for damage, and signed off properly at the other end, and if you’re not receiving the goods yourself make sure you get a copy of the completion documents.
Once your cargo has successfully been transported we would encourage you to leave feedback for the haulier on Shiply, any positive or negative comments are welcome as it helps us build a more comprehensive service for our users.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shiply Cover My Area?
Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.
Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?
There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.
How Can I Contact Shiply Support?
Shiply Support is available from 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday. You can send an email to .
Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?
Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.
When Will I Receive A Quote?
You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.
How Many Quotes Will I Receive?
Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.
Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?
If your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.
Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?
Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.
Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?
Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.
Can I Travel With My Goods?
The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.
What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?
If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.
Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?
If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .
How Shiply Works
How Shiply Works
- 1
Request quotes from our 455,240 rated transport providers.
- 2
Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right delivery quote for you.
- 3
Sit back and relax while your item is safely delivered by your chosen transport provider.
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How Shiply Helps The Environment
By utilising spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to transport the item.
Recent Testimonials
Mark W.
"Simple and effective, will be using regularly. Good value and makes the process of moving big things around so much easier!"
Sandy B.
"In a matter of hours, I received an offer that matched my budget from a company with very good feedback. I love being able to rely on Shiply for getting the precious finds from eBay across the country for a reasonable price."
John G.
"Shiply fills the gaps between getting bulky items collected and delivered and you having to go get them yourself. Used them many times, saves me lots of time and money."
Charlotte H.
"All went very smoothly and easily and the courier whose bid I accepted were lovely, good communication, and helpful. Couldn't fault at all and would certainly use again."
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