When you’re buying commercial equipment—or anything that ships on a pallet—“standard delivery” isn’t always enough. Carriers offer a menu of extra services so your shipment arrives exactly where (and when) you need it. Below is a straight-forward guide to the six most common add-ons, when they matter, and how to decide if you should include them at checkout.
1. Inside Delivery
What it is: The driver brings the pallet across the building’s threshold—usually just inside the first ground-level doorway.
When to get it:
- No loading dock or forklift on site.
- Small teams: You don’t have staff to wrestle a 400-lb pizza oven off a pallet jack.
- Weather-sensitive gear: Electronics, refrigeration, or anything you don’t want left on the curb.
Good to know:
- Carriers stop at the first dry, secure area; they won’t unwrap, uncrate, or climb stairs unless you’ve arranged white-glove service.
- Expect an extra fee and a few more minutes on site—plan dock-to-kitchen moves with your crew ahead of time.
2. Lift Gate Service
What it is: The truck arrives with a hydraulic platform that lowers your pallet from truck bed to ground.
When to get it:
- No raised loading dock or forklift.
- Residential or tight urban streets where semi-trailers can’t back to a dock.
- Single, heavy items: Think refrigerators, ice machines, or stacked ovens that exceed 150 lb.
Good to know:
- Lift gates add weight limits—most top out around 2,000 lb. For bigger loads you’ll still need a dock or forklift.
3. Limited Access
What it is: Carriers flag locations that are tricky for large trucks—schools, churches, storage facilities, prisons, military bases, construction sites, fairs, and some downtown addresses.
When to get it:
- Security checkpoints: Military bases, gated communities.
- Restricted hours or special equipment needed (e.g., hand unloads).
- Events: Temporary sites where parking or turnaround space is limited.
Good to know:
- Carriers may subcontract to smaller straight trucks or require you to meet them at the gate.
- Fees cover added coordination time and extra personnel.
4. Notify Before Delivery (Call-Ahead)
What it is: The dispatcher or driver calls 24–48 hours in advance to confirm the drop-off window.
When to get it:
- You or your contractor must be on-site to inspect and sign.
- Gated properties where access codes change.
- Busy receiving dock: Avoid surprise arrivals that back up workflows.
Good to know:
- Not a precise appointment—typically a 2–4-hour window.
- Failing to answer can push delivery to the next route day and incur re-delivery fees.
5. Appointment for Delivery (Scheduled Time)
What it is: A specific appointment—often a 1-hour window—booked with the carrier.
When to get it:
- Install crews, electricians, or plumbers are booked for the same day.
- Downtown locations that require city permits to block a lane.
- Medical, government, or high-security buildings with limited receiving hours.
Good to know:
- Appointments add predictability but can extend transit by a day or two while the carrier syncs schedules.
- Missed appointments = hefty fees—verify contact info.
6. Residential Delivery
What it is: Anything shipping to a private home, apartment complex, or farm—regardless of whether the property is zoned commercial.
When to get it:
- Home-based businesses and food trucks garaged at home.
- Mixed-use spaces (retail downstairs, apartment upstairs).
Good to know:
- Automatically triggers Lift Gate charges (and sometimes Inside Delivery) because carriers can’t assume you have dock equipment.
- Rural roads may need smaller box trucks—communicate tight turns or weight-restricted bridges in advance.
Final Tips
- Check Your Site: Measure door widths, note stairways, and verify whether a 53-ft trailer can reach the dock.
- Budget for Add-Ons: Carriers bill services individually; adding them later often costs more than including them at checkout.
- Inspect Before Signing: Damage claims rely on noting issues on the Proof of Delivery (POD). Have packaging photos ready.
- Ask Us! Unsure which option fits? Email info@usa-rs.com—we’ve been outfitting kitchens and food trucks since 2016 and can walk you through the most cost-effective choice.
Choosing the right delivery services upfront saves headaches, rescheduling fees, and—most importantly—keeps your project on time. Plan ahead, pick the add-ons that fit your location, and your equipment will roll in smoothly.