Most delivery problems are preventable. The 30 minutes you spend on this checklist before your shipment arrives will save you a week of waiting if something goes wrong. This guide is specifically for the LTL freight delivery we use for sheds, carports, gazebos, greenhouses, and portable garages.

72 hours before delivery

Confirm the delivery window

The freight carrier will call you 24–48 hours before delivery to schedule a window (usually 4 hours). If you haven’t heard from them by then, call the tracking number we provided in your shipping confirmation. Don’t wait — missed appointments can push delivery back several days and may incur re-delivery fees.

Decide where the freight goes

By default, LTL is curbside — the driver leaves pallets at the end of your driveway or in front of your property. Decide now whether that’s where you want them. If you need:

  • Delivery inside a gated property: Confirm with the carrier in advance — this may require “limited access” service.
  • Pallets dropped at a specific spot: Have it marked clearly. The driver isn’t required to maneuver around the property.
  • A liftgate to lower pallets to ground level: Confirm with the carrier; most quote $50–$125 added if not pre-ordered.

Check the access route

A 53-foot trailer needs approximately:

  • 12 feet of width on the access road
  • 14 feet of overhead clearance
  • A turning radius of 40–50 feet to leave

Common blockers we see customers run into:

  • Low-hanging tree branches over the driveway
  • Mailbox arms that don’t fold
  • Narrow gates or fence openings
  • Soft ground after rain (heavy trucks will sink)
  • Cul-de-sacs too small for a 53-foot trailer to turn around in

If any of these apply, contact the carrier — they can usually arrange a smaller truck (26’ box truck) for a fee, or you can opt to meet the truck at a wider road and shuttle freight on a smaller vehicle.

24 hours before delivery

Line up help to unload

This is the single most-missed step. Standard LTL is a delivery, not an unload. The driver may help cut pallet straps but is not contractually obligated to carry boxes off the truck. Plan for:

  • 2–4 capable adults for a wood shed kit (panels are heavy but can be hand-walked off a liftgate).
  • A tractor with forks, skid steer, or rented forklift for large pallets (1,500–3,000 lbs). Many rural buyers rent a forklift for the day — $50–$150 saves your back and prevents damage.
  • A reasonably flat staging spot within rolling distance of the truck.

Prepare the staging area

Where will the pallets sit until you’re ready to assemble? Considerations:

  • Cover them. If they’ll sit more than a day or two, plan tarps. Manufacturer packaging is not waterproof.
  • Off bare dirt. Set pallets on a level driveway, garage floor, or scrap lumber to keep components off damp ground.
  • Theft consideration. Pallets are conspicuous; consider securing the area if you’re leaving them outside.

Have ID and order info ready

Whoever signs for the freight is the legal recipient. They’ll need:

  • Government-issued ID (driver may ask)
  • Your order number
  • A pen for the BOL
  • A phone for photos

The day of delivery

Inspect every pallet before signing

This is non-negotiable. Walk around every pallet and look for:

  • Crushed corners (suggests pallet was dropped or fork-lifted carelessly)
  • Punctured or torn shrink-wrap
  • Visible damage to crates, boxes, or contents
  • Bent metal, splintered wood, or any “something’s wrong” signal

If you see anything suspicious:

  1. Write it on the BOL before you sign. Phrasing like “visible damage to two corners of pallet #2, possible internal damage” protects your future claim. A clean BOL signature waives most damage claims.
  2. Take photos. Multiple angles. Date-stamped.
  3. Don’t refuse the shipment unless damage is severe. Accepted-with-damage is faster to resolve than refused-and-redelivered.
  4. Email us within 48 hours at sales@storageshedsoutlet.com with photos and your BOL annotation.

Don’t open boxes at the curb

Sign for the freight (with damage noted if any), get the truck on its way, and move pallets to the staging area before unwrapping. Driver time is metered and they won’t wait for you to inventory boxes.

After delivery

Inventory within 24 hours

Open the pallets and confirm contents against the packing list. Look for:

  • Missing components or parts
  • Internal damage that wasn’t visible at delivery
  • Wrong parts or incorrect quantities

If anything is missing, damaged, or incorrect, email us right away. Most manufacturers require concealed-damage claims to be filed within a fixed window (usually 5–15 days), so don’t delay.

Store properly until assembly

  • Wood components: Cover with tarps and elevate off the ground.
  • Metal components: Keep dry; condensation can stain or rust pre-finished metal.
  • Hardware bags: Bring inside — tiny parts blow away and bags can be punctured.
  • Glazing for greenhouses: Store flat or vertical, never leaning unsupported.

Plan your assembly

Before the freight arrives, read our Shed Assembly guide and the manufacturer’s manual. Most kits assemble in 1–3 days with 2 people; commercial-grade or large carport kits may need 3–5 days and equipment.

Questions?

Email sales@storageshedsoutlet.com with your order number. We respond within one business day. If your freight arrives outside business hours and you spot damage, take photos and email us — we’ll handle the claim from there.