The business world is becoming an
increasingly connected place, and with this, comes a certain level of
expectation from clients. Services need to be carried out quickly, efficiently
and to the correct specification in order to remain competitive - this is the
same for all industries throughout the world. If you’re working with products
that need to be shipped to customers and clients, you may have considered
enlisting the help of a haulage company.
Coming with a variety of benefits, a
quality haulage company can make a significant difference to your goods
transport operation, keeping clients happy and your profits growing. However,
in the current financial climate, a business must make astute decisions and
ensure that the companies they hire are reputable and experienced. You may
remember the news story of a Cumbrian haulage firm caught swindling their clients
by falsifying tachograph records and feel worried about ensuring you’re
investing in quality.
Luckily, for every shady haulage company, there are countless cargo transport
businesses who strive to offer their customers a professional service. However,
it’s useful to keep in mind some factors to ensure you only get the best of the
best. With this in mind, we at D & D Transport have decided to put together
a list of the dos and don’ts when hiring cargo and freight services.
How
can haulage companies benefit you?
When
considering enlisting the help of a haulage company, you may still be wondering
what actual
benefits your operation
can expect to gain from working with one. For starters, hiring a haulage
company is one of the most cost-effective solutions when transporting goods.
Rather than
trying the extremely costly process of attempting to transport products
yourself, a haulage company will have a fleet at the ready driven by qualified
drivers who understand the complexities of heavy haulage.
A quality
haulage company will also have a wide array of transport options, meaning you
won’t have to worry about whether your goods can be transported. Finally, it
can be useful to consider the time-saving aspect of employing a haulage
business. Transporting your goods en masse can make distribution quicker and
your whole operation faster as a result.
Of course, this all depends on whether you work with a quality haulage
operator, so keep the following points in mind when shopping around.
Do consider your cargo transport
Before starting
your search for a reputable haulage company, it’s important to spend time
considering what you actually need to transport. The needs of a small business
will have wildly different requirements to a large-scale operation and will, in
turn, require different haulage services.
By
understanding your individual needs and, in turn, passing this information onto
your chosen haulage company, you can make a much more informed decision when it
comes to putting your money down.
Don’t count out experience
Although it
may seem as though driving from A to B is a relatively easy job, haulage
operators have a very complex occupation on a day to day basis, meaning a lot
can go wrong if an operator lacks experience.
With this in mind, consider working with a haulage company that has a long
track record in the industry. A haulage company that has been trading for
decades is far more likely to offer a more professional service than one still
in its infancy.
Do take time to research freight companies
In much the
same way as any service you may require,
it is essential to do some preliminary research on the company in
question. Asking a haulage business for references or checking online for
previous customer reviews are great ways to start creating an image of the company
in question.
If your
chosen haulage company is somewhat cagey about offering you references or has a
variety of negative reviews from previous customers, this should be seen as a
significant red flag and you should consider looking elsewhere. On the other
hand, a haulage company that is happy to talk you through previous work and
their history as a business shows transparency.
Finally, don’t forget to check if your chosen haulage company is a member of
any accredited bodies within the industry. Associations such as the Fleet
Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) looks to create a high standard of vehicle
operation and requires all members to follow their strict rules in order to be
accredited. With this in mind, a haulage company connected to one of these
associations is a sure sign of quality.
Don’t go for the cheapest quote
Running a
business can be an expensive exercise and, for many of us, finding ways to keep
costs down is pretty high on the priority list. However, when it comes to
haulage, going for the cheapest quote you can find can be a potentially more
expensive choice in the long run.
When it
comes to working with a company who will be handling your goods for long
amounts of time, the old saying ‘you can’t afford to go cheap’ comes to mind. Therefore,
one of the best things you can do when looking for the right service for you is
to gather at least three quotes from prospective companies.
Gathering
quotes in your area can help give you an idea of the average pricing for your
job and can make the task of weeding out any extortionately high or
suspiciously low quotes that could affect your operations efficiency easier.
Multiple quotes can also give you a certain amount of bargaining power, as some
haulage companies may look to match offers made by their competitors.
Do check for other services
Of course, a
company that can offer a quality haulage service is essential when shopping
around, however, some haulage businesses have the resources to go above and
beyond their competitors to offer a truly bespoke service. Haulage jobs can
vary massively depending on the distance and load involved, so a company that
can happily cater to even the more awkward cargo will be a better choice.
Some haulage
companies may also offer services such as warehouse storage
which can be
especially useful for bulk loads that need to be stored before they can be
delivered.
Don’t forget to check for insurance
It is
important that you check that whoever is delivering your goods and products is
fully covered in case of an accident. This is essential as, if your driver is
not fully insured, you could find yourself in legal hot water.
This, of
course, goes further than simply having the correct driving insurance, as there
will also need to be employer liability insurance and more specific policies in
place, depending on the cargo being transported.
If you
believe that your driver is operating their vehicle without the correct cover,
they are doing so illegally, putting themselves and your business in danger of
litigation.
Work with the cargo transport experts at D
& D Transport
Getting your
goods from A to B as quickly and efficiently as possible is key to making a
growing operation a profitable one. However, finding someone who will
adequately care for your cargo can be difficult. Luckily, if you live in the
Nottingham area, you needn’t look further than D & D Transport.
Since
opening our doors over 25 years ago, D & D Transport has gone from strength
to strength, offering industry-leading cargo haulage services to countless
happy customers. Spanning both domestic and commercial haulage, our extensively
varied fleet of vehicles are operated by qualified drivers to ensure that,
whatever the load, we can get it to its destination.
For those looking for a secure space to store both small or large haulage, our
storage facilities and warehouse space is ready to cater to your storage needs
and ensure your property is secured to the highest standard.
If you’re in the Nottingham area and struggling to find a haulage name you can
trust, then look no further than D & D Transport. For more information on
our wide array of services, visit our
website
or get in touch with a member of our team on
01773 533 366.
