Choosing the right heavy haulage company is an important decision for your own business. Failure to opt for a reputable company can damage your company’s reputation, harm your day-to-day operations, negatively impact your supply chain and hurt customer relationships.
If your clients are relying on you to provide a product, you must put your trust in a professional haulage company.
At J.B. Rawcliffe & Sons, we understand the importance of a reliable heavy haulage service more than most – which is why we’re here to help you.
Read on to find out how you can choose the right heavy haulage transport company to take your heavy equipment from one place to the next.
How can a professional haulage company benefit you?
If your company is regularly transporting goods across the UK and you’re struggling to keep up with the demands of hauling abnormal loads, then a heavy haulage company is ideal for you.
Not only will they handle the difficult task of transporting goods from point A to point B, but they provide cost savings.
Heavy haulage companies have their heavy haulage vehicles that can transport heavy loads like construction equipment while providing a service quality you’d expect.
Hauling companies have all the equipment and the right vehicles for every type of job, something you’re unlikely to possess. They can also provide escort vehicles for a particularly abnormal load, as well as other services you’re unlikely to match – saving you time, resources and money.
7 tips for choosing a reputable company for heavy haulage
So, you have some goods that you need transporting and you require the services of a heavy haulage company? Follow our tips to ensure you pick the right company.
Consider the cargo
Before choosing the right heavy haulage company, you must first recognise exactly what you need to transport.
A reliable heavy haulage company will be able to handle all kinds of abnormal loads, but you may have a particularly complex piece of equipment to transport. This will need specialised support, especially if it’s extremely large.
Experience matters
Experience is one of the key factors in choosing a heavy haulage business to transport your goods. You may find a new business in your area that looks great on the surface, but it lacks the experience that other companies in the area may possess.
Heavy haulage is a complex task and you want to ensure your goods – which are likely expensive – are in the hands of somebody you can trust to get the job done efficiently.
Find a company with a long history of successful heavy haulage tasks; look up customer reviews and case studies, and speak to other business owners you know who have used a haulage company previously.
Don’t opt for the cheapest quote
Running a business can be expensive, especially in the modern era, and saving pennies everywhere you can is essential.
However, when it comes to transporting your expensive, heavy goods, choosing the cheapest offer could end up costing you more in the long run.
It’s also important to remember that the lowest quote could include hidden fees.
Your best bet is to reach out to multiple companies for quotes and compare them. The lowest quote may well be the best service but you should at least compare to others.
If you get a suspiciously low quote from one heavy haulage company, it’s probably best to stay away in case they have a poor track record and include hidden costs to bring the price up.
Check for other services
It’s wise to check if a heavy haulage company can provide services other than simply transportation. Because heavy haulage is such a complex industry and jobs can vary massively depending on the load and distance involved, it’s beneficial if a company can offer more than just transportation.
You may find a heavy haulage company that is willing to go above and beyond to offer you bespoke, excellent service.
Who knows, you may even need this company for other services further down the road and you’ll be thankful you set up a relationship with them now.
Check insurance
You should check the heavy haulage company for insurance coverage. Ensure their driver is fully covered and that the company is insured in case of a crash or damage to your goods.
The last thing you want after hiring a company is your expensive goods to be damaged in transit and you have to foot the bill.
Prioritise customer service
How is the heavy haulage company on the phone? Are they friendly and attentive or standoffish and rude?
Are they open to discussing the entire task at hand, the goods that need transporting or are they a little short and straight to the point?
You’ll get a feel for how a business may perform based on how they interact with you. If you get a bad vibe when speaking to them, do not trust them with your heavy loads.
Do they have a modern fleet?
How new are the heavy haulage company’s vehicles?
When speaking to the company, ask them questions about the fleet, such as its age and condition and what type of vehicles it has available.
If they have a limited number of vehicles or their current stock is outdated, it may be best to opt for a different heavy haulage company.
Are they environmentally responsible?
Finally, are they eco-friendly?
In 2024, businesses must be environmentally responsible so if you find a heavy haulage company that isn’t, you should probably avoid them.
Companies that demonstrate their care for the environment show an empathetic side and are likely to care more about the quality and efficiency of their delivery. They can also future-proof your supply chain against regulation changes.
Choose the most reliable heavy haulage company in the UK
So, you’re ready to find a reliable, efficient and professional heavy haulage company. Luckily we know just the one – us!
At J.B. Rawcliffe & Sons, we believe we’re the best choice for transporting heavy goods around the UK. Here’s why:
- We’re environmentally responsible
- We prioritise customer service
- Our modern fleet is unrivalled
- Our insurance covers everything
- We’re certified
- Our service is excellent value for money
- We have incredible experience in all types of heavy haulage
If you’re still undecided on which heavy haulage company to opt for, why not contact us and speak to a member of our team? We’ll be happy to discuss your heavy haulage needs and how we can help you.
Simply call 01695 737880 or send an email to enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com.