Do you want to start a construction business? For your business to succeed in the market, you need to plan out your business strategies carefully. One area you need to consider is the planning and mobilization of construction raw shipping materials. It is a part of the procurement process of your construction.
In 2017, approximately 10.7 million people were working in the construction industry. These workers are a part of an industry that generated 7 percent of the total U.S. GDP. The amount of money spent on construction reached a high of $1.23 trillion. Seventy-seven percent of the construction was in the private sector.
But how do you ship your construction materials? Here are some guidelines to help you handle the building materials for your business.
You Should Choose a Specialized Carrier
If you want to transport heavy and delicate materials, you need to use a specialized carrier. The carrier should know how to handle such goods.
An excellent and credible carrier will help you identify the shipping option with the best value. They will also ensure that the materials arrive at a convenient date and without any damage.
One way they do so is by transporting similar goods together to minimize any damage that may occur on the road. A good example is when carrying delicate slabs made of marble. You should transport them alone to avoid scratches or breakages.
It is also essential for building materials to arrive at the right time. If building materials arrive before the set time, they can get lost or damaged. It can occur when the workers do not store them in the right place.
Ensure Your Construction Materials Meet the Carriers Carrying Capabilities
Before transporting your construction materials, you need to weigh them and ensure that they meet the carrier’s weight and size requirements.
You may have to incur an extra fee if you transport oversized construction supplies. The size and the weight of the material you want to carry can help you determine the shipping costs.
If you want to transport large shipments, you can use the services of a freight carrier. Apart from the size of the construction material, some factors may affect how you carry your materials.
Are the materials you want to transport hazardous? You may need to sign an exclusive hazardous-material contract before transportation.
Also, you should be careful when transporting high-risk materials such as glass. You should measure the dimension of the products as most of them are classed by density.
Re-Package the Pallet Shipments that Are from Overseas
If some of your building supplies are from overseas, they will arrive on a pallet meant for transportation over the ocean. You should not transport the materials on the pallet they came in.
Taking into account that the medium of travel is different, there are several considerations you need to make before you can make your shipment. It is especially important if you are dealing with non-bulk materials.
A good example is if you are transporting cement. It is common for cement to be packed in a paper bag when on transit through the ocean.
However, the paper bag may not be durable enough to withstand ground transportation.
You should, therefore, cover the bases before using the paper bag. If your shipment consists of many items, you should break them up and repackage them in new ground shipping containers. You can get your pallet rack here.
You Should Choose the Right Shipping Container
You need to know exactly how fragile and rugged your materials are. It helps when you want to choose the right containers with the necessary cushioning.
When transporting heavy construction materials, you should use a double-wall corrugated box. It should also have stitched seams. The style of the box can affect the support it offers the products.
When shipping small items, you should use the regular slotted containers. The flaps of these boxes meet in the middle.
When transporting bulky items that require more support, you should use full-overlap boxes. The flaps in these overlap allow the carton to support more weight.
When transporting light and fragile items, you need to wrap them in bubble wrap to guard them against any damage.
When choosing the right container to use, ensure that it provides the building materials with enough space for a cushion. It should be just enough, but not too much or too little.
Carriers that specialize in the craft have a team of knowledgeable personnel that can help you make the best decision.
You Should Use the Right Padding Material
Ensure that your packaging box has enough padding material to prevent the building supplies from moving around while in transit. The padding material to use on heavy supplies should be strong enough not to collapse due to the weight.
You can customize and reinforce the outer box when the materials to transport are heavy. For fragile items, you can use packaging foam to prevent any damage.
If you are shipping several items in one box, you should use corrugated inserts. They help to divide the box into sections and reduce the impact when different materials collide and break.
You Should Seal your Package Properly
You should seal your container with six strips of heavy-duty tape on both sides of the box. When transporting heavy construction materials, you should use a 60-pound grade tape. You can also add some nylon reinforcements.
To provide enough strength and support, the tape should at least be 3 inches wide.
Shipping Materials for your Construction Business
There are various shipping materials and products you may want to transport to a construction site. Some of these materials may include glasses, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and electrical components.
Even though the products may vary, one common aspect you need to look out for when finding a carrier is the size and weight of the load. If you want your shipment to arrive safely and securely, you need to choose the right carrier.
For that, you need to conduct extensive planning and research. It helps avoid any unexpected difficulties that may interfere with your construction timeline.
You can find many shipping experts with extensive experience in dealing with construction materials to help you.
Find out more about how to ship materials for your construction business by reading our blog.