6 Expert Guidelines to Find a Transportation Company

There are hundreds or even thousands of trucking companies serving the transportation industry. How do you know which one is the best to transport your freight safely and reliably?You want a company that is properly equipped, affordable, and professional. The trucking company you choose can make or break your business’ budget. Here’s how to choose the best transportation company to move your freight.

1. Don’t Go For the Cheapest Offer

Generally, if the price you get as a quote seems too low to be true, go with your first instinct. You don’t want to jump into a contract with a trucking company just because they have the lowest pricing. Most companies who offer you a super deal want to get you to sign, then will look for a different carrier to agree to the terms. When they fail, you’re stuck with a signed contract but your goods won’t be moved until the company finds someone to ship according to the terms on the contract.

2. Not Just About Pricing

When businesses look for a freight carrier, often times they choose based on price. While the cost associated with transporting goods is important, there are many other things a business should look for.

• Can the freight company’s facilities accommodate your needs?
• Does the trucking company do partial loads or do they prefer full loads?
• Is this a franchise or part of one large carrier company?
• Are all of the company’s trucks reliable, capable of travelling the distances required?
• Are the drivers owner/operators or are they employees of the freight company?

3. Research Basic Information

Look for as much information as you can find on the companies you are investigating. Look at ads, reviews, and ask for referrals to create a shortlist of companies that might work for you. Ask for a quote. And always read the quote and contract carefully before you sign anything.

4. Background Checks

It’s always a good idea to do a background check on each of the potential trucking companies you are considering. You need to know the reputation and reliability of the transport company that will be handling the shipping for your business. A little research can reveal a lot of information a shady company would prefer you didn’t discover, like poor reviews, complaints, and fines levied by the Ministry of Transportation.

Be as thorough as possible because in some cases, once a company receives several complaints they simply create a new name for the business. It’s always a good idea to ask around with peers, other business owners, and anyone else you know who uses a carrier service to see what companies they use.

5. Quality of the Job Done

Before choosing a trucking company, a business has to find out how well the freight company carries out their business. For transporting goods and merchandise, timing is often key; a freight company has to be able to deliver shipments reliably and on time with zero to minimal breakage or damage. Carriers that have been around for a number of years will usually have the knowledge and expertise to get the job done as efficiently as possible, and will offer training techniques to keep drivers/employees on top of their game when it comes to shipping types of products.

6. Large Shipments

For companies that need to have large shipments delivered, the right carrier will have the manpower and equipment to move freight. Hand jacks, portable dollies, and fork trucks are used by most trucking companies so the goods can be unloaded and loaded as safely and quickly as possible. Always make sure the company offers the right training to give its employees the knowledge and tools they will need to be reliable and productive.