Looking to ship your construction equipment but not sure how much it’s going to cost? It’s not a straightforward answer, but below you’ll find how to ship your construction equipment, what to expect, and all the factors that go into pricing the shipping cost of construction equipment.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Average Cost of Shipping Construction Equipment
How far you’re shipping your equipment as well as how large the equipment is will both factor into the total price of the shipment. You’ll be given a per-mile cost but it can change depending on the varying circumstances, who you’re working with, the distance traveled, and if the equipment needs special care during the transit.
Weight
You’ll start to encounter issues if your equipment is over 46,000 pounds or is wider than 8.5 feet. You’re also going to need to stay within the dimensions of 13.5 feet in height as well as 48-53 feet in length.
Delivering Permit
If your construction equipment requires permits to deliver, then this will add not just to the price of the delivery, but also to the entire cost. With this in mind, it’s best to go with a company like A-1 Auto Transport Inc which have experience in shipping construction equipment worldwide.
Loading and Unloading
You’ll also need to factor in if your equipment requires special loading and unloading, or disassembling and reassembling on arrival, as these will drive the costs up significantly. If the weight goes over what is normally allowed, then an oversized permit will make the driver go through a specialized route, further adding to the distance and cost of the shipment.
Distance
Depending on your transportation provider, you may end up paying something like $3.50 per mile if the distance is under 500 miles, $3-$4 if the distance is 500-1000 miles, and $0.95 to $1.40 if the distance is over 3000 miles. These rates are simple estimations and will vary greatly for each provider.
How Long Does it Take to Ship Construction Equipment?
It’s going to be a wild guess at how long it takes to get your construction equipment to the desired location. This is because there may be weather obstructions, traffic, and permit delays that drivers encounter along the journey.
You’ll at best be given a range of days (normally between 2-3) when your construction equipment will arrive at the destination. If you need the equipment on a specific date, then it’s paramount that you address your concerns prior so that the equipment can be shipped earlier and left in storage (which may cost extra depending on the transportation service provider).
Is it Worth Shipping Your Construction Equipment?
If you don’t already have the means to ship your equipment, then you’re likely going to save money by going with a professional shipping service over trying to do it yourself. If what you’re shipping can fit into a regular ole’ truck, then you won’t incur any large fees and won’t need to go through the trouble of renting your truck or trailer.
Shipping heavy equipment can also be fairly dangerous and is best left to professionals. Factor in the cost of the equipment, time, and money spent renting, you’re looking at an enormous investment when you can simply pay a professional to do the leg work for you.
You’ll also be able to insure your equipment for the total cost (it varies from provider to provider, so double check what the liability is) at an additional fee, which you also need to factor in if you decide to do it yourself.
What to Look for in a Construction Shipping Provider?
The most important aspect to look for in a shipping provider is if they are experienced in shipping construction equipment. If they aren’t, they aren’t going to understand the intricacies and are likely to make mistakes when shipping your expensive equipment.
You also want to ensure that they’re well-reviewed on multiple platforms and can give you a clear-cut quote without any hidden fees. When heavy equipment is involved, the fees may be high, so you must know what you’re getting into before you go through with it.
Conclusion
While it may be tempting to rush to ship your heavy construction equipment, you must verify the company you’re working with has experience with shipping construction equipment.
It may be tempting to try shipping the equipment yourself, but then you’ll need to go through the trouble of finding an insurance provider, renting the truck itself, and by this point, the task seems much too daunting to consider it over hiring a shipping provider. You’ll likely save money (and definitely time) and will live with much less headache.
