4 Questions To Ask Your Equipment Hauling Company Before Your Facility Relocation

Are you moving into a new facility? Do you have heavy and over-sized machinery that will need to be transported to the new building? Transporting your equipment is a critical part of the process. You likely need the equipment moved quickly so you can get back to business as soon as possible. You also need to be sure that your equipment will arrive safely and at an expense within your budget. There are many heavy hauling companies out there that can help you with your move. Before you commit to one though, you should interview a few different ones. Here are four important questions to ask:

Do you have experience moving this specific machine? Many companies will tell you that they can handle every over-sized load. However, you want to make sure they have experience with the exact same kind of machine that you have. Ultimately, the hauling company's employees will be responsible for the machine while it's in transport. You want to be sure that they know how to load the machine, how to unload it, and which parts of the machine are most sensitive to disruption or collision. 

Do they have references you can speak with? Most reputable heavy hauling companies will give you a list of references that you can contact. Ideally, they'll give you references of customers who moved the same kinds of equipment that you're moving. Don't skip this process. The customers will likely give you mostly positive reviews, but they may also give you some good pointers that they learned from their move.

Also, don't hesitate to use referrals to find heavy haulers. Ask some of your colleagues and friendly competitors who they used for their last move.

What happens if something is damaged? Your move will likely go off without a hitch. However, you still want to understand what does happen if there is an accident or if your equipment suffers damage. Most heavy haulers will cover damage up to a certain amount. Above and beyond that, you may need to purchase additional insurance. The hauler may offer insurance packages, but you also may want to contact your insurance agent to shop around for rates.

What regulations do you need to comply with? You may need to meet certain regulatory requirements if you're hauling over-sized equipment. For instance, you may need to hire an escort service to follow the truck and clear room around it. You also may need to make highway officials aware of the transport, especially if you're crossing state lines. Ask the hauler whether they help with these requirements or whether you have to handle them on your own.

It's important that you talk to several hauling companies before settling on one. Ask good questions and do your due diligence so you get the heavy hauler that's right for you.