Check the route from vehicle to room
Review the delivery approach, unloading area, doors, lifts, stairs and tight turns using the packed dimensions. A large reception desk may fit the finished room but not the route into it. Ask the site team to confirm access and any booking or equipment requirements. If an item must be split into sections, resolve that during design approval rather than after it reaches the building.
Name the people and work included
Confirm who unloads, counts packages, moves furniture inside, unpacks, assembles and removes waste. These activities are not automatically included in transport or procurement. Give the carrier a reliable receiving contact and agree the delivery window. Clarify how waiting time, failed access or an unavailable receiving team will be handled before the truck is dispatched.
Prepare clean and secure holding space
Identify where furniture can wait without obstructing work or being exposed to moisture, dust or other trades. Match storage arrangements to manufacturer guidance and the condition of the building. Keep labels visible and group packages by installation zone. If the site is not ready, discuss alternative arrangements early; an unplanned move can add handling and complicate responsibility for damage.
Use a receiving record from the first package
Compare delivered packages with the packing list, note visible packaging damage and photograph relevant labels. Record missing or unexpected packages before the receiving record is closed. Follow the agreed claim procedure and deadlines with the responsible parties. Open and inspect goods according to the project plan, keeping the connection between an item, its package and its assigned room.
Project checklist
What to prepare
- Confirmed access dimensions and unloading arrangements.
- Named receiving contact, delivery window and labour scope.
- Suitable temporary storage and room allocation.
- Packing list, receiving log and agreed reporting procedure.
A useful question
Does furniture delivery include assembly and placement?
Only when those services are specifically agreed. Confirm the exact endpoint of the delivery service and separately identify unloading, movement inside, assembly, fixing, placement and waste removal. This avoids discovering a gap in responsibilities while the shipment is already at the site.