Shipping & installation

Can a prefab building actually reach your site?

A route, unloading plan and prepared site should be tested before the factory finishes a module—not after the truck arrives.

The journey has more than one route

International prefab projects may involve factory loading, road transport to port, export handling, ocean freight, destination handling, customs, temporary storage, inland haulage, site entry, unloading and final positioning. Each handoff has limits, paperwork, timing and responsibility.

A route plan should use the finished packed dimensions and weights. Concept dimensions are not enough if roof overhangs, protective frames, lifting gear or packaging alter the transport envelope.

Route evidence to collect

Site access is a geometry and ground problem

Measure more than the gate. A long vehicle needs swept-path space before and after the opening. Check road width, corners, gradients, cambers, overhead wires, branches, signs, parked vehicles and the ability to reverse. Consider seasonal mud, snow, heavy rain or local traffic.

The crane and delivery vehicle also need ground that can safely support their loads. A flat-looking area may contain buried services, uncompacted fill, drainage structures or slopes. The lift planner and site professional should confirm the working platform rather than relying on photographs.

The crane plan can change the building design

Crane capacity depends on load, lift radius, boom configuration, ground and rigging—not just the headline tonnage in the crane name. Module weight, centre of gravity and certified lifting points must be known. If the crane cannot get close, a larger crane or different module split may be required.

Plan the delivery sequence backwards from installation

Modules should arrive in the order they can be placed. Confirm foundation readiness, survey tolerances, crane set-up, crew availability, temporary weather protection and service interfaces. A truck arriving early can create storage and rehandling; a truck arriving late can leave a crane and crew waiting.

For multiple units, identify buffer capacity. Can one delayed truck be bypassed? Where can a damaged or out-of-sequence module wait? Who checks the load at each handoff, records condition and raises a claim?

Responsibility must be contractual

• Who confirms packed dimensions, weights and centre of gravity?
• Who chooses and books each transport mode?
• Who obtains road, escort, port and customs approvals?
• Who provides export packing and weather protection?
• Who bears freight-rate changes, demurrage and storage?
• Who surveys the inland route and prepares the site access?
• Who appoints the crane and prepares the working platform?
• Who insures each stage and documents damage?
• Who pays for waiting, aborted delivery or rehandling?

Common mistakes

1. Using map software as the route survey. Satellite and street imagery may be old and do not provide legal or structural clearance.
2. Pricing only port-to-port freight. Destination handling and the last kilometres can be the difficult part.
3. Assuming the crane can stand anywhere. Radius and ground condition can make the planned lift impossible.
4. Ignoring packaging in the dimensions. Protective frames and roof components can change the transport method.
5. No weather plan. Panels, interiors or open joints may be exposed during storage and installation.
6. No acceptance check. Damage is discovered after insurance and carrier evidence is lost.

Minimum logistics brief

Before freezing the system, assemble a map pin, route photographs or video, gate and road measurements, site levels, proposed foundation plan, overhead constraints, working-platform information and local delivery rules. Add preliminary module dimensions and weights, preferred delivery date, sequence and responsibilities.

Then have the relevant carrier, lifting party and site team review the same information. Logistics is not a purchase-order activity at the end of design; it is an input to the design.