What is Residential Delivery and How Does it Work?

A shipper’s guide to residential freight

We all know the excitement of receiving a package at our doorsteps, but when it comes to larger freight deliveries, there may be questions about what to expect. If you or your customers aren’t familiar with the process of home deliveries, the equipment, scheduling and service options can take some getting used to.

While a lot happens behind the scenes to pull off seamless residential deliveries, the right preparation will make sure your customers get what they need, right at their door.

Defining residential delivery

Residential delivery is the process of getting items that are too big to ship with parcel service to a customer’s home or a home-based business, instead of a commercial location. You’ll often see things like furniture, workout gear, appliances, mattresses, large DIY items like sheds, and even bulk pallet orders being delivered this way.

Explaining the home delivery process

Here’s a high-level look at how home freight delivery works:

Your customer orders your product, and you collect all the necessary information, including their residential address and contact details.
You prepare the product for shipping and contact an LTL carrier for pickup.
The LTL carrier picks up the shipment and moves it through its network.
Once it arrives at the destination city, the carrier schedules a delivery appointment with your customer, giving them a delivery window.
The local delivery driver brings the shipment to the customer’s home and unloads it (generally with a liftgate), following any specific instructions.
The customer receives the shipment, checks it for any visible damage and signs the delivery receipt.
If additional services, such as installation or setup, are required, the carrier or a third-party service provider will assist with those tasks.

Not sure if your items need LTL? Compare LTL and parcel to see when to use each service.

What fees are associated with residential delivery?

Because residential delivery is an added service, you’ll see some accessorial charges on your freight bill. Specific pricing will depend on the carrier you use and the details of the shipment, but you’ll typically see a surcharge for residential delivery and a liftgate fee.

What’s the difference between residential delivery and final-mile delivery?

In most cases, residential delivery is a final-mile service specifically used for getting freight to people’s homes. Final-mile is a broader term that covers everything that happens during the delivery process, including inside delivery, assembly and trash removal.

How do I choose the right logistics provider?

Look for a provider with a strong LTL network, experience with residential shipments, and additional service options your customers want or expect. A reliable partner should also offer clear communication and tracking, so you and your customers know exactly when deliveries will arrive.

How do I make sure my customers have a good experience?

Residential customers are typically people who have purchased items online, and they have high expectations of what the delivery experience should be like. They expect clear communication, including an estimate of when it will arrive and how to track it along the way. And they don’t want to be surprised by added shipping costs.

To help ensure an excellent experience for your customers, be sure to communicate these details ahead of time:

Shipping cost and any related fees
The estimated delivery date
How to track the shipment
Delivery instructions
How proof of delivery works

Work with your carrier to make sure you have the right information.

Ship with ArcBest

Ready to streamline your residential deliveries? Whether you’re shipping furniture, appliances or other large items to your customers’ homes, our services ensure a smooth and reliable delivery experience for your customers.