Plenty of people search for a freight calculator before they book. For a standard carton, a calculator gets close. For garage doors, joinery, furniture or anything else bulky or awkward, it is mostly a guess, which is why we quote each job individually. This guide explains what goes into a freight quote, so the price makes sense and you can get an accurate one quickly.
Size Usually Matters More Than Weight
On a truck, space runs out before weight does. Bulky but light items, such as aluminium joinery, doors, furniture and beds, are priced on the cubic metres they take up: depth x width x height. A ranch slider weighs far less than a pallet of tiles, but it takes up much more of the deck.
Unless the Item Is Heavy
Compact, heavy items, such as machinery, stone or a pallet of tiles, are priced on weight when the weight works out higher than the size. This is standard across the freight industry and stops a small, very heavy item being priced as if it weighed nothing.
Where It Is Going
Freight going to a town on one of our weekly runs shares the truck with other customers' freight, so each customer pays only for their share of the trip. An address well off the route, or freight that needs a truck of its own, costs more because the trip is built around that one job. See our North Island routes for where our trucks go each week.
Each Delivery Address Is a Stop
Every pickup and delivery takes time to load, unload and get signed for. That is why each consignment carries its own drop charge as well as the charge for its size. Two items going to one address cost less than the same two items going to two different addresses.
Access, Extras and Timing
Rural Addresses
Long driveways, gravel roads and properties well off the highway take extra time, so rural deliveries carry an extra charge. Read what to expect for rural delivery.
Homes and Sites Without a Forklift
Every truck has a tail lift, so we can deliver where there is no loading dock. A tail lift delivery may carry a small extra charge, which is shown on your quote.
A Second Person
Some very large items need two people to unload. For Auckland deliveries we can add a second person, and it is shown as its own line on the quote.
Urgent Freight
If freight cannot wait for the scheduled run, a dedicated truck can take it straight there. That costs more than the weekly run because the whole trip is yours.
Fuel Surcharge and GST
Our quotes show the freight charge, the fuel surcharge (FAF) and GST as separate lines, so you can see exactly what makes up the total. If you are not sure what the fuel surcharge is, read what a fuel surcharge on freight is.
Insurance
Freight travels at limited carrier's risk by default. If your goods are valuable, ask for Declared Value Cover when you request your quote - tell us what they are worth and the premium is added to your quote. Freight insurance explained sets out the options in plain English.
What to Send for an Accurate Quote
Every Item
What it is, how many, its depth, width and height in centimetres, and a rough weight. A photo helps for odd shapes.
Both Addresses
The full pickup and delivery addresses, and whether either is a house, a rural property or a site without a forklift.
Timing
When the freight will be ready, and whether it is flexible or has to arrive by a certain date.
Packaging
Whether it is wrapped, crated, boxed or on a pallet. See how to prepare large or awkward items.
Send those details through our quote form and we aim to come back to you with a fixed price within 2 hours. If you send freight regularly, opening an account makes booking quicker.
← Back to all articles