Freight Insights
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Final-Mile Carrier
A checklist of the questions that reveal whether a final-mile carrier can actually deliver what your customers expect.
United Federal Freight LLC · September 8, 2026 · 3 min read
Use this list on a call with any final-mile carrier. Specific answers are a good sign. Vague ones are not.
Equipment and capability
- What vehicles do you run, and what equipment is on each truck?
- Do all trucks have liftgates? Pallet jacks? Hand trucks? Blankets and straps?
- What is your maximum shipment size and weight?
- Do you deliver to residential addresses? Locations without a dock?
Service
- Can you provide inside delivery, room of choice, two-person crews, stair carry?
- Do you offer unpacking, assembly, and debris removal?
- Can you schedule appointment windows and call the recipient ahead?
Communication and documentation
- Who do I call, and when are they available?
- How will I know the delivery is complete?
- Do you provide signed POD and delivery photos?
- How are damage and exceptions documented?
Business
- What are your USDOT and MC numbers?
- Can you provide a certificate of insurance and W-9?
- What freight do you not accept?
- How does nationwide coverage work: your trucks, partners, or both?
United Federal Freight LLC publishes its answers to most of these on this site. For the rest, call 404-980-8335.
Next step
Ready to put this into practice?
Tell us about the shipment and we will tell you how we would handle it.