Delivery & Receiving With Bates Cabinetry
Receiving Your Cabinet Order
A cabinet freight delivery is different from a normal package delivery. Knowing what to expect, what to inspect, and what to document helps protect the order and makes delivery day go much more smoothly.
Know what to expect on delivery day.
Bates coordinates the order details and prepares you for the freight delivery so you know what needs to happen while the driver is there.
A person age 18 or older must be present to inspect, inventory, and sign for the shipment. Be prepared to move the cabinetry from the delivery point after the carrier unloads the pallet.
Cross-check the Bill of Lading and look for visible damage, shortages, or missing pieces before signing.
Note visible issues on the Bill of Lading and take clear photos so Bates can move quickly if a claim is needed.
How the cabinets arrive
- Cabinet freight orders are typically wrapped, strapped, and palletized for transportation.
- For USCD framed flat-pack and assembled orders, each cabinet generally has one corresponding box. Frameless flat-pack cabinetry can use multiple component boxes for one cabinet, so the packing list becomes especially important.
- Trims, mouldings, fillers, and longer pieces may be packed separately from cabinet boxes.
- Most full cabinet orders arrive by LTL freight carrier; smaller items may arrive separately.
Where the freight carrier leaves it
- For liftgate deliveries, the driver unloads the pallet from the truck to ground level.
- When access, pavement, grade, and space allow, the driver may be able to move the pallet farther with a pallet jack, but driveway, garage, or inside placement is not guaranteed.
- The customer is responsible for moving individual cabinets and materials from the delivery point into the home or business.
- Plan enough help, a clear path, and a dry staging area before the truck arrives.
Before signing, compare the Bill of Lading to the shipment, inspect for visible damage or missing items, and write any problems directly on the Bill of Lading. That documentation can be very important if a freight or product claim is needed.
Four things to do while the driver is there.
Count the shipment
Compare the Bill of Lading and packing information to what was actually delivered.
Inspect visible condition
Look at pallets, cartons, cabinet boxes, and trim boxes for damage or missing pieces.
Write down problems
Note visible damage or shortages directly on the Bill of Lading before signing.
Take photos before opening
If a pallet or carton looks damaged, photograph the pallet, wrap, carton, and label before opening it. After opening, photograph any cabinet or part damage clearly. Keep packaging and labels until the issue is resolved.
If something is damaged or missing, document it before anyone installs it.
Do not reject visibly damaged freight. Accept the shipment, note visible damage or shortages on the delivery receipt before signing, and photograph the pallets before opening them. As cartons are opened, photograph packaging, labels, and any cabinet or part damage before assembly or installation. Visible freight damage or shortage claims generally must be filed within 5 business days; missing items within 2 weeks; concealed damage within 1 month.
If you are providing your own installer: Bates Cabinetry LLC is not responsible for damage caused by unloading, handling, storage, assembly, or installation performed by others. Damage first documented after a cabinet has been assembled or installed cannot be treated by Bates as delivery damage. If a claim can no longer be supported with pre-installation documentation, replacement product and delivery would need to be purchased.