Freight is easy to underestimate when a plant quote is reviewed only as a unit price. A shipment depends on where material is available, how it is packed, what vehicle can carry it and whether the site can receive it. Those details can change the delivered plant cost and should be visible in a project estimate.
01 / Logistics
Know what the supplier price includes
Ask whether the supplier quote is nursery pickup, delivery to a defined address, or an estimate with freight to be confirmed. Clarify any minimum load, fuel, handling, unloading or access assumptions. A quote that includes delivery to a nearby depot may not cover transport to the jobsite or placement at the planting area.
Record the delivery location and quote date. For projects across British Columbia, a supplier's distance from the site may significantly affect freight options. Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and remote or access-constrained locations can present different routing and cost considerations.
02 / Logistics
Plant format changes the load
Large trees, B&B material and substantial container stock take more space and may require different loading or unloading equipment than plugs and small pots. A high number of plants does not always translate into a full truck, and a relatively short species list can still require significant transport capacity if the stock is large.
Ask how the plants will be packed and whether a mixed order can travel together. Species from different suppliers or production locations may require separate shipments. Combining orders can improve efficiency in some cases, but timing and handling constraints may make separate deliveries more practical.
03 / Logistics
Include site receiving conditions
Delivery cost is affected by more than road distance. Consider truck access, turning room, unloading equipment, weight limits, site hours, traffic control, staging area and whether the delivery point is at the site gate or closer to the planting location. Identify special constraints early and make sure the receiving party knows what equipment or labor is expected.
For sensitive restoration areas, the available route may be limited or a transfer to smaller vehicles may be needed. Those arrangements should be discussed with the project team and supplier. Do not assume that a standard nursery delivery includes specialized access or on-site distribution.
04 / Logistics
Model delivery phasing honestly
Phased work can require multiple dispatches, each with its own freight and coordination cost. Compare the cost of one consolidated load with the practical implications of holding plants on site. Site readiness, storage conditions, planting sequence and living-material care all influence the better option.
In the estimate, state whether delivery is included, assumed, allowance-based or still to be confirmed. Refresh freight pricing when quantities, supplier locations, timing or site conditions change. Clear assumptions help the bid team understand what has been carried and what requires a final supplier confirmation.