Home based biz going to commercial space-DO I NEED A DOCK?

You need to make something that they can back up to and then you roll the pallets out. If its a pain in the butt, you will be the last to get deliveries. It is an expense but needed. How about if its raining? Can your items get soaked with no problem? Keep looking around, the economy is not booming, you will find something that fits your needs and your budget.

 

You're better off checking with a 3PL on warehousing. You're talking about 10-26 pallets, which isn't much. Storage, Crossdocking/Transload will be relatively inexpensive. Are you looking for just storage or sort & segregate and order fulfillment?

 

I unloaded and loaded many many trucks with a jack and forklift, and the pressure cleaner manufacturer I worked for was not small time. We shipped 15-20 pallets a day this way, and received a couple trucks a week. It sucks in weather, but you do what you have to. Good luck. Used forklifts can be had pretty cheap once you figure out exactly what you need.

 

They can still help. Many 3PL's have completely scalable systems, but you would be utilizing their warehouse space. Seems you have your warehouse space already, which kinda derails the idea of sourcing it out. I would check on daily fork lift rental.

 

Your other problem, is without a dock, you're going to need a lift gate, or pallet jacks/driver assist to get pallets to the tailgate. That will cost you extra money for the carrier. Typically you're looking at 2 hours free time before detention starts. Then expect atleast $60/hr.