Preparing for delivery day: access, unloading and goods receipt

A controlled goods receipt starts well before the delivery vehicle arrives. This guide explains how to prepare access, the unloading area, helpers, equipment, package checks and temporary storage systematically.

Delivery of a greenhouse, pergola or outdoor sauna is not an ordinary parcel delivery. Depending on the order, long, heavy, delicate packages or units too awkward for one person to handle may arrive. The installation site is also often behind the house, while the delivery vehicle can only reach the property access or a roadside unloading point.

Reliable goods receipt therefore does not begin when the driver arrives. Access, unloading space, helpers, transport route, storage area and responsibilities should be clearly arranged in advance. The following steps help you prepare delivery day in a controlled way without unnecessarily mixing receipt, unloading and installation. Further information on ordering is available under How to order and in the Shopping & delivery section.

Delivery planning at a glance

Five elements must work together for an organised delivery: the vehicle must reach the agreed handover point, unloading must be safe there, enough suitable people and equipment must be available, every package must be checked, and protected storage must be ready afterwards.

When	Task	Aim
Before ordering	Assess access, product route and installation site	Avoid unsolvable transport problems
After ordering	Set out unloading and storage areas	Plan a clear material flow
Before delivery day	Arrange helpers, equipment and availability	Avoid delays on arrival
On arrival	Guide the vehicle and secure the unloading area	Enable a controlled handover
After unloading	Count, inspect, photograph and store packages	Document the delivery condition clearly

The delivery terms communicated for your order always apply. Questions about a specific order should be clarified through Contact before delivery day.

1. Check access before ordering

Assess access from the perspective of a delivery vehicle, not a car. A driveway may be easy for a car to use but unsuitable for delivery because of tight bends, parked vehicles, low branches, roof overhangs, weight restrictions or no turning space.

Follow the full route from the public road to the intended handover point. Include turning radii, gate widths, gradients, ground strength and overhead obstacles. Also check whether the vehicle can leave forwards after unloading or would need to turn around. A cul-de-sac, narrow private road or nearby building work can significantly change the plan.

Property-access checklist

• Is the address easy to find and the house number visible?
• Can the access route be used without touching gateposts, walls, hedges or roof edges?
• Have branches, cables, lights and other overhead obstacles been considered?
• Is the ground sufficiently firm and level for the expected weather?
• Are there access, weight, height or time restrictions?
• Do parked vehicles, bins or building materials block manoeuvring space?
• Can the vehicle stop safely without obstructing traffic or creating a hazard?
• Can the driver be guided without people entering the manoeuvring area?

If unloading could affect public road space, ask the relevant local authority in advance what traffic-management arrangements apply at that location. Treat delivery access and the structure's planning status as separate questions; start with the guide Planning permission for a greenhouse or pergola in Malta.

2. Define unloading and staging areas

The unloading area and installation area are not automatically the same. The first must be accessible for handover, load-bearing and clear of obstacles. The second should hold packages so they can be counted, checked and later moved onwards in a sensible order.

Plan a direct material flow: vehicle, unloading zone, inspection zone, temporary storage and installation site. Avoid routes over steps, loose gravel, narrow garden gates or newly planted beds where possible. Long packages need considerably more clearance when turning than their width alone suggests.

The ground should be clean, level and dry. Do not place packaging directly in mud, puddles or on sharp stones. Use suitable stable supports without point-supporting packages in a way that could distort them. Traffic and escape routes must remain clear.

Consider the product type. With an Elma S outdoor sauna, a HC150 barrel sauna or a larger HCF 300 barrel sauna the packaging arrangement and handling may differ from a greenhouse. Always check order-specific information and do not derive space requirements from product images alone.

3. Coordinate people, equipment and responsibilities

The person receiving delivery must know the order, be able to make decisions and remain reachable during the expected period. Arrange enough suitable helpers for the work actually required. Do not assume neighbours will be available at short notice or that the driver will carry materials to the final installation location.

Equipment must suit the packaging, weight, ground and route. Use only equipment intended for the task and operated safely by competent people. Improvised levers, unstable trolleys or unsuitable garden tools increase the risk of injury and damage. Specific requirements arise from the order and agreed delivery method.

Assign these roles for delivery day

• Contact person: communicates with the driver or carrier and keeps order documents ready.
• Vehicle guide: observes the access and manoeuvring area from a safe position.
• Unloading coordinator: decides where each package is placed.
• Inspector: counts packages, checks labels and records any issues.
• Route supervisor: keeps children, pets and uninvolved people out of the work area.

One person may cover several roles provided the tasks can still be handled safely at the same time. For questions about trade or commercial processes, the Trade section is also available.

4. Prepare in the days before arrival

1. Check delivery information: Compare the address, telephone number, delivery contents and all instructions received.
2. Clear access: Remove vehicles, trailers, bicycles, bins and loose items.
3. Monitor weather: Rain, heat, strong winds or waterlogged ground can affect access and handling.
4. Mark areas: Decide where each package should be placed.
5. Prepare documentation: Keep a phone or camera, something for notes and order documents ready.
6. Clear temporary storage: Create a dry, clean area protected from unauthorised access.
7. Review installation documents: This helps identify early whether components should be stored separately or in a certain sequence.

Also check the installation site independently of delivery day. For pergolas, the Pergola size guide helps with space planning; for the base, see the Pergola foundation guide . Preparing a foundation and accepting delivery are separate tasks, but they need to be coordinated in time.

5. Follow a controlled arrival process

When the vehicle arrives, unloading should not begin immediately. Meet the driver at the agreed point, confirm the delivery address and discuss where to stop and unload. Point out visible obstacles, soft ground, narrow sections or areas that cannot bear the load.

During manoeuvring, nobody should stand behind the vehicle, between the vehicle and a building, or in other poorly visible locations. Children and pets must remain completely outside the zone. Only one person should give clear directions; several helpers calling at once create misunderstandings.

Before starting, check whether circumstances have changed from your plan. A parked car, a neighbour's van, high winds or wet grass may require a different decision. Safety and avoiding damage take priority over unloading as quickly as possible.

6. Unload without losing control of packages

Set packages down in an orderly way and keep labels visible where possible. Do not stack arbitrarily or place delicate units, or units marked for different storage, on an unsuitable edge. Follow packaging instructions.

Count while unloading. A simple running list prevents packages being counted twice or overlooked in separate places. Small fittings or accessory cartons should not disappear beneath long profile packs. Separate items by build stages only if identification remains clear.

Do not open or alter packaging in the active unloading area. At this stage, the priority is safe handover, quantity and externally visible condition. Carry out a detailed contents check afterwards in a suitable place using the available documents.

Pause unloading in these situations

• People enter the danger area without control.
• The vehicle or equipment is visibly unstable.
• The ground gives way, becomes slippery or is not sufficiently load-bearing.
• A package could tip, bend or slip from its restraint.
• Visibility between driver, vehicle guide and helpers is not assured.
• Strong wind or rain makes handling long or flat components unsafe.
• The intended procedure differs substantially from the known delivery terms.

Do not improvise a quick fix in this situation. Secure the area, agree the next steps and contact Bloomcabin if deviations remain unclear.

7. Inspect and document the delivery

After unloading, compare the number of received packages with the available delivery documents. Inspect each unit all around for punctures, severe crushing, cracks, moisture, open fastenings or unusual distortion. Check the underside too, where possible without unsafe lifting.

First photograph the overall condition, then each issue from several angles. An overview image shows the package position; close-ups record the precise area. Where available, the label or package number should also be legible. Do not dispose of damaged packaging before the matter has been clarified.

Record visible issues at acceptance using the stated procedure. Do not sign without checking; read what you are confirming. A damaged carton does not automatically mean a component is damaged, but a small external pressure mark must not be ignored. Information on applicable terms is available in the Guarantee section.

8. Store components correctly after acceptance

Original packaging protects only within its intended function. It does not replace suitable long-term storage. Store the delivery dry, stable, clean and protected against wind, tipping, theft and accidental access. Avoid direct ground contact, standing water and uncontrolled moisture.

Support long components so harmful bending or point loading cannot occur. Do not place heavy packages on delicate glazing, panel or surface elements. Observe orientation marks on the packaging and keep fittings and small connecting parts together.

If outdoor storage appears unavoidable, check in advance whether it is permitted for the specific delivery and under what conditions. A loose cover can trap moisture, rub surfaces or come free in wind. Repacking without authorisation also makes identification harder. The guide Caring for your aluminium greenhouse contains advice for later use and surface care.

9. Move from delivery to installation in the right order

Complete unloading is not yet authorisation to begin installation. First finish the acceptance check. Then organise packages using their labels and read the installation documents fully. Check that the foundation, anchoring points, tools, protective equipment and any necessary specialist work are ready.

Do not open every package at once. Small parts can become mixed up, surfaces can be damaged and identification can be lost. Follow the intended construction sequence and retain labels until all parts are identified beyond doubt.

For greenhouse projects, the Greenhouses and conservatories and Useful information sections provide further guidance. For deliveries to Malta and its islands, always follow the order-specific delivery process; see the guidance on buying a greenhouse with delivery to Malta.

10. Avoid common delivery-day mistakes

• Measure only the product footprint: Unloading and onward transport need additional movement and turning space.
• Plan for the driver as an installation helper: Services may only be expected according to the agreed delivery method.
• Unload on grass without checking ground strength: Moisture can make previously firm ground unusable.
• Open all packaging immediately: This increases the risk of mix-ups, loss and damage.
• Sign for packages unchecked: Visible issues should be recorded at handover.
• Start installation under time pressure: Missing parts, unexplained damage or an unfinished foundation must be dealt with first.
• Dispose of packaging too early: Labels and protective materials may still be needed.
• Confuse access with planning permission: Possible delivery does not establish whether the project is permitted at the site.

Product choice also affects logistics. Compare, for example, bioclimatic and classic pergolas or wall-mounted and freestanding pergolas before finalising access and the installation sequence. With saunas, do not assess models such as the Elma L outdoor sauna, the HC 225 barrel sauna and the HCF 225 barrel sauna from their external form alone. The specific order and delivery information always applies.

Prepare the greenhouse for use after installation

After installation, cleaning, function checks, furnishing and garden preparation follow. Remove packaging remains and check that doors, ventilation elements and other moving components work in accordance with the documents. Only then should paths, planting tables, irrigation or growing areas be set up.

For a first introduction, see the Beginner's guide to greenhouse gardening. Climate and crop management are explained in the guide to greenhouse temperature and humidity . The spring guide to cleaning and planting preparation helps with seasonal setup.

For material planning, the article on polycarbonate, multiwall sheets and insulation performance can explain the connections. Those planning a more prestigious structure can also find advice in the Orangery greenhouse guide. For growing ideas, see the guide to peppers and chillies in the greenhouse.

Frequently asked questions

Must I be present for delivery?

The delivery terms specific to your order apply. Regardless, an authorised and reachable person should be on site to provide access, identify the unloading point, inspect the delivery and give any required confirmations. Do not use an uninformed representative.

Will the driver carry packages to the greenhouse site?

This must not be assumed without an explicit agreement. The handover point and service scope depend on the confirmed delivery method. Plan transport within the property yourself with suitable people and equipment.

How much space do I need for unloading?

The requirement depends on the vehicle, packaging units, unloading method and local situation. At minimum, allow a safe vehicle position, working space beside or behind the vehicle, and set-down and transport areas. Establish the exact requirement from your delivery information.

Can delivery take place on grass or an unpaved driveway?

Only if the ground suits the vehicle, unloading method and current weather, and the delivery terms allow it. Grass that appears dry on the surface may be soft underneath. Assessment must take place on site; if in doubt, provide a hard-surfaced handover point.

What should I do if a package looks damaged?

Stop unsafe handling, photograph the package, label and damaged area, and record the issue using the stated acceptance procedure. Keep the packaging and contents, then report the matter with clear, traceable details.

Should I open every package while the driver waits?

As a rule, quantity and external condition are checked first. Open packaging only where the specific procedure requires or agrees this. Complete contents inspection should be organised and carried out using the documentation.

Can I store greenhouse packages outdoors?

Avoid unprotected outdoor storage. Whether short-term storage is possible under certain conditions depends on the packaging and contents. As a rule, provide dry, stable, ventilated and secure storage, and follow product-specific instructions.

Can installation begin directly after unloading?

Only after inspection is complete, packages are clearly identified and the installation site has been checked. The foundation, tools, helpers and safety measures must be ready. Do not rush into installation if damage, shortages or unsuitable weather remain unresolved.

Where can I find more information about Bloomcabin greenhouses?

An overview is available in the Greenhouses and conservatories, About us and Bloomcabin blog sections. You can also view other customers' experiences under Greenhouse reviews .

Final goods-receipt checklist

• Delivery address, contact details and delivery notes checked
• Access, height, bends and manoeuvring space checked
• Locally required arrangements clarified in good time
• Unloading, inspection and storage areas cleared
• Suitable helpers and equipment arranged
• Children, pets and uninvolved people kept away
• Packages counted continuously during unloading
• Packaging checked for visible issues
• Overall condition, labels and damage photographed
• Issues recorded using the stated procedure
• Components stored dry, stable and in order
• Installation started only after checks and preparation

Well-planned goods receipt protects people, materials and the project schedule. The more clearly access, the handover point and responsibilities are defined beforehand, the lower the risk of having to improvise under pressure on delivery day.