Check delivery access before committing to manufacture. Use the actual home, loaded vehicle and installation method, not a generic road width or product photograph. This checklist helps gather the brief; the transport and installation teams must confirm feasibility.
Confirm the transport format
Ask whether the product travels as a completed module, several modules, folded transport format or another agreed system. YourHome's construction-systems guidance highlights transport width, distance and site access. Not every product can be divided into smaller sections.
Obtain the loaded dimensions, mass and unloading requirements. The installed footprint or a vehicle's legal dimension limit does not establish the clearance needed along this route.
Road route and property entrance
- 01Route: have the carrier check roads, bridges, restrictions and the current movement conditions.
- 02Gate: provide the opening width, entry angle and nearby fences or structures.
- 03Structures: identify culverts, cattle grids and crossovers that need a load-capacity assessment.
- 04Permissions: confirm any road occupation, traffic management or third-party works with the responsible authority.
NHVR's permit guidance distinguishes general access, notices and permits. The carrier must establish the applicable route and conditions. WA and Northern Territory arrangements need checking with their own road authorities; see the transport-feasibility guide.
Driveway, turning and ground conditions
Send plans and photos of bends, gradients, final approach and known wet or soft areas. Ask the team to assess loaded movement, turning space and ground support. Do not assume dry weather alone resolves inadequate bearing capacity or that every difficult site has an affordable access solution.
Any gateway widening, culvert work or vegetation removal needs a confirmed scope and required permissions before work starts.
Overhead lines and lifting
Identify known hazards from a safe location. Do not approach live lines to measure them or undertake nearby trimming yourself. SafeWork NSW's power-line guidance directs the responsible parties to risk assessment and electricity-authority requirements. Confirm the local rules for the actual work.
If lifting is proposed, ask the lifting team to confirm the load, reach, setup, ground support and lifting points. Safe Work Australia's crane guide addresses these site and equipment considerations. The site being flat or sloped does not, by itself, choose the installation method.
Foundations, services and handover of the site
Confirm that the foundations, levels, set-out and connection positions match the approved design and selected home. Ask the responsible project professionals to identify inspections and readiness evidence required before placement. Do not treat a cleared area as an accepted building pad.
Record who is responsible for access works, foundations, utility coordination, unloading, connections and reinstatement. Keep them separate from factory supply when comparing prices.
Recheck before dispatch
- Step 01Agree the delivery and installation plan before manufacture is committed.
- Step 02Complete necessary permissions and access works on the team's required programme.
- Step 03Confirm foundation and service readiness with the responsible professionals.
- Step 04Recheck route restrictions, site condition, weather and utilities before dispatch.
- Step 05Record a go/no-go contact and arrangements if conditions change.
There is no universal two-week deadline that guarantees approvals or site readiness. Use dates agreed with the carrier, installer and relevant authorities. A revised route, product or site condition may require another assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What access does a modular home delivery need?
The route and site must suit the actual loaded vehicle and installation plan. Confirm turning space, structures, ground support, overhead hazards, permissions and the final placement area with the transport and installation teams.
Can a modular home be delivered to a site with difficult access?
Possibly, after professional assessment. Smaller loads, another design or access works may be considered where compatible and permitted. Do not assume a finished module can be split or that every constraint can be resolved.
Do I need a crane to install a modular home?
Not necessarily. The suitable method depends on the selected building system, placement, access, ground conditions and lifting or unloading design. Have the supplier and installation team confirm the method and scope.
Can I trim trees or move overhead lines before delivery?
Do not move electrical lines or carry out nearby trimming yourself. Ask the electricity network and competent professionals to arrange any necessary work. Vegetation removal and access works may also require permission.
When should I check delivery access for a modular home?
Begin before final design and manufacture, then recheck on the programme agreed with the delivery team and before dispatch. Resolve permits, utilities and site works early; a fixed two-week check is not sufficient for every project.
Before you proceed
Start a Planning Assessment to organise the access questions alongside your site preparation. Final transport and installation acceptance remains with the appointed professionals, not this checklist.
General information only, not engineering, transport or safety advice. Confirm the current requirements for the actual route, site and product.
Last updated: 17 October 2026.
Sources and further reading
Requirements change and can be applied differently by site and local authority. Check the current official sources and confirm your project with the relevant council, certifier or qualified professional.