Transport feasibility needs a route and installation assessment for the actual home and vehicle. A gate measurement or generic clearance figure cannot confirm delivery. Gather information early, then have the responsible transport and installation professionals assess it before manufacture.
Start with the actual transport configuration
Request the loaded vehicle's overall dimensions, mass and relevant load information from the supplier and carrier. The home's installed dimensions are not the same as its transport envelope. Include projections, packaging and the selected trailer arrangement in the assessment.
Do not use a model's marketing size as a road-access limit. A smaller module may change the route options, but it does not establish approval or suitability.
Road access: notices, permits and conditions
NHVR's oversize/overmass guidance distinguishes access under a suitable notice from travel requiring a permit. The actual vehicle, load, route and operating conditions matter. Being oversize does not mean every journey uses the same permit or escort arrangement.
Have the carrier check the current access instrument, network, road-manager and third-party requirements. Pilot or escort conditions are not a universal width-only rule. For WA and the Northern Territory, applications go to the relevant state or territory authority rather than NHVR Go.
A public-road permission does not establish that the vehicle can enter the property or that a crane can set up there. Record the transition from road to site in the delivery plan.
Overhead hazards are not a DIY clearance exercise
Flag known lines and obstructions from a safe location. Do not approach electrical lines with a tape, pole or other equipment, move them, or trim nearby vegetation yourself.
SafeWork NSW's power-line guidance requires risks and electricity-supply-authority conditions to be addressed. Applicable approach distances depend on the work and electrical circumstances; a national four-metre rule is not a safe substitute for the relevant requirements.
Ask the responsible team and electricity network to determine the safe method, including any isolation or other controls. Vehicle transit and crane operation are different activities. Obtain an actual scope, price and lead time for any network work rather than a generic allowance.
Turning geometry and ground support
Record gates, entry angles, bends, gradients, bridges, culverts and known soft areas. Photos and plans help the carrier assess the route; an accessible driveway for a car is not evidence of suitability for the loaded combination.
For lifting, Safe Work Australia's crane guide addresses ground support, load and operating conditions. Ask the competent lifting team to assess the setup and required support. Dry-looking ground is not proof of bearing capacity.
Choose an installation method for the product
Confirm whether the selected home supports the proposed lifting, jacking, unloading or assembly method. Do not infer a crane requirement from slope alone or assume truck-and-jacking delivery is available for every flat site.
Request confirmation of lifting points, module weights, placement position and foundation readiness. Sectional delivery is only an option if compatible with the design and agreed supply scope; it is not a way to split any finished module.
Prepare information without assuming sign-off
- Step 01Send the address, site plan, intended building position and known route constraints.
- Step 02Photograph gates, corners and standing areas from safe, accessible locations.
- Step 03Ask the carrier to confirm loaded dimensions, route permissions and movement conditions.
- Step 04Have the installation team assess access, lifting or unloading and ground support.
- Step 05Confirm permissions for any vegetation, crossover, road occupation or utility work.
- Step 06Agree responsibilities, costs, weather contingencies and a pre-delivery recheck in writing.
The delivery checklist helps track these tasks. The appointed parties must agree who assesses public-road and private-site access; do not assume the customer alone is responsible for the driveway assessment. Pricing and availability of professional assessments should also be confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
How wide does an access road need to be for modular home delivery?
There is no universal road or gate width. The carrier must assess the actual loaded vehicle, turning geometry, obstacles and applicable access conditions. A model width alone cannot confirm the route.
What clearance is needed around power lines?
Use the requirements applicable to the location, voltage, work and equipment, confirmed by the responsible team and electricity network. Do not use a generic national four-metre rule or approach live lines to measure them.
How do I know whether my site needs a crane?
The supplier and installation team must confirm a suitable method for the product, placement, access and ground conditions. A slope or flat pad alone does not decide whether crane, jacking or another method is feasible.
Who is responsible for checking site access?
Agree the scope with the supplier, carrier and installation team in writing. Public-road permissions, private access, ground support and lifting need coordinated assessment. A customer walk-through is not professional transport or installation sign-off.
Can I assess my own site before talking to a supplier?
You can gather plans, photos and known constraints from safe locations. Do not approach power lines, enter unsafe ground or carry out clearing or structural work. Have the relevant professionals confirm feasibility and required permissions.
Before you proceed
Start a Planning Assessment to organise the site brief. It is not a road permit, lift plan or confirmation that the selected home can be delivered.
General information only, not engineering, transport or electrical-safety advice. Confirm the current requirements and delivery plan with qualified project professionals and the relevant authorities.
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.