Shipping Methods

FedEx (Small Parcel) - Home Delivery, FedEx Freight - Priority Freight, FedEx Freight - Economy Freight, Local Terminal Pickup vs Residential Curbside Delivery - What are my delivery options?

If you've estimated your shipping total from the "View Cart" page of your shopping cart or had a total calculated during your checkout process, you may have some questions about the different options offered to you. Here's a quick explanation of the different shipping methods and, as always, if you have unanswered questions, please Contact Us and we'll be happy to answer all your questions.

At Stair-Treads.com, we ship orders primarily through FedEx Freight. These freight carriers are very reliable and are backed by the strength and technological innovation of FedEx - a company you may associate with small package delivery. There is one primary difference between Fedex Freight and the FedEx small parcel - Fedex Freight transports heavy or larger loads and pallets

FedEx Freight - Small Parcel typically delivers lighter shipments (<150 lbs) more economically than freight shipments. Small Parcel shipments will deliver directly to your home and will not require a signature (shipments are typically left at the front door). Most single staircase orders can ship with this method. The maximum length that can be shipped Small Parcel is 94". While our boxes are padded to withstand ground shipping, some of the more fragile items such as single and double return treads would benefit from shipping freight since the packages aren't handled individually.

FedEx Freight - Priority typically delivers 1-2 days faster than Economy Freight via a more direct route. They typically offer a slightly shorter transit time and better rates if you are near us (we're located in just north of Charleston, South Carolina). The Southeastern US and much of the East Cost will see shorter transit times and lower freight rates with orders shipped by FedEx Freight - Priority.

FedEx Freight - Economy operates long-haul operations and is tailored to freight that needs to travel a longer distance, such as the Midwest and West Coast of the United States. If you live in California, Washington, Oregon, or the Southwestern US, you will typically see lower delivery rates and shorter transit times because of the way the freight moves through the terminals.

Residential Curbside Delivery includes delivery to the closest point that a full-sized tractor-trailer can deliver to your home. With this shipping method, once your order arrives at the local terminal, the freight company will call you to schedule a delivery appointment. The carrier will then deliver your order once the appointment is set. Someone will need to be present at the delivery time to unload the boxes from the truck and sign for the material.

What is included in Curbside Delivery? Our Residential Curbside Delivery includes curbside delivery to your home or business address. This means the truck will get as close as possible to your driveway and will bring the freight to the back of the truck. The driver is not responsible for unloading and are prohibited from assisting in the process other than removing banding and shrink wrap from the skids. If you live on a non-public road, in deep woods, have low power lines, or a gravel driveway, please call us to discuss your delivery location so we can communicate these challenges to the trucking company in advance.

With Local Terminal Pickup, we ship your order to the local freight terminal instead of your home. The freight company will call you once your order arrives and is available for pickup. An average order will easily fit into a pickup truck, a mini-van with folding seats, a SUV, or some larger cars. If you select this method for your order, you will need to enter the local freight terminal's address in the "Shipping Information" section during checkout. To find a local freight terminal near you, contact us. Many people prefer this method because the costs are typically less and it may be more convenient to pick up your order than to wait for the freight company to deliver your new stair treads. Be aware that with dock pickups, the freight company will only typically hold your order for 1-3 days after arrival. If the shipment is not picked up in this window, they will return it to us, and additional shipping charges will be assessed.