Plan your transport
Make sure that someone with keys, access rights and decision-making authority is on site at the requested time. Check with facility management whether lifts, gates, alarm systems and lighting can be used outside business hours and whether quiet hours or noise rules apply, for example in residential areas. Out-of-hours handovers can affect the effort and therefore the price; so say how fixed the time is and whether an early weekday morning would be an alternative.
Typical reasons for out-of-hours slots
Shop fitting before opening, a server move in the maintenance window, exchanging exhibits in a museum or showroom outside visiting hours, early-morning delivery in pedestrian zones. In all these cases it helps to state the reason; we can then judge how fixed the time is and what alternatives exist.
Alarm systems and security staff
Outside business hours, buildings are often alarmed or guarded by security staff. Inform them in advance about time, vehicle and people. That way delivery is not interrupted and nobody has to obtain approvals by phone at night.
What matters
- Ensure keys and access rights for the out-of-hours slot
- Check use of lifts, gates and alarm system
- Ask about building rules on quiet hours and noise