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Coverage Area
Serving the Entire Gulf South Region
Houston Lumber operates a dedicated fleet of flatbed trucks and box trucks out of our yard at 121 Esplanade Blvd, Houston, TX 77060. Our primary service area covers five Gulf South states: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Within this region, we handle both pickup from sellers and delivery to buyers — often combining routes on the same trip, which keeps transportation costs down for everyone involved.
For jobs outside our direct service area, we coordinate with trusted freight carriers to arrange nationwide shipping. We handle all the logistics — loading, securing, documentation, and carrier selection — so you receive your lumber on time and in the same condition it left our yard. Whether your project is in downtown Dallas or a remote ranch outside Amarillo, we have a transportation solution that works.
Lumber is heavy, awkward, and easy to damage in transit if handled incorrectly. Our drivers understand how to load, strap, and transport reclaimed wood without splitting boards, scuffing surfaces, or crushing edges. Every load is secured with softened ratchet straps and corner protectors, and we verify the count before departure and upon arrival so there are no disputes about quantity or condition.
We also photograph every load before it leaves our yard. This documentation protects both parties and gives you a visual record of exactly what was shipped. For high-value orders, we can arrange insured freight and provide certificates of insurance upon request.
Step by Step
How Transportation Works
From your first call to the moment material arrives at your site, here is every step of our transportation process.
Request a Quote
Contact us with your pickup and delivery locations, estimated board footage or weight, material type, and preferred timeline. We can usually provide a transportation quote within a few hours.
Route Planning & Scheduling
Our logistics coordinator plans the optimal route, selects the right vehicle (flatbed or box truck), and schedules the pickup and delivery windows. We coordinate directly with your site contact to ensure smooth access at both ends.
Vehicle Assignment
We assign the appropriate truck based on load size, material type, and delivery conditions. Flatbeds handle oversized and heavy loads; box trucks protect finished material from weather. For extra-large orders, we may schedule multiple trucks on the same route.
Loading & Securing
Our team loads the material using forklifts with softened forks to prevent damage. Every load is secured with ratchet straps, corner protectors, and edge guards. We use stickers between layers to prevent surface scuffing. Load count and condition are documented with photographs.
Packing List & BOL Generation
A detailed packing list is created documenting species, dimensions, board count, and total board footage. A Bill of Lading (BOL) is generated for the shipment with pickup and delivery addresses, carrier details, and load contents.
Transit & Tracking
Your load is in transit. For Gulf South deliveries, most shipments are completed within 1-5 business days depending on distance. We provide delivery ETAs and can update you on load status during transit.
Delivery & Unloading
Our driver arrives at your site on schedule. For sites with forklift access, we unload onto your dock or staging area. For sites without equipment, we offer liftgate service. Material is placed in your preferred location on the property.
Delivery Confirmation & Documentation
The driver photographs the delivered material in its final location. You sign the delivery receipt confirming the count and condition. A copy of all documentation — BOL, packing list, delivery photos — is emailed to you for your records.
Fleet
Fleet & Equipment Capabilities
Flatbed Trucks
Our flatbed trucks handle oversized loads — long timbers, wide beams, and large-volume orders that will not fit inside an enclosed truck. Flatbeds are ideal for job-site deliveries where a forklift or crane can unload from the side or top. We run 48-foot flatbeds that can carry up to 45,000 pounds per load, and our drivers are experienced at navigating tight commercial construction sites and narrow residential streets alike.
Box Trucks
For smaller orders, finished lumber, or deliveries where weather protection matters, our enclosed box trucks keep your material clean and dry in transit. Box trucks are the right choice for urban deliveries where maneuvering a full-size flatbed is impractical, and for finished or planed lumber that needs protection from road debris and rain. Capacity ranges from 5,000 to 15,000 board feet depending on dimensions.
Pickup Services for Sellers
If you have reclaimed lumber to sell, we will come to you. Our team assesses the material on-site, provides a fair offer based on species, grade, and volume, and loads it onto our trucks the same day in most cases. We pick up from demolition sites, warehouses, barns, construction projects, and private properties anywhere in the Gulf South. This service is free when we are purchasing your material.
Delivery Logistics
We coordinate delivery timing with your project schedule down to the hour. For commercial jobs, we work with your site superintendent to arrange drop-off windows that do not disrupt active work. For residential projects, we schedule deliveries at your convenience and can stack lumber in your preferred location on the property. Liftgate service is available for sites without forklift access.
Fleet Specifications
| Vehicle Type | Bed Length | Max Weight | BF Capacity (est.) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48-ft Flatbed | 48 ft | 45,000 lbs | 15,000-25,000 BF | Timbers, beams, bulk loads |
| 26-ft Box Truck | 26 ft | 16,000 lbs | 5,000-10,000 BF | Finished lumber, urban delivery |
| 16-ft Box Truck | 16 ft | 8,000 lbs | 2,000-5,000 BF | Small orders, tight access |
| Pickup + Trailer | 20 ft | 10,000 lbs | 1,000-4,000 BF | Local pickups, salvage runs |
Pricing
How Transportation Pricing Works
Transportation is priced based on distance, load size, and vehicle type. Here is a transparent breakdown of how we structure delivery costs.
Full Truckload (FTL)
Flat Rate Per Route
FTL shipments are priced as a flat rate based on the origin-to-destination route. This is the most cost-effective option for orders over 10,000 BF. You get the entire truck — no stops, no co-loading. FTL pricing within the Gulf South typically ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on distance.
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)
Per Board Foot + Distance
LTL shipments combine your order with other loads heading in the same direction. Pricing is calculated per board foot with a distance multiplier. LTL is ideal for orders between 500 and 10,000 BF. Transit times are slightly longer but cost per board foot is significantly lower than booking a dedicated truck.
Local Houston Delivery
Flat Delivery Fee
Deliveries within the greater Houston metro area (within 50 miles of our yard) carry a flat delivery fee regardless of load size. This covers truck, driver, and unloading time. Liftgate service adds a small surcharge if needed.
Nationwide Freight
Carrier Quote + Coordination Fee
For shipments outside the Gulf South, we obtain quotes from our network of vetted freight carriers and add a coordination fee that covers loading supervision, documentation, and load monitoring. We pass the carrier rate through at cost — no markup on freight charges.
Free Pickup for Sellers
When Houston Lumber is purchasing your reclaimed lumber, pickup is free within the Gulf South. We send our truck to your location, our team assesses and loads the material, and we transport it to our facility at no cost to you. This applies to demolition sites, barns, warehouses, and any other location where salvageable lumber is available.
Shipping
Bulk & LTL Shipping
We offer two primary shipping modes depending on your order size and timeline. Full truckload (FTL) shipping is the most cost-effective option for orders over 10,000 board feet — you get the entire truck, and we schedule a direct route from our yard to your site with no intermediate stops. FTL deliveries within Texas are typically completed in one to two days; out-of-state FTL shipments take two to four business days.
For smaller orders, less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping lets us combine your shipment with other orders heading in the same direction. LTL is ideal for orders between 500 and 10,000 board feet. Transit times are slightly longer — typically 3 to 7 business days within the Gulf South — but the per-board-foot cost is significantly lower than booking a dedicated truck.
We also work with common carriers and freight brokers for shipments outside our direct service area. If your project is in the Midwest, Northeast, or West Coast, we arrange pickup from our yard and delivery to your site through our network of vetted carriers. All shipments include full documentation, BOL, and photographic records of load condition at departure.
Transit Times
Primary Coverage
Texas (local)
Same-day and next-day service within the Houston metro area
Texas (statewide)
Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi — 1 to 3 business days
Louisiana
New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette — 1 to 3 business days
Mississippi
Jackson, Hattiesburg, Gulf Coast — 2 to 4 business days
Alabama
Mobile, Birmingham, Montgomery — 2 to 4 business days
Florida
Panhandle and North Florida — 3 to 5 business days
Nationwide
Freight carrier coordination — 5 to 10 business days
Timelines
Delivery Turnaround by Destination
| Destination | FTL (Full Truckload) | LTL (Partial Load) | Freight Carrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Metro (< 50 mi) | Same day / Next day | 1-2 business days | N/A |
| Texas (statewide) | 1-2 business days | 2-4 business days | 3-5 business days |
| Louisiana | 1-2 business days | 2-5 business days | 3-6 business days |
| Mississippi | 1-3 business days | 3-5 business days | 4-7 business days |
| Alabama | 2-3 business days | 3-6 business days | 4-7 business days |
| Florida Panhandle | 2-4 business days | 4-7 business days | 5-8 business days |
| Southeast US | 3-5 business days | N/A | 5-8 business days |
| Nationwide | Contact us | N/A | 5-10 business days |
Transit times are estimates based on typical conditions. Weather, road conditions, and carrier availability may affect delivery schedules. Rush delivery is available — contact us for expedited pricing.
Coverage
Specific Cities & Regions Served
Our fleet delivers directly to these markets. For locations not listed, we coordinate freight carrier delivery to anywhere in the continental United States.
Greater Houston
Houston, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Pearland, Katy, Cypress, Spring, Conroe, Galveston, Texas City, League City, Baytown, Pasadena, Humble
North Texas
Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Frisco, McKinney, Denton, Waco, Tyler, Longview, Texarkana
Central & South Texas
San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Corpus Christi, Victoria, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Laredo, McAllen
East Texas / Louisiana Border
Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Lake Charles (LA), Sulphur (LA)
Louisiana
New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Houma, Thibodaux, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington
Mississippi & Alabama
Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Vicksburg, Natchez, Mobile, Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Dothan, Auburn, Fairhope
Our Clients
Who Uses Our Transportation Services
Buyers Getting Delivery
Contractors, builders, and homeowners who purchase reclaimed lumber from us and need it delivered directly to their job site or property.
Sellers with Lumber to Move
Property owners, demolition contractors, and salvage operators who have reclaimed lumber to sell and need pickup from their location.
Processing Customers
Clients who bring material to our facility for processing and need the finished product delivered back to their site when complete.
Lumber Resellers
Reclaimed lumber dealers who purchase in bulk from our inventory and need regular delivery to their retail locations or warehouses.
Commercial Construction
General contractors on restaurant, hotel, retail, and office build-outs who need materials delivered on a tight construction schedule.
Residential Remodelers
Renovation contractors working on kitchen, flooring, and accent wall projects who need smaller loads delivered to residential addresses.
Architects & Designers
Design professionals who need sample materials delivered to their studio or shipped to a client presentation.
Event & Film Production
Production companies and event planners who need large quantities of reclaimed wood delivered on tight deadlines to venues and studios.
Our Promise
Transportation Quality Guarantees
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Damage-Free Delivery
Every load is secured with softened ratchet straps, corner protectors, and edge guards. If material is damaged in transit due to our handling, we replace or repair the affected pieces at our expense.
- ✓
Accurate Load Count
Material is counted and photographed before departure. The packing list travels with the load. If the count at delivery does not match the packing list, we ship the balance at no additional freight cost.
- ✓
On-Time Arrival
We commit to the delivery window quoted in your transportation agreement. If we miss the scheduled window for reasons within our control, we discount the delivery fee.
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Photographic Documentation
Every load is photographed before departure and upon arrival. These photos serve as proof of condition and provide a visual record for both parties.
- ✓
Insurance Coverage
Our fleet carries commercial auto and cargo insurance. For high-value loads, we arrange additional coverage and provide certificates of insurance upon request.
Typical Scenarios
Before & After Scenarios
Before
Contractor acquires 8,000 BF of reclaimed heart pine from a warehouse demolition in Galveston but has no way to get it to their shop in San Antonio
After
Houston Lumber dispatches a flatbed to Galveston, loads and secures the material, and delivers it directly to the contractor's workshop in San Antonio within 2 business days
Before
Homeowner in The Woodlands orders 500 BF of planed reclaimed oak for a kitchen island project but lives on a narrow residential street with no forklift access
After
Our box truck with liftgate delivers the material curbside, and our driver hand-carries the banded bundles to the homeowner's garage as requested
Before
Architect in New York specifies 15,000 BF of reclaimed cypress for a hotel lobby and needs it shipped coast-to-coast
After
We coordinate with a vetted freight carrier, supervise loading at our yard, provide full documentation and load photos, and track the shipment until it arrives at the Manhattan job site 8 business days later
FAQ
Transportation — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order size for delivery?
Do you deliver on weekends or after hours?
Can you deliver to a residential address?
What happens if material is damaged during shipping?
Do you ship outside the Gulf South region?
How is lumber secured during transport?
Related Services
Transportation pairs with all of our other services. Process your lumber at our facility and we deliver it finished. Or let us pick up salvage material and bring it in for processing.