Freight Delivery 101: What Curbside Delivery Really Means
How your sauna actually arrives, what to expect on delivery day, and exactly how to inspect it before you sign.
A home sauna doesn't show up in a van with a knock at the door — it arrives by freight, on a pallet, on a truck built for cargo that weighs hundreds of pounds. If that's news to you, you're not alone, and it's exactly why delivery day catches some buyers off guard. Here's what actually happens, so nothing surprises you.
Every sauna we ship goes out with free shipping included, and it travels via LTL (less-than-truckload) freight rather than a small parcel carrier. That's normal for anything this large and heavy, and it changes what "delivery" looks like in a few important ways.
What "curbside delivery" actually means
Curbside delivery means the freight driver brings your crate or pallet to the end of your driveway, or the closest point a full-size truck can safely and legally reach, and lowers it to the ground with a liftgate and pallet jack. It does not mean the driver carries it into your garage, up a flight of stairs, or out to a backyard sauna spot. That last stretch — from curb to final location — is on you.
Because sauna packaging commonly weighs several hundred pounds, plan on at least two people and a furniture dolly or hand truck to move it. If you have a long driveway, stairs, or tight gates between the curb and where the sauna is going, think through that path before delivery day, not during it.
What the freight carrier does
- Calls ahead to schedule a delivery appointment window
- Drives a liftgate-equipped truck to your address
- Lowers the crate or pallet to the curb or driveway
- Waits while you inspect the packaging before you sign
What's on you
- Being present (or having someone present) for the appointment
- Having help and a dolly ready to move it past the curb
- Checking the address for truck access — driveway width, low branches
- Inspecting and noting any damage before signing the receipt
Scuffs on the crate are normal. Damage to the sauna, a softball-sized hole in the packaging, or visible damaged wood are not — refuse those. Everything else: sign, but write “DAMAGED” and what you can see before you do — carriers only accept that word.
The inspection you must do before signing
This is the step that matters most, and the one most people skip because they're excited to get their sauna inside. Before you sign the delivery receipt (sometimes called a bill of lading), walk around the crate or pallet.
First, know what's normal. Freight crates take a beating in transit — scuffs, scrapes, dust and torn shrink wrap are expected, and they are not damage. Your sauna is packed for exactly that, and it was fully assembled and tested at the factory before being taken apart for shipping. Cosmetic wear on the outside of the crate is not a reason to send it back.
What matters is damage to the sauna itself. If you can see a crushed corner, a puncture that has gone through to the panels, a cracked or split panel, a hole in the packaging the size of a softball or bigger, or any damaged wood, refuse the delivery and call us on (307) 201-4597. We arrange the replacement and handle the claim with the carrier. You do not have to accept a damaged unit.
Otherwise go ahead and sign — but if there is any mark at all on the crate, wrap or carton, write the word DAMAGED on the delivery receipt first, along with what you can see. Freight carriers only accept the word damaged; “subject to inspection” on its own does not keep your claim open. A receipt signed clear, with no note, is treated by the carrier as confirmation that everything arrived perfectly, and that makes a later claim very hard to file — which matters, because most damage only shows up once the crate is open.
Confirm access
Before delivery day, check that a full-size truck can reach your address and that the path from curb to final spot is clear.
Be present with help
Have at least one other person and a dolly or hand truck ready — sauna packaging is heavy and awkward for one person alone.
Inspect before signing
Walk the crate. Scuffs and torn wrap are normal — what you're looking for is damage to the sauna itself.
Note damage in writing
Sign, but write “DAMAGED” on the receipt with what you can see — carriers only accept that word. If the sauna itself is damaged, or there is a softball-sized hole or visible damaged wood, refuse the delivery instead and call us.
Report promptly
Contact us right away if you find any issue — freight carriers work on a short reporting window, so don't wait.
Keep the packaging
Hold onto all original packaging until any concern is fully resolved, since it may be needed for a claim.
| The freight carrier | You | |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | Calls ahead to book a delivery appointment window | Be there, or have someone there, for that window |
| The vehicle | Drives a liftgate-equipped truck to your address | Check truck access first — driveway width, low branches, gates |
| Off the truck | Lowers the crate or pallet to the curb or driveway | Move it past the curb — two people and a dolly, minimum |
| Inspection | Waits while you inspect the packaging before you sign | Inspect, and note any damage in writing before signing |
If you find damage after you've opened the crate
Sometimes damage isn't visible from the outside and only shows up once you unpack. If that happens, contact us as soon as you notice it. Freight carriers generally require damage to be reported within a short window after delivery — often within 24 to 48 hours — so it's worth inspecting soon after the crate is inside rather than letting it sit unopened for days. Keep all packaging materials until the issue is resolved.
Delivery-day checklist
- Confirm truck access to your address before the scheduled window.
- Have help ready — two people and a dolly, at minimum.
- Inspect before you sign — never sign a receipt as clear if you see visible damage.
- Photograph everything — packaging, damage, and the shipping label.
- Report fast — within the carrier's reporting window, typically 24–48 hours.
What happens after delivery: assembly
Once your sauna is inside, assembly for our panel-style models is a clasp-together process — no permanent fasteners or specialty tools — that most owners complete in about 60 to 90 minutes with two people. It's straightforward, but it's still real physical work with large panels, so plan for a helper and a bit of a workout rather than a five-minute setup.
The Iridescent Home Team
Authorized dealer for Dynamic, Maxxus & Golden Designs. Every sauna ships free via LTL freight with a 5-year manufacturer warranty. Questions about your delivery? Call (307) 201-4597.
Free shipping, every single order
From $1,499 — free freight delivery, 5-year warranty, and 0% APR financing from $125/month. Every model publishes its full specs up front.
Questions? (307) 201-4597 · 9am–5pm MT, every day
Freight delivery FAQ
What does "curbside delivery" mean for a sauna?
Do I need help to move my sauna from the curb?
What if my sauna arrives damaged?
How long do I have to report shipping damage?
Delivery details are general guidance based on standard LTL freight practice; specific carrier procedures, appointment windows, and claim deadlines can vary by shipment. Contact us at (307) 201-4597 with any delivery questions before or after your order arrives.