Getting Ready for Delivery Day

You ordered your building, the delivery date is set, and now you're wondering what you need to do on your end. Good news: it's not complicated. But there are a few things that'll make the difference between a smooth 30-minute setup and a headache.

Clear the Path

The delivery truck needs a straight, clear path from the street to your building's final spot. Old Hickory uses a specialized delivery truck called a "mule" that backs the building into place, and it needs:

• At least 3 feet of clearance on each side of the building
• No low-hanging branches — the truck and building together sit pretty tall
• Firm ground — if it's been raining and your yard is soft, call me and we might need to reschedule. Ruts in your yard aren't fun for anyone.

Walk the path yourself and look for anything the truck would clip: mailboxes, fence posts, landscaping, basketball hoops. Easier to move them now than figure it out with a 16-foot building on a trailer.

Level Your Spot

The building needs to sit on level ground. Perfectly level? No — Old Hickory buildings can handle a few inches of grade. But if you've got a significant slope, you'll need to address it.

Options for leveling:

• Gravel pad — The best foundation for most situations. A 4-inch bed of crushed limestone, extending 2 feet past the building on each side. This is what I recommend for anything 10×16 or larger.
• Concrete blocks — We can set the building on blocks at delivery. Works fine for smaller buildings on mostly-level ground.
• Concrete slab — Overkill for most sheds, but ideal if you're building a garage or workshop where you want a hard floor.

If you're unsure, send me a photo of your spot and I'll tell you what makes sense.

Check Your Local Rules

Most of Middle Tennessee doesn't require permits for buildings under 200 square feet (that's roughly a 10×20). But it depends on your county and your HOA, if you have one.

Quick rule of thumb:

• Under 200 sq ft, most areas = no permit needed
• Over 200 sq ft = check with your county building department
• Have an HOA? = check with them regardless of size

I can't give you legal advice on permits, but I can tell you what other customers in your area have dealt with. Just ask.

Day-Of Checklist

On delivery morning:

1. Be home (or have someone there who can point out the exact spot)
2. Mark the spot with stakes or spray paint — "over there somewhere" leads to do-overs
3. Keep kids and pets inside during delivery
4. Have your phone handy — the driver may call if they can't find the house or have questions about the approach

The whole process usually takes 15–30 minutes once the truck is in position. It's actually pretty cool to watch.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

Rain, mud, tree branches we didn't see — it happens. If the driver determines they can't safely make the delivery, we'll reschedule at no charge. Better to wait a day than damage your yard or the building.

Questions about your specific situation? Call me or send a message — I've done this enough times to have seen just about everything.