All you need to know about bulk orders

When it comes to purchasing fence panels in bulk, ordering by the container is one of the most cost-effective ways to secure large quantities. However, there are several factors to consider before making such an order. If you’re thinking about ordering 500 or more fence panels, here’s everything you need to know about the process and how it works.

What Is a Bulk Order for Fence Panels?

A bulk order for fence panels typically starts with a minimum requirement of 500 panels. This option is perfect for contractors, businesses that rent or resell construction fencing, or individuals with significant fencing needs—whether for large residential or commercial projects. Bulk orders offer a better price per panel, especially compared to purchasing panels from our warehouse stock.

Before you go ahead with a bulk order, there are a few key things to keep in mind, such as lead time, offloading logistics, and cost breakdowns.

Step 1: Understand Your Timeline

When do you need the panels?
This is the first question you’ll be asked when inquiring about a bulk order. The lead time for container shipments is typically between 8 to 12 weeks, depending on a few factors such as product requirements, shipping logistics, and customs clearance. If you need the fence panels sooner for a temporary fencing project or an urgent construction fencing need, you might be able to get them from stock, although the price per panel will be higher.

If you’re flexible with timing, ordering by the container can offer substantial cost savings since the price per panel in a bulk order is always better than purchasing from existing stock.

Step 2: Can You Handle the Offloading?

Do you have the facilities and staff to offload the container?
When you order fence panels by the container, you are responsible for offloading the panels once the container arrives at your site. The container will first arrive at a port, which one depends on the container’s final destination. From there it’s either picked up by a semi truck or loaded on a train and transported to the closest station to its final destination. Once the container is picked up and delivered to your site, you’ll have 48hrs to offload the container before we pick up the empty container.

NOTE: Depending on the location, we might need to coordinate a live offload, typically 5hrs.

This is an important consideration for temporary fencing and construction fencing projects. If you don’t have the means to offload the container or access to the necessary equipment or staff, additional charges may apply. Make sure you have the logistics in place before deciding on a container order.

Step 3: Choosing to Purchase the Container or Not. 

We offer two options for the container delivery for bulk orders of fence panels:

1. Returnable Container:
   Ideal for clients who don’t have the space or the need of a container to store the fence panels. Once the container is empty and all the product has been offloaded, we coordinate to return the container to the streamliner that owns the container. We have a limited amount of time from the moment we pick up the container and need to return it. If we take longer than the allowed time, we get charged with penalty fees. 
2. Purchase the Container:
   At the time of ordering the container, you can decide if you want to purchase it for storage or resale. We get our containers at a very good rate and we typically sell them at under market rate. This option removes the time limitation for offloading the fence panels from the container. However, you will need to coordinate the removal of the container from the semi truck chassis via a crane or specialized equipment. 

Panel Capacity per Container

The number of fence panels that fit into a container depends on the height of the panels. Here’s a breakdown for 40-foot High Cube container:

• 6ft high panels: Up to 650 panels.
• 4ft high panels: Up to 850 panels.
• 8ft high panels: Up to 460 panels.

Knowing the panel dimensions and how many you need will help determine how many panels we can fit in the container. This is especially useful for large-scale construction fencing projects or security fencing needs. Keep in mind that we can mix match sizes and type of fence panels depending on your requirements.

Fixed and Variable Costs

There are both fixed and variable costs when ordering fence panels by the container:

• Fixed costs: These are determined by the number of panels that fit into a container. For example, a 40-foot container will hold a fixed number of panels (650 of 6ft panels, 850 of 4ft panels, etc.).
• Variable costs: The biggest and most important variable is the shipping costs, which can fluctuate based on fuel prices, port fees, and the time of year. It’s important to note that the cost of shipping will affect the final price but don’t worry, the price per panel will always be better in a bulk order than in a stock one.

Why Order Fence Panels by the Container?

Ordering fence panels by the container is one of the best ways to save on materials for construction fencing, temporary fencing, and security fencing projects. Bulk orders are especially beneficial for:

• Contractors: If you’re managing a construction fencing project or need a lot of fence panels for commercial purposes, ordering by the container is a great way to reduce per-panel costs.
• Businesses: If you’re in the business of renting or reselling temporary fencing, buying in bulk lets you stock up on inventory at a lower price.
• Individuals with Large Projects: Whether you’re installing security fencing for a large estate, business, or construction site, ordering fence panels by the container is the most cost-effective option.
• Custom made orders: bulk orders will ensure you will have your custom design available all year long. 

Ordering fence panels by the container is a highly cost-effective way to purchase construction fencing, temporary fencing, or security fencing materials. It’s an excellent solution for large-scale projects where purchasing in bulk will reduce the overall cost of materials.

Before placing a bulk order, be sure to consider the key factors: timing, offloading capabilities, container size, and cost breakdowns. With the right planning, you can get the materials you need at the best price for your project.

If you’re ready to place a bulk order or need more information, contact us today for a detailed quote. We’ll help you get the fence panels you need while boosting your business

At Olivec, we’re committed to helping your business grow and succeed!