Do you know that around 5.7 million homes in the U.S. rely on heating oil to keep warm throughout the winter?

The majority of these fuel oil properties are in the Northeastern United States, in states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.

If you reside in one of these places, you will almost certainly need to find a fuel delivery to keep warm. There are many services to choose from, so it can be difficult to know which ones are reliable.

If you’re wondering “How can I locate reliable fuel oil delivery near me?”, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn the different characteristics of a quality fuel delivery company.

1. Good Reviews and Reputation

The best fuel delivery company has a good reputation, many clients, and many positive customer reviews. Satisfied customers will be repeat customers. They will even refer their peers to the company.

Their previous clients can vouch for their quality service. Their certifications will prove that the company abides by set safety and service regulations.

Consider doing thorough research on the company’s reviews to know the experience of their current and previous clients. Ensure you’re checking on the negative and positive remarks.

Later, consider checking the fuel supplier’s website for industry certification and awards. But, first, verify this with the awarding organization.

2. Competitive Pricing

When looking for bulk fuel delivery, you’re likely to receive more competitive pricing than driving the fleet to the gas station. Your prospective supplier might offer competitive pricing and locked-in price contracts.

After receiving quotes, compare the fuel prices. That way, you can find cost-effective fuel delivery options for your business.

3. Convenient Service Areas

You want to buy fuel from a company you can easily access, preferably in your area. It’s crucial to inquire about the fuel supplier service area first.

Where is the fuel company located, and how much travel time do they need to get the fuel to you? What will the transportation costs be if the company is far from your location?

Also, inquire whether the fuel supplier will deliver to your job site. That will be very convenient if your company is operating far from civilization.

But make sure you ask about additional delivery fees and the delivery timeframes. That way, you will know the amount you need to pay and the time you will always receive your fuel.

4. Can Work With Your Fleet’s Unique Needs

You might have a small or big fleet, local or national, and it can be in other categories, making it unique. Your fuel delivery company must understand your needs and try to accommodate them to their best ability.

A quality fuel company will collaborate with you and aim to know your fleet’s unique fuel needs. They will also help you in staying within your budget.

5. Excellent Customer Service

The fuel supplier you choose to work with should be readily available if you have questions or an emergency. The fuel delivery company should also know more about their services and implement the industry’s best practices.

All that will come down to consistently providing excellent customer service. Customer service will stem from asking about bulk supply to scheduling an emergency fuel service.

If there is a billing issue, the fuel company must offer a reliable customer support system. Ensure the company you’re engaging has full access helplines – can be an email or phone number.

The fuel company must also respond quickly. Note that some companies will claim to have good support but you won’t be able to reach them during an emergency.

6. Have Many Existing Customers

Consulting with the existing clients can bear more fruits than checking on the customer testimonials. But the present customers have more information on the fuel company’s policies.

Old clients who haven’t been in contact with the company might not have information about recent changes and updates. But the existing clients can share the information with you.

Finding the existing customers is similar to looking for customer reviews. Apart from doing a Google search and checking on forums, you can ask your friends.

Ask if they have any suppliers in mind and their experience working together.

7. Prompt Delivery Time

The most important thing is that you receive your fuel in the quantity and quality you need and expect. However, other factors such as convenience should affect your company choice.

When comparing providers, note their expected delivery times. Most companies provide these details on their websites, so the information is easy to find.

Even though others can be less apparent, there are still ways to find the information. You can browse through the service pages to know how the delivery procedure often works.

Also, check on the review sites you checked earlier to note if any one of them touched on the delivery time. If the company you’re considering is notoriously late in deliveries, you will see that in a few reviews.

You’re also likely going to see the clients that were happy with the company’s delivery time. Another sure way to know about the delivery time is by asking the company.

Choose the Best Fuel Delivery Company

The fuel supplier must provide quality fuel with a manageable budget plan. When choosing a fuel supplier, also be sure about their emergency fuel situations. You want fuel delivered to your job site whenever you need it.

It would be best to check the above characteristics when choosing a fuel delivery company.

Did you learn something helpful from this article? Check out our other blog posts to get the latest information on business products and services.