What is hotshot delivery? A deep dive for construction teams

In construction, timing is everything. If you have entire crews waiting on tools, materials, or replacement items, timelines come to a halt, and costs can run up quickly. That’s why construction teams are increasingly relying on hotshot deliveries to keep project timelines right where they want them. 

Hotshot deliveries, simple point A to B deliveries that cut out the pit stops, can be pre-scheduled, next-day, or even same-day rush. They’re quick to book and save project managers from having to pay out and reschedule dozens of workers. So whether it’s a replacement part or a pallet of materials needed within a few hours, hotshots have become a core part of modern logistics. 

What’s a hotshot?

A hotshot is a dedicated, nonstop delivery that starts at pickup and continues until it reaches the final destination. Unlike FTL or LTL service, hotshots are not consolidated with other shipments. It’s fast and top-notch service, but it’s also ideal for shipping fragile items or those requiring special-handling.

Hotshots are most used for same-day or next-day delivery, when speed is a top priority. Delivery times are shorter and more predictable, and construction teams can prevent downtime and overspending on labor resources. 

Same-day hotshot services are typically cheaper than the surcharges associated with rush parcel services or local couriers. For third-party platforms with hotshots baked into their offering, pricing is competitive and predictable for every hotshot booked. 

How hotshots work

The process may differ depending on the provider, but typically, the booking process is quite straightforward:

1. A delivery booking is placed on a platform that supports hotshots.
2. A dedicated vehicle and driver are dispatched for immediate pickup.
3. Once loaded, the order goes directly from the pickup to the warehouse, jobsite, or distribution point without transfers or detours.

A quality hotshot platform will also provide live tracking, proof of delivery, and push notifications so bookers and receivers can stay looped in on the order status. This also makes it easier for crews to coordinate the unloading and storage of materials on active job sites.

Common hotshot use cases for construction 

Now, you can understand why hotshot delivery plays a critical role in construction. The most common use cases include: 

• Requiring emergency replacement parts to repair machinery or equipment
• Ordering materials that were forgotten or under-ordered during planning
• Time-sensitive tools requiring specialized crews working
• Last-minute changes to specifications or job plans
• Deliveries to jobsites with narrow delivery windows

In each scenario, rush hotshots help teams lessen idle labor, missed deadlines, or cascading project delays across subcontractors. 

Hotshot delivery vs. traditional freight options

So, why hotshots over conventional freight options? To put it simply, hotshots save excess time and money where the conventional methods don’t. Traditional freight focuses on long-haul cost efficiency and works well in specific, non-urgent deliveries. But it also introduces terminal stops and longer transit times. Local courier services may offer the speed businesses are looking for, but often lack the capacity or equipment needed for large or bulky construction materials. 

That’s where hotshots come in. They live at the intersection of speed, expertise, and convenience. They can handle pallets, tools, and bulky items. And when timelines are tight, paying for speed is often cheaper than the extra overhead of delayed timelines. 

Large retailers: Using van fleet hotshots to rise to customer demand

Hotshot deliveries aren’t only an on-demand option for construction. Large retailers with dozens to thousands of storefronts also rely on similar logistics to meet rising customer expectations for speed. 

Retailers face constant pressure to offer same-day delivery (often within hours) while managing inventory across stores and warehouses. That’s where van fleet hotshots come in. Offering to move products directly from store to customer, or between locations without delays, van fleet hotshots give businesses greater control than parcel or crowdsourced delivery options. 

How Curri’s hotshots suit any industry and use case

Curri is a comprehensive logistics solution that serves specialized industries like construction and industrial, as well as retail, at mid-market to enterprise capacity. Curri’s nationwide fleet helps retailers and construction teams move critical items quickly with dedicated hotshots, whether that be from a van fleet or a box truck. No unnecessary stops mean customer and foreman expectations are always met. 

Curri offers everything a reliable hotshot provider should, including live tracking, proof of delivery, traffic forecasting, and simple route planning. On top of that, Curri supports freight delivery, dedicated routes, LTLs, and even parcel service, so businesses can use Curri as their catch-all provider for all delivery needs. 

The Curri hotshot model is built around point A-to-B routes designed for urgency. They use AI-powered route-planning software and can forecast traffic in real time to ensure delivery windows are met, regardless of weather conditions or road closures.

The best part? Curri is as easy to use as your average rideshare or food delivery app. Getting started is as easy as signing up and making your first booking. For teams that are slow to adopt new tech, Curri makes it easier than ever. 

Stay competitive with Curri hotshots today

Hotshot delivery isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a must. For construction companies navigating complex projects and rigid timelines, next or same-day hotshots provide the reliability and speed needed to respond and deliver without losing momentum. And if you’re using Curri, you can expect professionalism on top of that. 

From emergency jobsite delivery to retail fulfillment strategies, construction or van fleet hotshots help companies meet expectations and outdo the competition. For many, hotshots aren’t a backup plan or an ace up the sleeve. By making it a routine booking, companies can win new business, reduce churn, and scale for the future. 

See a demo from Curri today to learn more about hotshot use cases in any industry. Streamlining logistics, saving money, and growing the business is just a few taps away.