What Is White Glove Delivery?

Some deliveries need more than a signature at the door. White glove delivery is the premium two-person service that carries your goods inside, unpacks them, places them exactly where they need to be — and takes the packaging away on its way out. It is the difference between a box left on a doorstep and a fully finished installation.

Originally a term from high-end furniture logistics, white glove delivery is now used by medical suppliers, IT companies, hospitality brands and retailers who can't afford a damaged product or a disappointed customer. At RGP TRANS LTD, our 2-man crew service provides exactly this level of care across the UK.

What Does a White Glove Delivery Service Include?

• Two trained crew members. Heavy or awkward items are carried by two people, not dragged or trolleyed through doorways.
• Inside delivery to the room of choice. The item goes where you want it — not just "to the kerb" or "first ground floor room".
• Unpacking and placement. Cardboard, film and pallets are removed, and the item is positioned exactly where requested.
• Packaging removal. The crew takes all waste packaging away, leaving the space clean and ready to use.
• Basic assembly and installation. Beds, desks, wardrobes, white goods and AV racks can be assembled or connected as part of the job.
• Pre-delivery checks. Items are inspected at collection and delivery, with photos at both ends for a clear chain of custody.

When Should You Use White Glove Delivery?

Not every consignment needs the full treatment — a box of documents is fine with a standard same day courier. But some goods are simply too heavy, too valuable or too complex to leave at a door:

• Furniture and interiors — beds, sofas, wardrobes and office fit-outs that need lifting, placing and assembling.
• Medical equipment — imaging devices, examination couches and laboratory kit that must be installed, not dumped in reception.
• IT and server hardware — racks and servers that need careful handling and positioning in comms rooms.
• Hospitality FF&E — mattresses, linen, appliances and furniture for hotels and restaurants with tight turnaround windows.
• High-value retail — designer items and fragile purchases where damage or mishandling would mean an expensive return.

White Glove vs Standard Courier: What's the Difference?

• Standard courier: collect at A, deliver to B, signature or photo proof of delivery. The consignment stays packed.
• White glove delivery: collect at A, deliver inside at B, unpack, place, assemble, remove packaging — with a two-person crew and full care handling throughout.

The premium is not in the driving — it is in the handling, the extra pair of hands, and the time spent on site. For items over 30 kg, or anything that needs to go upstairs, a second crew member is also a health-and-safety requirement, not a luxury.

How Much Does White Glove Delivery Cost?

Pricing depends on the number of items, the number of floors (including stairs and lifts), any assembly required, and the distance travelled. As a guide, white glove delivery typically adds a fixed crew premium over a standard van rate — but it removes the cost of replacements, returns and unhappy customers, which is where the real expense usually hides. Every quote from RGP TRANS LTD is fixed and confirmed before collection.