Evaluate dock count and door configuration, staging yards, material handling equipment, and WMS capabilities. Review carrier frequency for LTL/linehaul, average transit times to key markets, SLA guarantees (picks per hour, order accuracy), and integration options (API/EDI) that enable real-time inventory and order visibility.

Include rent and labor savings, but also factor additional linehaul distance, fuel surcharges, and frequency of shipments. Model inventory carrying costs, consolidation opportunities, and percentage of expedited shipments. Scenario-test seasonal peaks and returns handling to reflect true cost-to-serve.

Prioritize real-time inventory visibility, accurate pick-and-pack operations, returns processing, kitting and bundling, and carrier agnostic parcel and LTL consolidation. Ensure the 3PL supports multichannel order routing, SLA-based service tiers, and integration with your commerce and ERP systems.

Require a documented onboarding timeline, WMS integration plan, staff ramp strategies, and access to temporary labor. Confirm scalability of storage footprint and equipment, seasonal rate structures, KPIs for performance monitoring, and contingency plans for carrier disruptions or capacity shortfalls.