Contract Opportunities for Independent Box Truck Carriers
Contract Opportunities for Independent Box Truck Carriers
Diakon Logistics is a licensed property broker and last-mile 3PL. We arrange big-and-bulky home delivery for furniture, appliance, bedding and fitness retailers, and we contract that work to independent motor carriers who run their own businesses.
Independent business opportunities, not employment
Diakon hires employees only for management roles. It does not hire anyone for contractor opportunities. Contract delivery work is a business-to-business opportunity for independent carrier businesses: companies with their own USDOT number and operating authority, a 26ft box truck, and a 2-person team they staff and manage themselves. Diakon is a licensed property broker (MC-240193, USDOT 528529). If you own or are starting that kind of business, you can apply to contract with Diakon. For management roles at Diakon, see Careers at Diakon (management roles).
Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Business entity | LLC or corporation with its own EIN |
| Operating authority | Active USDOT number and operating authority (MC or state, as required) in your business's name |
| Equipment | 26ft box truck owned or leased by your business. A liftgate is highly recommended, not required. |
| Team | 2-person team. Your business staffs, manages and pays its own driver and helper. |
| CDL | Generally not required for a 26ft box truck under 26,001 lbs GVWR. A DOT physical may be required. |
| Insurance | Commercial general liability, commercial auto liability, motor truck cargo, and workers' compensation or occupational accident coverage, depending on location. Limits are set in the carrier agreement. |
| Compliance | Meets FMCSA/DOT requirements. Team members meet the safety, background and drug-screening standards our retail clients require of in-home service providers. |
| Service capability | Comfortable handling big and bulky items, including in-home placement, assembly, set-up or installation where the order calls for it |
Types of contract work
Beyond dedicated home delivery programs, Diakon on Demand arranges project and commercial work that gives carrier businesses more ways to grow. Each opportunity is offered under the carrier agreement, and your business decides which ones to accept.
- Dedicated retail programs. Home delivery, installation and assembly of furniture, appliances, bedding and fitness equipment for national and regional retailers.
- Multi-family housing projects. Large-volume deliveries and installation for apartment communities and residential developments.
- Commercial and hospitality projects. Furniture, appliance and fitness equipment deliveries for hotels, universities, gyms and other commercial sites, from the ground floor to high-rise upper floors.
- Travel projects. Contract work in other areas for carriers who want to take their team on the road for project-based contract work.
- Support and seasonal surge. Supplemental capacity for retail programs during peak seasons, store openings and new-market launches.
- Rapid response. Short-notice, on-demand work when a retailer or commercial customer needs a qualified team fast.
Contract work for independent carriers across the US
Diakon serves retailers and contracts with independent carriers anywhere in the US. Recent launch areas include, for example:
- Louisiana: Greater New Orleans
- Gulf Coast (Alabama and Florida): Mobile, AL and Pensacola, FL
- Virginia: Richmond and Fredericksburg
These are examples, not a complete list. Diakon on Demand also arranges travel projects in other areas. Contract volume varies by program and is not guaranteed. Carriers anywhere in the US can apply; Contractor Relations reviews applications against current and upcoming programs.
How contracting works
- Apply. Tell us about your authority, truck and team.
- Verify. Our Contractor Relations group reviews your USDOT authority, insurance and equipment.
- Review the carrier agreement. The agreement sets the scope of work and rates for each contract. You decide whether to accept.
- Start operating. Once onboarding is complete, your business accepts tendered loads under the agreement.
What you control as an independent carrier
- Your business, your truck, your team, and who you staff, subject to client safety and screening standards
- Whether to accept contract work offered
- Whether to haul for other brokers and shippers. The carrier agreement is non-exclusive.
- Your own business expenses, equipment and insurance
What Diakon provides
- Contracted delivery work for retail programs
- Onboarding assistance with paperwork and requirements
- Optional truck sourcing at pre-negotiated, discounted rates through third-party rental partners
- Order and customer information through our delivery technology
- A Contractor Relations point of contact
Contract volume varies by program and is not guaranteed.
FAQ
Do I need a CDL to contract a 26ft box truck?
Generally no. Most 26ft box trucks are under 26,001 lbs GVWR, which is below the CDL threshold. Check your truck's GVWR and your state's rules.
Do I need my own USDOT number and operating authority?
Yes. You need an active USDOT number and operating authority in your business's name before you can contract with Diakon.
Does my truck need a liftgate?
A liftgate is highly recommended but not required. Your business runs its own operation with its own tools and decides how it does the work.
I don't have a truck yet. Can Diakon help?
Diakon has pre-negotiated rates with third-party rental partners to help carriers source trucks at a discounted rate. Using it is optional.
Can I contract as a single operator?
No. Contract work requires a 2-person team, because big-and-bulky in-home delivery needs two people.
Can I work for other companies?
Yes. The carrier agreement is non-exclusive. You can haul for other brokers and shippers.
Is this employment?
No. Diakon hires employees only for management roles. Contractor opportunities are business-to-business agreements between Diakon and your independent business. Your business sets its own staffing, pays its own team, uses its own tools, decides how it does the work, and can work with other brokers and shippers. The agreement is non-exclusive.
Can I contract with Diakon without my own business, truck or authority?
No. Contractor opportunities are for independent carrier businesses with active USDOT and operating authority. Diakon does not hire individuals for this work. If your business needs a truck, Diakon has pre-negotiated rates with third-party rental partners. The rental is between your business and the partner.
Where does Diakon contract box truck carriers?
Anywhere in the US. Diakon contracts with independent box truck carriers nationwide. Recent launch areas include, for example, Greater New Orleans, LA; Mobile, AL and Pensacola, FL; Richmond, VA; and Fredericksburg, VA. Contract volume varies by program and is not guaranteed. Carriers anywhere in the US can apply, and Contractor Relations reviews applications against current and upcoming programs.
What insurance do I need?
Commercial general liability, commercial auto liability, motor truck cargo, and workers' compensation or occupational accident coverage, depending on location. Limits are stated in the carrier agreement.
How are contract rates set?
Rates are set out in the carrier agreement for each contract. We don't publish rates. Contractor Relations reviews them with qualified carriers.
What kind of freight is involved?
Furniture, appliances, mattresses and bedding, and fitness equipment delivered to homes, sometimes with assembly, installation or haul-away.
What other types of contract work are available?
Besides dedicated retail programs, Diakon arranges multi-family housing projects, commercial and hospitality projects such as hotels, universities and gyms, travel projects in other areas, seasonal support, and rapid-response work. Your business decides which opportunities to accept.
How do I get started?
Submit the application. Contractor Relations will reach out to review your authority, truck, team and insurance.
Last reviewed October 2026
Apply as an independent carrier →
Diakon hires employees only for management roles. For those, see Careers at Diakon (management roles).
Apply as an independent carrier
Share your MC/USDOT authority, truck and team details. Contractor Relations reviews each application. This is a business-to-business contracting opportunity, not employment.