The Ultimate Guide to Crane Rental Agreements
When you need to rent a crane for a construction or renovation project, signing a crane rental agreement is an essential step in the process. A crane rental agreement is a contract which defines the scope of the rental, including the equipment, time, services, and protections which are relevant to both parties.
Crane rental can be complex, often including the service of an operator, lift plan development, transportation, and on-site maintenance. Understanding your crane rental agreement can help you secure exactly what your project needs from the entire crane rental procedure.
At General Steel Crane & Rigging, we know that a well-informed client is the best type of client. That is why we are honored to provide a clear outline of the key elements of your crane rental agreement.
Understand the Key Elements of a Crane Rental Agreement
Let’s take a closer look at the elements that you will find in your crane rental agreement with General Steel Crane & Rigging.
Parties Involved
The parties involved in a crane rental agreement are typically the provider and the client. However, operators and service teams may also be defined as relevant parties in the contract.
Equipment Details:
The equipment details define the exact crane or cranes you will be renting. This will be defined after a consultation to determine the best crane for your needs. It is also acceptable to request multiple equipment pieces if you need different types of lifting under different conditions to complete your project.
Rental Period:
The rental period defines the calendar dates on which you will be in possession of the equipment. The rental period is built based on the scope of your project, the length of your day-by-day lifting plan, and the available dates of the equipment. Your rental period also blocks out the calendar to ensure that others cannot double-book your reserved equipment for the dates of your project.
The equipment will become available on the first day of the rental period and must be returned by the last day of the rental period.
Rental Rate and Payment:
The rental rate defines the cost of crane rental per day, week, or month. Longer projects may define the rental rate on a larger scale. Your rental rate multiplied by the rental period determines the total cost.
Payments and your payment schedule will also be determined in this section of your crane rental agreement.
Responsibilities: (lessor and lessee)
Responsibilities apply to both parties in the crane rental agreement. The lessor (crane provider) is typically responsible for providing equipment that is well-maintained and in top condition, ready to use safely on the first day of the rental period. The provider may also agree to supply the client with an operator, a guided lifting plan, and/or on-site crane maintenance and repairs.
The renter or lessee agrees to take responsible care of the equipment, use the equipment only for approved lifting, and return the equipment by the end of the rental period.
Insurance and Warranty:
The insurance and warranty section defines whether the equipment is insured and what is covered by both insurance policies and warranty protections. Combined, insurance and warranties typically cover standard accidents, manufacturing flaws, and maintenance deficits.
Safety:
The safety section typically defines what is safe use of the equipment and how safety using your crane should be maintained.
Mobilization and Demobilization:
Mobilization and demobilization refer to the process of transporting the crane to and from the work site. Who handles this and how the crane is prepared will be defined in your crane rental agreement,
Termination:
The terms in which the crane rental might be terminated by either party before the end date of the rental period.
Default:
The default defines how the crane rental might go into default. This may involve payment failure or misuse of the equipment in which the provider can declare the rental agreement to be in a default state, and therefore terminate.
Indemnification:
Indemification is an agreement to hold the crane provider harmless and not liable for specific aspects of your project such as hiring people on site, misuse or disassembly of the equipment, and so on.
Governing Law:
Governing law may identify and define any laws that will influence the terms and limitations of the crane rental agreement.
Terms of Payment:
The terms of payment determine how and when payment should be rendered in relation to the crane rental agreement. This may include full payment upfront, a staged payment structure, or a long-term payment plan based on agreement between the two parties and provider policies.
Ensure You Are Prepared
When renting a crane for your next big project, it’s important to be prepared. In addition to reading about how crane rental agreements are structured, you are always welcome to ask questions to ensure you have a full understanding before signing the rental contract. At General Steel Crane & Rigging, we are proud to provide all the information and professional advice you need to build the ideal crane rental agreement for your project needs.
Book Your Rental in Advance
The best way to ensure you get all the terms you need is to book your crane rental service in advance. Plan ahead by several months or even more than a year ahead to ensure your equipment, calendar dates, and lift plan will be ready for action when you need to start lifting. This will also give you plenty of time to research, ask questions, and negotiate the best terms.
Get a Quote with General Steel Crane & Rigging Today
Are you planning a project that requires crane rental? General Steel Crane & Rigging can help you with professional crane rental services with full-service support. Contact us today for a quote on the equipment, dates, and services you need to make your project a success.
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