Top 8 Questions to Ask Before Renting a Crane

Renting a crane is an important step for many maintenance, renovation, or construction projects. Any time you need powerful and high-elevation lifting, a crane will ensure the job is done safely and efficiently. Most development teams don’t keep a supply of cranes on hand, so crane rental has become a specialized service. Of course, every project and crane provider is unique.

To ensure that you secure the right crane rental service for your needs, it’s important to ask a few questions. These 10 questions can help you build the best lift plan for your project, from crane selection to on-site operation.

At General Steel Crane & Rigging, we’re glad to answer any questions and ensure you get the best answers before booking your crane rental.

Questions You Should Ask Before Renting a Crane

There are ten important questions to ask as you plan to rent a crane. These will help you determine the correct crane and service for the job.

1. How much does it cost to rent a crane?

The cost of renting a crane depends on the conditions. Smaller cranes, shorter projects, and shorter distances will make a rental more affordable, while prices scale upward as the size of the crane and total lifting plan increase. In general terms, renting a crane can range anywhere from $200 per day to well over $1000 per day.

Ask your crane rental provider about the rates for the specific crane you need, including factors like transport distance and your lift plan.

2. How much does it cost to rent a crane and operator, and how long can I rent the crane?

The cost to rent a crane and operator adds the cost of crane rental to a daily wage for your operator. This cost can be negotiated on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis with your crane rental provider.

The length of time you can rent a crane and operator can be measured in months. While some crane rental contracts are short due to a brief lifting plan, extended crane rentals are perfectly normal for large-scale projects.

3. Does cost vary by crane type?

In almost all cases, the cost of crane rental will vary based on the type of crane you need. Small cranes typically cost less to rent compared to large and oversized cranes. However, rates will depend on your chosen crane rental service’s specific policies and price range.

4. Can your crane rentals support my business and project sites across the nation?

Renting one crane for a single project is one thing. But if you’re making big plans, it can help to build a business partnership with a reliable crane rental company. This is why asking if the crane rental service can support other projects throughout your active regions can be helpful. Some crane rental services are strictly local, while others have crane rental locations and transport capabilities nationwide.

5. How will the crane get to the site?

Crane transport is an important question. Some cranes can drive on the highways, while others will need specialized trucks to transport them to the site. You and your crane rental provider will need to collaborate on the schedule and transport plans to move the crane into place.

6. How can I prepare my site for the crane?

Cranes are defined by the terrain they can traverse. All cranes perform best on stable land; some require flat-packed dirt or even pavement to operate safely. Asking how to prepare your site for a rented crane can be essential to completing your lift plan safely and efficiently.

7. Do you have the type of crane I need? How will it make the lifts?

Consult with your crane rental company on the site about the lifting you need. Together, you will determine the best crane for the job and whether that crane will be available for rental during your project timeline. You will also build a detailed lifting plan to inform the total time you’ll need the crane, how it will make the lifts, and whether you need an operator.

8. Are there any other services included with your crane rentals?

High-quality crane rental services are rarely a solo act. Crane rental providers like General Steel Crane & Rigging offer a variety of additional services to ensure that your project is a success and that the crane performs at optimal efficiency. These extra services can enhance your project and provide an edge you would not have with bare-bones crane rental.

Contact General Steel & Crane Rigging Today

Are you preparing for a project that will need serious lift? General Steel Crane & Rigging is here to fulfill all your crane rental needs including expert consultation, lift plan building, operators, responsive maintenance, and long-distance availability. Contact us today to discuss your next lifting project and the right crane rental for the job.

 

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