5 Questions to Ask When Renting a Crane

If your business requires the use of a crane for its next project, you may be considering renting a crane. If so, check out these five questions you should ask yourself before you choose a rental company. They will help you ensure you get the right product and supplier for your needs.

Why Do You Need a Crane?

If you don't typically use a crane for your business, you may not know that there are several different types, such as vehicle mounted crane, tower crane, aerial crane and many others. Before you can determine which crane you need, you must ask yourself why you need a crane. If you're building a tall structure, a tower crane may be necessary, but for smaller projects, a tower crane is overkill and a waste of money. If you are still unsure which crane is best, tell the crane rental company about your project, and they can offer advice.

When Will You Need the Crane?

You also need to determine when you need the crane. When you rent a crane, you can't simply have it on hand whenever you need because it would be a waste of money to pay for the crane when you aren't using it. This is why you must know when you need the crane and how long you'll need the crane, so you only have it while you need it, saving you money. Don't forget to ask about their policies. Do they deliver/pick up the crane on the weekend? Is there a fee associated with having the crane longer than planned?

Do You Have a Crane Operator?

If you have to rent a crane because your business doesn't use one often, you may not have anyone qualified to actually operate the crane, which can be dangerous as a crane is a big piece of equipment. Check your employee records to see if one of your workers already has this training. If they don't, you might have to spend a bit more to hire a crane operator. When contacting crane rental companies, make sure to ask them if they also provide you with a crane operator, or if you have to find one yourself.

Are Permits Required?

Construction often requires permits, and erecting a crane may require one in your city. You'll want to check with the City's Department of Buildings to see if an application must be filed before you can use the crane. Another alternative, if you don't have the resources or time to pursue the permits yourself is to ask the crane rental company if they handle the paperwork? Some may be willing to file all the necessary permits you need to use the crane. Plus, because they are the experts, they already know what permits you do and don't need.

What's included in the Price?

One of the biggest questions to consider is what is included in the price. One company may quote you an extremely cheap price, but that may only include the actual crane rental and not the insurance, fees, application cost, cost of an operator, etc. Don't forget to also ask about the actual cranes. For example, one company may charge a little more but they may service and maintain their cranes more than a cheaper company. Always find out exactly what you're getting for the prince, so you don't end up spending a fortune on bad service and equipment.

Never choose a company just because they are cheap. When renting a crane, you want to ensure you get quality equipment. For more information about crane rental in your area, contact a rental company today.