How Much Does Crane Hire Cost?
Cranes are typically used to lift and move heavy loads to their intended locations, reducing the need for manual labour.
While most construction firms will require a crane at some point in their operations, there may come a time when you need one for prolonged periods.
Aside from finding somewhere safe to store the crane on-site, it also needs to be maintained and serviced to ensure maximum safety when lifting and moving large, cumbersome loads.
Many people prefer to hire a crane from a reputable crane hire company, like us at BJW Cranes, rather than buying one outright. This is because the onus of transporting, storing and maintaining the crane will be on us.
Hiring a crane also improves efficiency and reduces additional expenses – allowing you to rent different machines for different days and tasks.
Though crane hire offers a cost-effective alternative to buying and owning a crane, several factors will determine the price you pay.
Let’s take a closer look at them.
5 factors that influence the cost of crane hire
1. Crane type
Ranging from mobile tower cranes to heavy-duty cranes and self-erecting machines, there is a vast range available to hire these days – and we certainly have an extensive fleet at our depot, here at BJW Cranes!
Thanks to their compact footprint, mobile cranes are generally easier to transport than other crane types, and they cost significantly less to store and maintain than their larger counterparts.
Telescopic cranes, on the other hand, tend to be bigger than city cranes and mobile cranes, meaning they require more room for storage and take longer to maintain, costing slightly more.
As a general rule of thumb, the bigger and heavier the crane, and the more advanced features it offers, the more you’ll pay.
2. Load size and weight
Aside from the type of crane, it’s worth pointing out that the load that needs lifting or moving can also impact the cost of crane hire.
Cranes with a greater lifting capacity can transfer more heavy objects at one time, boosting productivity. However, these machines are often more expensive to hire.
With this in mind, it’s a sensible idea for project managers to carefully consider the materials that need lifting – including their size, weight and amount. Not only will this help to determine the best crane for the job but it will also help to keep costs down, by renting equipment that enables you to move goods with ease both quickly and safely.
3. Site conditions
The conditions of the site can also be reflected in the cost of crane rental.
Although we can’t speak for all crane hire providers, here at BJW, we will assess the ground conditions and potential access restrictions and obstructions before we offer a quote.
Usually, projects on uneven terrain will require more equipment to stabilise the crane, to ensure it can be used correctly without causing harm. And obstructions, such as overhead power lines, trees and high-rise buildings nearby, will affect lift operations – calling upon the need for specialist apparatus to guarantee safety and efficiency.
The easier it is to access your site, and the fewer restrictions and obstructions, the less you’ll be charged for crane hire.
4. Rental period
It may seem obvious, but the longer you need to hire a crane, the more you’ll pay.
Most crane hire companies allow you to hire one of their cranes for a couple of hours and charge an hourly rate for anything after this time. So you can see how the costs mount up quickly.
The team at BJW understand that no two projects are the same. Whilst some only need crane hire for a few hours (or days), others will be looking for something a little more long-term. That’s why we pride ourselves on offering a flexible solution for a competitive price.
Some companies offer unlimited crane rental periods, allowing you to hire a crane for as long as you need. Be mindful, though, they tend to charge extra for this service.
5. Crane hire service
The price can vary depending on whether you choose Construction Plant Hire Association (CPA) crane hire or contract lifting.
CPA hire is typically the go-to choice for customers who have hired a crane in the past and know exactly what they need to do to execute the lift safely. With this option, you will be required to provide the necessary personnel to operate and supervise the crane.
A contract lift is perfect if you’ve never hired a crane before or if you’d simply prefer to hand over the responsibility to the crane company.
As the crane hire company removes the burden of arranging a lift operation with contract lifting, this typically costs more than a standard crane hire. However, you can trust that your goods are in safe hands and every aspect is catered for – including the paperwork and insurance cover. Nothing is left to chance.
Request a free, no-obligation quote for crane hire today
It’s difficult to provide an exact figure for crane hire, as the cost can vary depending on the above factors.
For a better idea of how much it will cost you to hire a crane for your project – even if you’re unsure which crane type best suits your requirements – we suggest getting in touch with our team.
You can either call us on 01724 289 501 or email office@bjwcranes.co.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to discuss your needs in more detail before offering a tailored quotation.
If you have any further questions regarding the cranes or services we provide, we’d also love to hear from you.
How Much Does Crane Hire Cost? FAQ’s
While you will pay less for CPA crane hire CPA contract lifting may be the service best suited to you.
CPA crane hire
This service is a simple crane rental exchange - you only hire the crane for a rental fee.
CPA crane hire is perfect for companies who don’t have a crane but have trained appointed personnel, crane operators and slingers to plan and undertake lifts.
Crane fees operate on a day-by-day cost basis, with smaller cranes costing the least.
On average, it costs £420 to rent a 25-tonne crane. Included in this service is insurance cover to protect the lift, which increases the cost slightly.
CPA contract lifting
With CPA contract lifting, on the other hand, one of our competent appointed persons and signallers will perform the lift for you. We will plan the lift, produce risk assessments, and conduct the process from start to finish.
It’s our responsibility to provide insurance to cover damages to property and machinery – you will only need to take out public liability cover.
This service is more costly, as extra services and qualified staff are provided, but it could save you money in the long term as there will be no insurance claims for failed lifts.
For more information about the different crane hire options available to you, you can get in touch with our specialists on 01724289501. Alternatively, you can fill in our online enquiry form, we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Crane hire costs are partly determined by location.
You’ll find that rural construction sites will cost more as remote locations are more difficult to access. For example, transporting a crane to rural locations involves significantly more manoeuvring through tight country roads than that to city sites.
They can take longer to reach as they’re often not accessible from a main route.
Urban locations usually cost less as access to town or city sites is easier.
Similarly, rental costs in the South tend to be more expensive than in the North, so this is worth bearing in mind when collecting quotes for your site.
Get in touch with BJW Cranes today for a free no-obligation quote on 01724289501, or fill in our online enquiry form
Our hire costs are calculated on a daily or weekly basis. Final rental costs are dependent on multiple factors including:
Crane type
Understandably, more specialised, heavy-duty cranes will cost more than smaller, more compact cranes.
Similarly, the more a crane can lift, the more expensive it is to hire.
Crane hire service
Prices vary depending on the rental service you use.
A crane plus an operator, as with CPA contract lifting, will increase the rates you will pay as you will pay for the extra staff and services too.
CPA crane hire, which includes just the crane, will be much cheaper.
Rental length
Unsurprisingly, the rental costs will increase the longer a crane is hired.
For example, on average, a 35t crane costs £1,750 weekly and £3,500 for two weeks etc.
Location
Remote areas will cost more than urban locations as they’re difficult to access - transporting cranes to rural sites that are off-road usually takes much longer than that of city sites.
The CPA hire cost is calculated by multiplying their set fee by the days hired.
Smaller cranes will always cost the least to hire – our smallest crane is a 15t model capable of lifting lighter loads.
Larger cranes, however, require more time to transport and will therefore cost more to hire. One of the largest cranes in our fleet is a 500t Liebherr, which costs significantly more to hire.
However, the most suitable crane may not be the cheapest available.
Our experts have the knowledge and experience to select the most appropriate crane based on your needs and will ensure you have the correct crane for your project.
We also offer the most competitive rates for crane hire, so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal.
Get in touch with us today at 01724289501 for a no-obligation quote, free of charge.