There are plenty of different aspects of a residential property renovation that a contractor is in control of.
In essence, everything that falls under the scope of providing all the necessary materials, labor, tools, and services essential for the project Depending on the type of home renovation in question, there is a high probability that part of the process will require a crane.
If you are working with a contractor on a home renovation that requires a crane hire, here are four things you need to discuss.
1. What experience does the crane hire company have?
First and foremost, you want to be assured that the crane hire company your contractor is choosing to work with has a good reputation that has been built up over a significant amount of time. The best crane hire companies have plenty of industry experience that proves their ability to successfully abide by operational procedures and criteria set by industry officials.
In addition, you want the crane hire company to offer services such as helping with the acquisition of permits for the installation of a crane, thorough training of operators, a full maintenance program for their cranes, and the removal of the cranes once the project is performed.
Only the top-quality crane hire companies offer these services, so make sure the contractor isn’t settling for anything less.
2. How are they ensuring the work site is as safe as possible?
Safety is of the utmost importance when operating a construction site and this is vital when a crane is brought into the mix.
Speak with the contractor about how the proposed crane hire company deals with safety issues and what procedures they have in place to make sure that everything goes as smoothly and as safely as possible.
Remind the contractor that it is beneficial for everyone involved if the project complies with safety regulations, if workers are kept protected, and if the project proceeds smoothly and promptly.
To greatly enhance the safety of the project, ask the contractor to examine thoroughly (and explain to you) what insurance is rendered by the crane hire company.
3. Does this crane hire service fit into the budget?
Your contractor has to remain within the agreed-upon budget for construction projects but it is still important to discuss with them how additional expenses fit into the original quotation for your project. . To ensure that everything remains on track, ask them about the cost of the crane service and what impact (if any) it will have on the price of the project.
Keep in mind that your best bet is to agree to work with a crane hire company that owns a mixed fleet of both old, new, versatile and specialized cranes as these can be hired at varying rates.
Hiring a used crane will make it a more affordable expenditure provided it is well maintained; however, a new, top-of-the-line crane will have the latest technology and be more efficient, which could potentially cut down on the cost of labor.
Before selecting a crane hire company, it is beneficial to get a range of crane hire quotes to compare and contrast the available options.
4. What are the environmental issues related to this type of crane?
Last but not least, you want to speak with your contractor about the environmental issues that are related to having a crane on the construction site. Old technology diesel powered cranes can produce a lot of air pollution and be a hefty contributor to noise pollution. Both of these issues should be considerations for you and your contractor to take into account.
During this conversation, ask the contractor to find a crane provider that offers high-quality cranes that are electric and emission-free. This will be your best option for working with a crane that meets strict noise ordinances and environmental policies, and has less of a negative impact on the environment overall.
Have you and your contractor used a crane hiring service during a property renovation? What was your experience like? Let us know your tips, tricks, and suggestions for making it the best experience possible in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Hermann Buchberger is the Founder and CEO of Active Crane Hire (ACH). He’s taken the company from start-up to Industry Leader offering the largest fleet of construction cranes in Australia.
ACH launched a new type of crane previously unheard of in the Australian market: electric tower cranes.
The company’s infrastructure and associated services now comprise a fleet of trucks and trailers, a crane-rigging team, mobile crane technicians, a fleet of service vehicles, and an extensive range of crane spare parts.