Crane hire is a viable option for contractors who intend to lift heavy loads on their construction sites. Most contractors wonder whether they should buy or purchase cranes. If you are in this dilemma, read this article for some tips.
Buying A Crane
Buying suits contractors who need to use the cranes extensively or intend to make additional cash from renting out their cranes. You must conduct your due diligence before purchasing a crane. For instance, you should assess your construction patterns and business forecast to determine which type of cranes you need most. For example, commercial contractors often use crawler and tower cranes when building skyscrapers. Residential contractors, on the other hand, often use telescopic handlers to lift light loads such as roofing materials.
Check your budget to determine if you will purchase a new or used crane. New cranes are durable, have a manufacturer's warranty, and come with the latest technologies. When buying new cranes, the general rule is comparing the various models to establish which offers value for your money. Moreover, consult industry experts to determine the crane's maintenance schedule and the availability of spare parts. Assess the crane's demand to establish its depreciation value. Remember, you might want to sell the crane to upgrade to a newer model.
If you decide to buy a used crane, you must conduct background checks to establish the equipment's condition. Generally, consider models renowned for durability and reliability. Check the crane's running hours vis-à-vis its maintenance schedule to know whether the previous owner took good care of the machine. Finally, ask for a guarantee and complimentary services such as insurance and shipping to your site.
Renting A Crane
Crane rental makes financial sense to contractors who need cranes for short-term use. The golden rule when renting a crane is working with a reputable hiring company. Besides excellent reviews, you must examine the company's terms and conditions. For instance, does the company offer transport services? What are the client's obligations? Does the company offer free and timely maintenance services? Does the company provide riggers and operators? Does the crane have adequate insurance coverage? Compare the conditions of several companies to ensure the service provider you choose offers quality services.
Costs are a critical concern for most contractors since they would want to run lean operations to make a profit. Therefore, ask the rental companies that meet your basic eligibility criteria to send a quote. There are several ways to compel the company to lower its rental costs. For instance, you could ask it to justify its pricing if its competition charges cheaper. Alternatively, you could negotiate the quote creatively. For example, you could ask the company to lower the standard rental rates when the equipment is idle or under repairs.
Reach out to a crane retailer to learn more.
Are you involved in a building project but confused about exactly what equipment you need to hire to carry out the work? Sometimes the world of heavy construction equipment can be bewildering. There are so many types of heavy equipment and each one of them has slightly different capabilities. If you know that you need work done but aren’t sure what equipment you should hire to do it then this website can help. Here you will find helpful articles explaining the capabilities of all types of heavy construction equipment and telling you everything you need to know before arranging machinery hire.