How crane companies charge
Most crane companies bill by the hour for an operated crane, with a minimum number of hours. Travel time from the yard to your site is often included in that time. Larger cranes cost more per hour and may need extra trucks to bring counterweights, which adds to the bill.
| Crane | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Boom truck (up to ~40 tons) | Materials, signs, light equipment |
| Small hydraulic crane (40–70 tons) | Trusses, AC units, pools and spas |
| Mid-size crane (80–150 tons) | Long reach, heavier equipment, steel |
| Large crane (200+ tons) | Commercial steel, precast, heavy industrial |
Hourly rates vary a lot between companies and go up with crane size, so the fastest way to a real number is a quote for your job. Ask each company what its minimum is and whether travel time counts.
What changes the price
- Weight and reach. A light load far from the crane can need a bigger crane than a heavy load close by.
- Hours on site. Setup, the lift itself and teardown all count.
- Travel. Distance from the company's yard to your site.
- Access and setup. Soft ground, tight streets or power lines can mean more planning, mats or a different crane.
- Permits. Street setups often need a city or county permit.
- Timing. Weekend, after-hours and post-storm work can cost more.
How to get an accurate quote
Give the crane company the weight of the heaviest item, the distance from where the crane can set up to where the load lands, and photos of the site if you can. With those, most companies can quote quickly. Ask whether the price includes travel, rigging, permits and any minimums.