A crane quote covers more than the crane. Who rigs the load, who provides the slings, who pays for the operator's stay and who replaces a worn wire rope are all part of the deal. This guide lists what a clear crane hire quote should state, so you can compare offers and avoid disputes on site.
- Confirm capacity, boom length and the load chart for your heaviest lift at its radius.
- Ask for the current load test certificate and the operator's credentials.
- Agree who provides rigging, a rigger or signalman, and replacement wire ropes.
The machine: capacity is not the whole story
A crane's rated capacity applies at its shortest radius. What matters is the load it can lift at the radius and height your job needs, which is read from the crane's load chart. Give suppliers the heaviest load, the distance from the crane to where it will be placed, and the height, and let them confirm the model. Common types include pick-and-carry cranes for yards and plants, truck-mounted cranes that travel between sites, crawler cranes for heavy, long-duration lifting and tower cranes for building work.
Documents to ask for
- The latest load test and examination certificate, with its validity date.
- Insurance for the crane.
- The operator's licence and experience on that type of crane.
Lift planning and supervising the work remain the site's responsibility under Clexen's Standard Rental Conditions; the crane should only be operated within its load chart.
Scope items to settle in the quote
| Item | Typical practice to confirm |
|---|---|
| Operator and helper | Usually provided with the crane; check shifts covered. |
| Operator food, stay and local travel | Varies: some suppliers include it, others leave it to the site. |
| Slings, shackles and rigging | Often the customer's scope except the hook. |
| Rigger or signalman | Often the customer's scope. |
| Replacement wire ropes | Some long-term quotes make replacement ropes the customer's cost. |
| Maintenance days | Some quotes allow a few maintenance days a month without a rent cut. |
| Diesel | Usually the customer's scope for monthly hire. |
| Transport, permits and state taxes | Mobilisation, demobilisation, RTO or entry taxes and e-way bills; see our guide to mobilisation charges. |
Billing terms to compare
Note the hours included per month, the overtime rate, the lock-in period, notice before release, and how breakdowns reduce the rent. For long hires, ask how many maintenance days a month the supplier needs and whether a replacement crane is provided during long breakdowns.
Ground and site conditions
Cranes need firm, level ground and room to set outriggers or move on tracks. Tell suppliers about slopes, soft ground, overhead lines and access roads; it can change which crane they offer.
Clexen asks crane partners to state capacity, boom length, the test certificate date, and who provides rigging, riggers and wire ropes on every quote, and lays the answers side by side on your request page. Request crane quotes or browse lifting equipment.
Frequently asked questions
What documents should a hired crane come with?
At least a current load test and examination certificate, insurance for the crane, and the operator's licence. Ask for copies before the crane is dispatched.
Who provides slings and rigging on a crane hire?
It varies, but many suppliers provide only the hook and leave slings, shackles and a rigger to the site. The quote should say.
How do I choose crane capacity?
Give suppliers the heaviest load, the radius and the height. The right crane is the one whose load chart covers that lift with a safety margin, not the one whose headline capacity equals the load.
Is the operator included in crane rental?
Usually yes for mobile cranes, but food, stay and local travel for the operator may be the customer's scope.