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Calling a crane company for a quote without the basic information that they will require is a waste of everyone’s time. It can also be very frustrating to everyone involved.
So the real question is:
What are the basic things that a crane company needs to know first before you make that call?
- What are you lifting? (be specific)
- What is the size (dimensions) and weight of the largest item you would like lifted?
- How far from where the crane truck is going to park will it have to reach?
- Are there any obstructions, such as power lines or trees, that might prevent the crane from moving?
- Cranes are large and don’t maneuver as tight as your car. Can a large crane truck get where you need it to go? This is important when backing into single driveways in tight neighbourhoods.
- Is there room beside the truck for the truck outriggers (stabilizers) to deploy?
The more good information you have on hand when you make the call, the better the answers you will get and the more likely you will get an accurate quote on the first call.
Blocking any part of the street or sidewalk is a big deal, especially in busy neighbourhoods and major streets. A single call from an upset neighbour and a fast visit from bylaw enforcement could shut your lift down in a matter of seconds and give you fines if you do not immediately comply. These small details could mean extra costs for permits, pay duty police officers, traffic control personnel, and redelivery charges on top of the crane move that you were quoted. Discussing this with an experienced crane operator can help you find answers to these questions upfront and save you a small fortune and a lot of unnecessary stress.
We are now in the digital age, where everyone is walking around with a fairly decent camera in their cell phone. Another good idea or practice is to get some good pictures beforehand that you can email or text to the crane specialist that you are talking with. For a crane specialist, a good shot/picture is defined as wide-angle pictures showing the big picture from different angles or viewpoints so they can see any obvious problems or obstructions. Please note: a picture does not show everything and can give optical allusions. The point of the picture is to make sure everyone is on the same page and to clarify things that are hard to explain or might get lost in translation. Allow the crane specialist to steer you towards any obvious concerns or problems to him, but not to you.
Ready to get a quote?
Call our crane specialists at 416-900-0969
Or fill in our online crane quote form