Is crane hire right for me?

If you work in construction, there’s a good chance that you require lifting equipment – such as cranes and hoists – to lift heavy loads safely. Thanks to technological advances, cranes have allowed construction teams to build higher and faster than ever before. But, you’re probably wondering whether you should hire them or purchase them.

Are we right?

The truth is, there are pros and cons to both hiring and buying equipment outright and, nine out of ten times, it depends on several factors, like cost, space and your project.

To help you to decide whether crane hire is the right option for you, or if you should invest in lifting equipment, let’s take a look at the benefits of each.

What are the benefits of crane hire?

There’s no denying that lifting operations can be extremely dangerous if they aren’t properly planned and executed. Which is why many people employ the expertise of a reputable crane hire company, like us at Bryn Thomas Cranes.

Here we explain just some of the reasons why you should (at least) consider hiring equipment:

• Flexibility

There are several types of cranes available – each offering its own lifting capabilities and designed to suit different types of terrain and projects. So, if your business works on various jobs, crane hire could be your best bet as you can swap and change your equipment whenever you need to, ensuring maximum safety and efficiency at all times.

• Industry compliant equipment

We have an extensive fleet of modern cranes at our depot – including everything from city cranes and heavy-duty cranes to mobile tower cranes, self-erecting cranes and telescopic cranes. In hiring one of our machines, you can relax knowing that it is properly maintained, tested and certified, and we work to the terms and conditions of the CPA (Construction Plant Hire Association).

• Affordability

Do you need a crane short-term or for a one-off job? If so, crane hire is ideal. Given that most projects last no more than a couple of weeks, the upfront costs will be significantly cheaper than buying one piece of equipment which, let’s face it, will hardly get used. Of course, the price you pay will depend on how much experience you have and whether you opt for CPA hire or contract lifting, but we pride ourselves on offering affordable rentals, here at Bryn Thomas Cranes.

• No need to worry about storage

While small tools may not be too much of an issue, finding a safe and secure place to accommodate large – not to mention heavy and cumbersome – machinery, can be easier said than done. And that’s the beauty of crane hire. Because you’ll only be using the lifting equipment for a short period of time, you don’t need to think about long-term storage which is great if space is already at a premium.

What are the benefits of buying a crane?

Ok, so buying equipment isn’t for everyone and some companies simply don’t have the budget to invest in state-of-the-art machinery. However, purchasing a crane can be the perfect option for larger, more established, businesses who are keen to take on more work – without skimping on quality, efficiency or safety.

These are just some of the reasons why you might decide to buy lifting equipment instead of hiring:

• Tip top condition

One of the biggest benefits of purchasing equipment is that you’ll receive a brand new machine that has never been used before. This equates to less downtime, repairs and maintenance work as the crane won’t show any signs of wear and tear.

• Cost-effective

If your business relies on a particular piece of lifting equipment (i.e. a mobile crane), buying it can work out much more cost-effective in the long-run. Providing you have the budget in the first place, you won’t need to pay a rental fee every time you use it and you can use it as often as you like.

• Long-term use

Hiring is a viable option when you only need a crane for a short period. But, if you require a crane for a substantial amount of time, it can often be easier to have your own. This way, you can take on more projects at short notice – without turning people away due to a lack of resources and equipment.

Need an expert opinion?

You want to be confident that the crane you choose is up to the job and suitable for your budget. But you also need to be mindful of how much experience you have. Whilst you could buy a crane and plan the lift yourself, you need to make sure that everything runs smoothly and safely. If you’ve never used or hired a crane in the past, it may be preferable to arrange a contract lift. This is where the crane company will take care of every aspect on your behalf.

If you’re still torn between buying and hiring a crane, it’s worth consulting a specialist. And who better than the team, here at Bryn Thomas Cranes?

Get in touch

As a leading independent mobile crane hire company, we know everything there is to know about cranes and will be more than happy to share our expertise.

If you have any questions about our fleet or would like to know more about our crane hire service, please feel free to call us on 01352 733 984 today.

Our cranes are available to hire all year round so, no matter where in the UK you are based and how big or small your project, we are confident that we can accommodate your needs.