Crane job cost calculator

Add up what the job costs you: the crane bill (billed hours times the crane rate, plus any delivery fee), your crew hours times loaded labor cost, rigging and ground protection, other equipment, disposal, fuel, permits and traffic control. Add your overhead share. That is break-even. Then divide by one minus your target margin to get the price. This tool does those steps with your own numbers.

It depends on the crane size, your area and whether an operator is included. Rates vary a lot, so call your local crane companies and get a written rate. The rate in this tool is only a starting point. Change it to the rate you are quoted.

Many crane companies charge for a minimum number of hours, even if the job takes less. If the minimum is 4 hours and you only need the crane for 2, you still pay for 4. This tool bills the larger of the minimum or the hours you actually use.

Often, yes. Some crane companies bill from the time the crane leaves the yard until it gets back. Others charge a flat delivery or setup fee. Ask your crane company how they bill, then enter crane travel hours, a flat fee, or both.

This tool treats the crane bill like any other job cost, so your overhead percent and margin apply to it. That covers the risk you take on: if the job runs long, you still owe the crane company. If you pass the crane cost through at cost, your margin on the job will be lower.

Because the crane, the operator and your whole crew are all on the clock at once. The tool shows the cost of one extra hour so you can decide how much buffer to build in, or how to word an hourly clause in your quote.

It depends on your town and whether the crane or the drop zone takes up a street, sidewalk or lane. Some places need a street use permit, a lane closure plan or flaggers. Check with your city or county before you quote. Short explanation, not legal advice.

Things like ground protection mats, extra slings and rigging gear wear, and the time and cost to set up outriggers on soft ground or over a lawn. Use whatever you spend on a typical crane setup.

No. It is an estimate built from the numbers you typed. Check the site first: crane access, ground conditions, power lines, the pick weights and the drop zone. Then write your quote. You can use our estimate template for that.

No. The math runs in your browser. Your numbers are only kept in this browser on this device so the form is filled in next time. Clear your browser data to remove them.