Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Estimation and Ordering
- Do you offer free estimates?
- What kind of information do I need to gather before calling to size a crane?
- How far in advance do I need to call to order a crane?
- Who do I call for a crane after hours or in an emergency?
Services
- Do you offer bare rentals?
- What types of rigging come with the machine I'm renting?
- What other types of lifting attachments do you offer?
- Can you order public space permits?
- Can you store items at your location to be shipped to a job later?
- Do you have the ability to transport my storage items?
- Who do I call for a crane after hours or in an emergency?
Equipment
Safety and Training
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Links
- Rent-A-Crane Training
- Arlington Iron Works
- National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Estimation and Ordering
Do you offer free estimates?
Our knowledgeable sales staff consists of dispatchers in our office as well as estimators in the field. Many questions can be answered over the phone, and our sales team will be happy to give you an estimate if possible. Sometimes, however, due to site specific safety concerns, the job needs to be seen and sized by an estimator. Free estimates are available for any jobs that cannot be accurately determined over the phone. We will also give estimates for public space permits, road closures and jobs that require traffic control. Take the guess work out of sizing cranes. To better prepare yourself for sizing a crane over the phone, see our Crane Sizing Guide.
What kind of information do I need to gather before calling to size a crane?
The main things to note when sizing a crane over the phone are as follows:
- What is the weight of the item(s) to be lifted?
- What is the dimensional size of the item(s) to be lifted?
- Where are the rigging points or what is the rigging method? How will we attach to your item(s) to lift them?
- Is any special rigging required?
- What are the physical dimensions of the building or obstruction that we will be lifting over, including
- the distance from the bumper of the crane to the side of the building
- the height of the building
- the distance across the roof of the building
- Do a quick site safety check. Are there any overhead wires, trees, underground utilities, uncompacted soil, or other site specific safety concerns that warrant attention?
- Will the crane be sitting on private property or public property? If the crane will need to setup on public property, we will need to either gain permission to use this property, or in some cases, purchase a permit to sit on the property.
- Where will the crane be traveling? Our larger machines require travel permits to drive in certain areas, and we must make arrangements for this ahead of time.
For more information about estimation, see our Crane Sizing Guide.
How far in advance do I need to call to order a crane?
Crane orders can be placed days or weeks in advance, or even the day of the job, if we have the proper equipment available. To place an order, call our dispatch office at (800) 255-2741 or (703) 550-7097.
Who do I call for a crane after hours or in an emergency?
The after hours phone number is (703) 475-1097. In the case of an emergency, we will do everything we can to dispatch a crane in your time of need.
Services
Do you offer bare rentals?
No. All of our machines come with a crane operator, who also drives the machine to your job site. Bare rental is the rental of a crane without an operator. We do not bare rent our cranes.
What types of rigging come with the machine I'm renting?
All of our cranes are equipped with a basic supply of rigging that will support most everyday lifting tasks. Typically, each crane will have an array of different sizes of web slings, wire rope slings, shackles and hooks. Each crane also has at least one adjustable spreader bar that extends from 8 feet to 13 feet long. In addition, we have rigging in stock to meet most lifting needs. If you have a question about whether we can supply a specific type of rigging, please specify with the dispatcher or estimator and we will check our stock.
What other types of lifting attachments do you offer?
We keep a large array of lifting devices, such as gravel buckets, concrete buckets, trash pans, brick forks, drywall forks, spreader beams, modular lifting devices and an OSHA approved suspended personnel platform. Any of these devices can be added to your order upon request. We will either deliver them to your job for a delivery fee, or you can use them for free with the crane rental if you are able to transport them to and from the job site.
Can you order public space permits?
Yes. For any job that may need a public space permit, our estimator will inspect the scene and inform you of the need. We are able to order these permits directly from the City of Alexandria. When working in Arlington, Washington DC, and some parts of Montgomery County, Maryland, we contract with a permit service to take care of procuring the documents for us, and placing out traffic control when it is necessary.
Can you store items at your location to be shipped to a job later?
Yes. We have a limited amount of short-term storage space at our Lorton, VA location. For more information about storage rates, please call our dispatcher at (800) 255-2741 or (703) 550-7097.
Do you have the ability to transport my storage items?
Yes, dependent upon size and weight. We have a fleet of straight trucks and tractor trailers, including high flat beds, drop decks, detachable drop decks and a stretch trailer, to facilitate your transportation needs. For more information about travel size and weight restrictions, please contact our dispatcher at (800) 255-2741 or (703) 550-7097.
Who do I call for a crane after hours or in an emergency?
The after hours phone number is (703) 475-1097. In the case of an emergency, we will do everything we can to dispatch a crane in your time of need.
Equipment
How new is your fleet of cranes?
We take pride in our machines, not only to keep them looking great, but also to make them last longer. However, the normal life span for cranes in our fleet is no more than 20 years. Currently, over 75% of our fleet is less than 10-years-old and we are running nothing older than 14 years. We believe that reinvestment of funds into equipment purchases is fundamental to sustaining the business.
How often do you inspect your cranes?
Following the federal standard, we complete daily frequent inspections as well as third party annual crane inspections.
Safety and Training
What training do you require of your crane operators?
All of our crane operators are NCCCO certified, unless they are in the process of becoming certified. In addition to the crane operator certification requirement, other requirements for employment include NCCCO Rigger I and Signal Person Certification and DC Operator Licenses. Our training division holds NCCCO preparation classes for Mobile Crane Operator, Signal Person, Rigger I and Rigger II exams. We are also now requiring each employee to be CPR certified.
Do you offer training to other companies?
Yes. Our training division holds preparation classes for those interested. Please visit our training web site for more information.
Cancellation Policy
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations should be made by 2:00 pm the business day before the job for jobs scheduled Monday through Friday. Any jobs scheduled for a weekend should be cancelled by noon on Friday. We can also accommodate work during evening hours for a premium. Any evening jobs must be cancelled by 2:00 pm the day of the job. Late cancellations are subject to a cancellation charge. In the case of inclement weather, i.e. rain, snow, wind or lighting, cancellations should be made before our equipment leaves the yard. There is no charge to cancel due to inclement weather as long as you cancel appropriately. If, in the case of a rain day, you have verified the use of the machine, then cancel once we reach the job, you will be charged a cancellation fee. Please note that we do not accept cancellations over email, fax or voice mail. Call our dispatch office during normal working hours at (800) 255-2741 or (703) 550-7097.
Do you work in the rain?
Yes. We can work in light rain as long as the rain does not pose a safety concern to those working. If, however, the rain becomes heavy and reduces visibility, or if lightning is visible, operations should cease until it is safe to work again. If it is not possible to continue work that day, call our dispatch office at (800) 255-2741 or (703) 550-7097, and we will be happy to reschedule the job.
Do you work in the wind?
Yes, to a point. Wind can also be a hindrance to material handling operations. We will work in windy conditions as long as it is safe to do so. If the wind becomes too strong and causes safety concerns, we may ask to reschedule the job for another day. If you have any concerns about working in the wind, please call our dispatch office at (800) 255-2741 or (703) 550-7097, and we will be happy to reschedule the job.
Payment Terms
Do you offer credit terms to new customers?
Yes. We can process a credit application for new customers who are interested in creating a working relationship with us. To apply for credit, complete the Credit Application and return it via fax, (703) 339-7718, or email.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. We gladly accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit cards for payment. Please note that there is a cash discount that applies when paying by cash or check.
Links
- Rent-A-Crane Training
- Arlington Iron Works
- National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators