Thread: Cost of a large crane

There's always a crane big enough, it's just a matter of what you can afford...

The first thing you will need to know if how heavy the granny flat is - to get a quote, a rough idea will do, but before the actual lift, you'll need something more acurate or they may not do the lift or you might find they will need a bigger crane once they arrive - more money.

Other things to consider in the price is cost of road permits to close your street during the lift and traffic control the Council will require you to do to obtain the permit. Unless you can get the whole crane - including outriggers - onto private property.

Also, any power lines or other overhead obstructions in the way?

Finally, how far from where the crane can be situated (remember the outriggers - it may not get as close as you think - to the centre point of the lift.

Once you know all this, call a few crane companies. If there is one close, they may even pop around free of charge to look at the site and give you a quote.

Prices vary a huge amount for some reason - I've used a 20 tonne Franna to shift a 12 tonne genset and been charged $100 - but also for a similar job in a different place $400. I've hired 100 tonne and 200 tonne cranes as well - the 200 tonner, fully counter weighted takes 3 semis of weights and takes 2 hours to set up, but that whole bill can to just under $3,500 which I was surprised about.

you did well for $3500, I had two pieces of plastic pipe lifted up a mine wall, cost me $8800 for 5hrs work including setup!

Yes, I was amazed too. I didn't even get a quote, I just needed a 4.7 tonne genset placed 42 metres from where I could get a crane. It was at full reach and was just setting off his alarm when he was putting it down.

I did take pics but I've got a feeling they were an on old work phone that's gone to God.

It was only 15 minutes from the crane depot though, so start to finish was around 3 hours.

Throwing another suggestion out to you... The cost of hiring a crane, and then purchasing the annex etc.. You'd be well over the $15000 I'm guessing.... Assuming you have access of sorts to the rear (through the house, up the side, neighbours fence etc) $15000 buys a lot of timber, hardy board, insulation, piers, two weeks of tradies and a trench or two... you'd have a very smart annex and one that is 100% what you wanted...

Following on from Sitecs suggestion, there are some great, value for money, kit homes that are really easy to assemble for that money.

This 100T is costing me an arm and a leg this week.

Originally Posted by Sitec

Throwing another suggestion out to you... The cost of hiring a crane, and then purchasing the annex etc.. You'd be well over the $15000 I'm guessing.... Assuming you have access of sorts to the rear (through the house, up the side, neighbours fence etc) $15000 buys a lot of timber, hardy board, insulation, piers, two weeks of tradies and a trench or two... you'd have a very smart annex and one that is 100% what you wanted...

Even from the back yard there is a block of units and no access. I was looking on google street view yesterday and even from the front the power lines are going to be a pain.

Originally Posted by Barefoot Dave

Following on from Sitecs suggestion, there are some great, value for money, kit homes that are really easy to assemble for that money.

If all the panels are man-portable we have thought about this. There is limited access via stairs down the side. I work with large helicopters and we could do this easily with a long line. The tax payer may have something to say and the downwash could be an issue. We are still looking at options.I will have to get some accurate weights and maybe contact some carne people to go and have a look. It may have to wait until we are down there in mid December.