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Heavy Construction: Cranes, Excavators and Bulldozers


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Heavy Construction: Cranes, Excavators and Bulldozers

Hi, my name is Richard, and I have an obsession with heavy construction equipment. It all began when I was just a little kid. My dad used to work in construction, and he would sometimes let me visit the site he was working on. I was fascinated by these giant machines that could lift impossible weights, dig massive holes and demolish buildings in the blink of an eye. Even though I didn't go on to work in the construction business myself, I follow the industry very closely. I decided to start a blog so I had somewhere to share my thoughts. I hope you enjoy reading it.

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3 Questions to Ask When Renting Heavy-Duty Equipment

A contractor can easily rent heavy-duty equipment needed for any job, avoiding the long-term cost of ownership, storage, and maintenance while still having excavators, cranes, dozers and whatever else is needed for his or her industry. If you've never rented such equipment before, note a few questions you might ask so you know everything involved with the rental process and don't overlook any important details.

Ask what fuel charges are included in the rental

As with renting a car, you may need to ensure the equipment you use has a full tank before it's returned so you avoid added charges; there may also be additional fuel charges tacked onto your rental agreement before the equipment is delivered. This exact charge amount may not be given to you when you sign the contract as it may vary, according to fuel prices the day of delivery. Whatever the case, be sure you ask about this so you know everything that you'll be facing by way of fuel charges.

Ask if there are limitations to the insurance provided

Since you are usually responsible for any damage to equipment, you need to ensure that you have the right coverage for the equipment. There are usually different forms of insurance available when you rent equipment to cover damage to the equipment itself, damage to your own property, theft and vandalism, but a minimal amount may not be sufficient if the equipment is severely damaged while you use it.

You may also be able to sign a waiver for insurance. But you should consider the financial impact if anything happens to the equipment, especially if it's caused by reckless use, an untrained operator, negligence of the jobsite and so on; your own liability insurance for your company itself may not offer any coverage when renting and using such equipment. Be sure you know the different forms of insurance available and opt for what would work best for your use overall.

Ask about other tools that can be rented

Typically, you'll need some added tools with your heavy-duty equipment, including generators, pressure washers, heaters and ladders or scaffolding to assist with any job. When renting larger equipment, you may get a price break on these other pieces, so don't rent them from any other company until you ask about their availability with your heavy-duty equipment; this can be cheaper and also mean that everything is delivered at one time, from one company, making your job much easier overall.