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whsl1975

By whsl1975
in General Message Board

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whsl1975 Drive By Register

whsl1975

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I currently do really small installs I can handle myself and base construction, but am looking to get into larger install projects.My biggest question for the moment is whether to purchase a crane truck or to continue using the local crane and rigging company. When I factor in costs associated with owning and operating the crane it seems to make sense continuing to sub out my lifting requirements, but is it really?Help please.

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Erik Sine Master Engineer

Erik Sine

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Welcome William!

I think like all tools, they will help you expand and take you where you want to go. For many years I subbed out installs that were to high and router work that was too time consuming or didn't make sense to do by hand based on my capacity. One day I bought a lift truck and not only was I doing my own work but others as well and filling in that time between jobs. I wasn't dependent on someone Else's schedule anymore, If I needed to be there after hours, on the weekend, longer it wasn't a factor anymore (especially when you have a crew of guys waiting), same goes for router work I would need. After getting my own CNC table I could to anything at anytime and I wasn't late and didn't have to pay someone else to do my work, the profit was now more lien. Again, I was also doing others people's jobs, not just mine. $125 an hour to sit by the router watching it do all the work s a GOOD thing.

Then flip side of the coin is the maintenance on the trucks I'm sure, insurance etc. I don't use my lift truck anymore it's rusting away, I've downsized over tha last few years and prefer to be a one man show for the most part. When I need a lift for simple stuff I simple drop by my local Home Depot and pick up a towable lift for $175 a day. If I owned a trailer version I wouldn't have to worry about Auto Ins or Auto mechanics. So many variables. If you want to grow, I think you should look at getting your own, they are cheap right now, alot of people can't even give the trucks away.

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. - Winston Churchill

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whsl1975 Drive By Register

whsl1975

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I think I have to agree with you. I need to get a crane of my own so I am not at the mercy of the subs I use.Next steop is locating one.Up here in Vancouver there are very few easily found,and I'm not even sure where to start with the hard to find sources.

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MattC1522 Floor Sweeper

MattC1522

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The main thing other than the cost of the truck to look out for is insurance on the vehicle, liability insurance and workers compensation insurance that go along with it. Sign installation and service can be dangerous work and you certainly have to pay for it for insurance. Just be sure to research this in great detail when seeing if doing the work yourself will save you enough.

The good thing about owning a good lift is that if business gets slow you can always find service work to help pay for it.

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