Should You Choose Wet or Dry Hire for Your Major Construction Project?
If you have a significant construction project in front of you, you may be responsible for sourcing the most appropriate crane and complying with a set budget. These restrictions can make your job a lot harder, and you must always ensure that you comply with various rules and restrictions along the way. So, if you've never been in this position before, you may have to hire a crane for a lot of the heavy-duty work. Should you simply outsource this entire operation to a third-party company or take on a lot of responsibility and thereby save costs? What are your options?
Wet Versus Dry
In essence, you're faced with the options of a 'dry' or a 'wet' contract. This means that you can just secure the machinery and take care of the rest yourself or get another company to provide the crane, together with the operator.
Down to Details
If you choose the dry option, you will need to study the contract's small print carefully. The crane supplier will place a lot of responsibility on your head, and you need to ensure that you are fully protected in the event of an issue.
Repairs
Will you be responsible for any repairs to the crane in the event of a lengthy contract term? Some companies specify that you will need to call out their mechanics if the crane breaks down on site. Others may define that you call a technician from a shortlist of accepted companies. Failure to comply here could lead to a significant bill for the damages from the crane's owner.
Servicing
You may also be required to service the crane in line with manufacturer recommendations. This may not be necessary in the event of a short-term agreement but may be pertinent if your work will take a long time.
Insurance
Sometimes, the crane will be insured by the owner, but you may need to provide additional coverage. Talk this through carefully with your insurance broker so that you are covered in every eventuality. You also need to ensure that the crane owner is named as an 'additional insured' within the body of the policy. In the event of a claim, they want to know that they are protected from any liability.
Operator
You will almost certainly need to provide a qualified and experienced person to operate the crane. Be prepared to show the crane supplier the relevant details if they ask, but it will be your responsibility to control access on-site in any case.
Next Steps
While there may undoubtedly be savings involved when you choose a dry versus wet hire, always ensure that you read the agreement carefully and that you can cover all the responsibilities. If in doubt, reach out to the dry hire crane provider for their help.
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