Andy,
We estimate crane rental costs for each job and charge accordingly. I'm a little confused about whether you figure crane rental as a job cost or fixed overhead. For us it is a job cost as some projects need a 15 ton boom truck for 3 hrs and some need a 60 tonner for a few days.
I think there is another solution to the rush on raising day that you are experiencing. I would simply increase the crane budget for each job to the point where you can work at the pace you are comfortable with. The quality of your frame and the safety of your crew depend on it. This is just a bad place to try to shave your price down--way too dangerous.
I have never been interested in owning or operating a crane. For one thing, you lose a member of your crew to become the operator -- usually either you or one of your best guys. You also have to think about the training costs involved there. Secondly, I can't imagine what that would do to your liability insurance -- it makes me cringe to think about it. Thirdly, I generally like to work with really good crane operators and I don't think I would be as good as the guys I use who sit in that seat 40 hours a week. Fourthly, I don't want to spend my time and money maintaining, repairing, fueling, insuring, purchasing, obtaining licenses and inspections, etc. The crane company I use has great insurance and frequently inspected and well-maintained equipment that has to cost a fortune.
As for moving stuff around onsite, we generally include the rental cost of a telehandler in each job (if there isn't one already on the job.) Those things are great to have around. I think this is pretty standard.
The best thing we've done as far as getting crane costs down is to become better at working with them. The Guild is a great resource for this. I have learned a ton from going to Guild events. They have also been doing a workshop on working with cranes the day before the conference the last couple of years.
One of our biggest problems used to be finding ourselves running behing and not ready for the crane when it showed up. That's just too expensive and too stressfull. You are already behind when you start. Give yourself plenty of time to do the prep work.
Ans don't forget it's just money. You've got a ton of work in cutting the frame -- don't let $150 keep you from getting it right. If the budget is that tight it's too late anyway and you might as well at least be happy with your work.
All the best,
Gabel
