Overview
A lift plan documents how a lift will be performed: load weight, rigging, crane configuration, radius, setup location, ground conditions and personnel. For complex or critical lifts, detailed plans are standard practice.
Critical lifts may include lifts near capacity, tandem lifts, lifts over occupied areas or lifts of high-value equipment.
Good planning reduces risk and surprises on lift day.
The usual process
- Calculating capacity and ground pressure.
- Gathering load and site information.
- Reviewing with the team.
- Selecting crane and rigging.
- Documenting the plan.
Things worth considering
- Accurate load weights matter.
- Ground conditions affect setup.
- Critical lifts need extra review.
- Communication plans are important.
- Plans should be updated if conditions change.
Local notes for Colorado's Front Range
Wind along the Front Range, especially near the foothills, can affect crane operations, and lifts are postponed when conditions exceed limits. Altitude does not change crane load charts, but weather windows and ground conditions after snowmelt matter.
We take inquiries from Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo.
Getting ready to reach out
- Tell us who the on-site contact will be on the day of the work.
- Include photos of the site and the setup area if you can.
- Describe the job site: address or nearest cross streets, access route, ground conditions and any overhead lines, trees or structures.
- Share your preferred dates, working hours and how long you expect to need the equipment or service.
- Mention whether you need an operator, rigging, delivery, permits or traffic control, or plan to handle those yourself.
- Note the lift height, reach or pour distance needed, measured from where the equipment would set up.
- List the heaviest and largest items or loads, with approximate weights and dimensions, or share the equipment spec sheet.
Warning signs
- No questions about loads, ground conditions or site access before quoting.
- Dismissing wind, weather or ground concerns rather than explaining how they will be managed.
- Quotes that change significantly on the day without a clear reason.
- No clear answer about who is responsible for permits, traffic control or site preparation.
- Vague answers about equipment inspection and maintenance records.
- Pressure to proceed without a lift plan or site visit on a complex job.
- Unwillingness to provide insurance certificates or operator qualifications when asked.
Questions to ask a provider
- Do you provide lift plans?
- What info do you need?
- Is my lift considered critical?
- Who reviews the plan?
- How are changes handled?
Common questions
- What is a critical lift?
- A lift with elevated risk, often near capacity or involving multiple cranes.
- Do all lifts need a plan?
- Many companies plan all lifts; complexity varies.
- Who prepares lift plans?
- Often the crane company.
Related topics
- HVAC and Rooftop Unit Lifts: Crane lifts for rooftop HVAC units and equipment, planning and questions to ask a crane company.
- Mobile Crane Rental: How mobile crane rental works, crane types and sizing, site requirements and questions to ask a crane company.
- Steel Erection: Crane support for steel erection, coordination and safety, and questions to ask.
Tell us a little about what you need, and we'll get back to you about lift planning.