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.
How it typically works
- Gathering load and site information.
- Selecting crane and rigging.
- Calculating capacity and ground pressure.
- Documenting the plan.
- Reviewing with the team.
Before you decide
- Ground conditions affect setup.
- Communication plans are important.
- Accurate load weights matter.
- Plans should be updated if conditions change.
- Critical lifts need extra review.
Local notes for Denver
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 Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Littleton, Arvada, Westminster.
How to prepare your inquiry
- Note any site rules, such as general contractor requirements, safety orientation, insurance certificates or restricted hours.
- Share your preferred dates, working hours and how long you expect to need the equipment or service.
- Tell us who the on-site contact will be on the day of the work.
- 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.
- Include photos of the site and the setup area if you can.
When to keep looking
- Unwillingness to provide insurance certificates or operator qualifications when asked.
- 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 written quote that lists equipment, minimum charges, travel, overtime and cancellation terms.
- Vague answers about equipment inspection and maintenance records.
- Pressure to proceed without a lift plan or site visit on a complex job.
How to vet 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?
People also ask
- Do all lifts need a plan?
- Many companies plan all lifts; complexity varies.
- Who prepares lift plans?
- Often the crane company.
- What is a critical lift?
- A lift with elevated risk, often near capacity or involving multiple cranes.
Related topics
- Construction Lifts: Using cranes for construction projects, scheduling and site coordination, and questions to ask a crane provider.
- Mobile Crane Rental: How mobile crane rental works, crane types and sizing, site requirements and questions to ask a crane company.
- HVAC and Rooftop Unit Lifts: Crane lifts for rooftop HVAC units and equipment, planning and questions to ask a crane company.
Ready to talk to someone about lift planning? Send a short inquiry below and we'll follow up.