If you’re planning a lifting operation, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to go with a contract lift or a crane hire only service. While both involve the use of a crane and a qualified operator, they differ significantly in terms of responsibility, risk, and legal requirements. In this blog, we break down the key differences to help you choose the right option for your project.

What is Crane Hire Only?

Crane hire only means you’re hiring just the crane and the operator. Everything else – from planning the lift to managing health and safety – is your responsibility. This includes:

• Appointing a qualified person to plan and manage the lift
• Preparing all risk assessments and method statements
• Providing your own slinger/signaller and lift supervisor
• Ensuring the site is suitable and safe for crane operations
• Holding the correct insurance cover, including liability for the lift

This option is often used by construction companies or contractors who already have the right personnel and insurance in place to handle lifting operations safely and legally.

What is a Contract Lift?

A contract lift is a more comprehensive service where Complete Lifting Services takes full control of the lifting operation. We supply not just the crane and operator, but also:

• A qualified appointed person to plan the lift
• Full site assessment and risk management
• Method statements and lift plans
• All necessary personnel, including a lift supervisor and slinger/signaller
• Insurance cover for the crane, the operation, and the lifted goods

This option is ideal for clients who don’t have in-house lifting expertise or want to reduce their liability. It’s also the safer option if the lift is complex, high-risk, or on a restricted site.

Key Differences Explained

In a crane hire only arrangement, you hold full responsibility for planning and executing the lift. If something goes wrong and you can’t demonstrate that your lift was safely planned and executed in line with BS7121 guidelines, you could face serious legal and financial consequences.

In a contract lift, we take on most of the responsibility, meaning your risks are reduced. You’re effectively outsourcing the legal, technical, and safety aspects of the lift to a professional lifting company – which gives you peace of mind and helps ensure compliance.

Which Option Should You Choose?

Ask yourself:

• Do I have the expertise and qualified personnel to manage the lift safely?
• Am I confident in producing a compliant lift plan?
• Do I have adequate insurance cover for the lift and the people involved?

If the answer to any of these is no, then a contract lift is almost certainly the right choice.

Final Thoughts

The choice between crane hire only and contract lift comes down to responsibility. If you’re equipped to manage the entire lifting operation safely and legally, crane hire only could work for you. If you’d rather leave the planning and execution to experienced professionals, a contract lift provides added safety, simplicity, and peace of mind.

At Complete Lifting Services, we offer both options – always with a strong focus on safety and compliance. If you’re unsure which is right for your project, get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to guide you.