What it is
Tower cranes are erected on site and stay for the length of a building’s structure, typically many months. They suit mid- and high-rise projects and tight urban sites where a crane must cover the whole footprint from one spot. They take far more planning than a mobile crane: an engineered foundation, an assist crane to erect and dismantle them, permits, and often FAA notice. Many Phoenix-area projects, including plenty of mid-rise buildings, are built with mobile cranes instead, so it’s worth comparing both.
Typical specs
- Typical capacity: varies widely by model and configuration; maximum capacity is close to the mast and drops along the jib, so the load at the far end of the jib is much lower
- Typical reach: jib lengths commonly from roughly 100 to over 250 feet, with height set by the mast and any tie-ins to the building
- Setup & transport: delivered in sections on multiple trucks, erected on an engineered foundation with a mobile assist crane, and dismantled the same way at the end of the project
Those are headline figures. A crane’s rated capacity drops sharply as the load moves farther from the crane, so at the radius your job needs it may lift only a fraction of its rated tonnage. The crane company sizes the crane from its load charts using your weight, distances, and site.
What tower cranes are used for
- Mid- and high-rise residential, office, and hotel structures
- Concrete, rebar, formwork, and steel on multi-story buildings
- Tight urban sites with little room for a mobile crane
- Projects needing a crane on site daily for many months
Typical Phoenix and East Valley jobs
- Downtown and midtown residential and office towers
- Mixed-use and student housing projects near campuses
- Large hospital and institutional buildings
- Multi-story projects in dense commercial districts
Shorter structural or equipment jobs usually fit a mobile crane instead. See all-terrain cranes, large cranes (150+ ton), and rough-terrain cranes for cranes that stay on site for weeks.
What does tower crane rental cost?
Tower cranes are rented by the month and quoted per project. The quote usually covers the monthly rental plus separate items such as transport, the foundation and engineering, erection and dismantle with an assist crane, operators, inspections, and permits. Our crane rental cost guide covers long-duration crane pricing in general; for a tower crane, get a written quote based on your drawings and schedule.
What to have ready when you request a quote
Crane companies price a lift from a handful of facts. The more of these you can share, the faster and more accurate your quote:
- The load: what it is, approximate weight, and dimensions. Spec sheets or submittals for HVAC units, generators, or machinery are ideal.
- The pick and set points: where the crane can park, how far horizontally the load has to travel (radius), and how high it needs to go.
- Site conditions: ground surface (paved, compacted, soft dirt), slopes, overhead power lines, trees, and whether the crane would sit on a street or sidewalk.
- Timing: date, start time, and whether the work must happen early morning, at night, or on a weekend.
- Rigging: whether you have rigging and a qualified rigger and signal person, or need the crane company to supply them.
How it works
- Tell us about the lift using the quote form: the load, the reach, the site, and your date.
- We line up the right crew from the vetted, licensed and insured local crane companies we work with — one that handles that type and size of lift in your area.
- You get taken care of The crane company reaches out promptly, usually the same business day, to confirm details, schedule, and quote. You work directly with them, and there’s no fee to you.
Safety and compliance basics
On construction sites, federal OSHA rules for cranes (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) require, among other things, a certified or qualified operator, qualified riggers and signal persons, ground conditions that can support the crane, and specific clearances from energized power lines. In Arizona, workplace safety is administered by ADOSH, which adopts these standards. A reputable crane company will ask about these items up front — that’s a good sign, not red tape.
Lifts that are heavy relative to the crane’s capacity, over occupied areas, or involve multiple cranes often require a written lift plan. Lifts from a public street or sidewalk usually need a right-of-way or street-use permit from the city; the crane company or your general contractor can typically advise on who pulls it.
