What does a lift planner need from you?

Most delays on a lift plan aren't the writing. They come from waiting for information. Send this with your order and you'll usually get your plan back without a single follow-up question.

1. The load

• What it is, with a photo or drawing if you have one
• Weight, ideally from the manufacturer, a delivery note or a drawing. If it's estimated, say so.
• Dimensions, and where the centre of gravity is if it's off-centre
• Lifting points: eyes, lugs, forklift pockets, or "none, needs slinging"

2. The equipment

• Type: mobile crane, HIAB, telehandler, excavator, tower crane and so on
• Make and model, or the hire company, if you know them
• Any lifting accessories you already have: slings, chains, shackles, spreader beams

3. Where it's going

• Where the equipment will set up, and where the load is picked from and landed
• Distances or a marked-up site plan, so we can work out the radius
• Heights: over walls, hoardings, roofs or scaffolds

4. The ground

• What the set-up area is: concrete, tarmac, hardcore, grass or made ground
• Any known voids, services, cellars, drains or recent backfill
• Ground investigation or a bearing pressure, if you have one, for standard and complex lifts

5. What's around it

• Overhead lines, buildings, trees and other cranes
• Roads, footpaths, rail or live traffic, and whether a closure or traffic management is needed
• The public, neighbours and other trades working nearby

6. The people and the day

• Date, time and how long the lift or lifting period lasts
• Who will supervise, operate and sling, if you know
• The principal contractor's own lift plan template or requirements, if they have one

Photos beat paragraphs

Four photos taken from the set-up position, one in each direction, plus one of the load, answer most questions before we ask them.

Order a lift plan

General guidance only. Your lift plan is based on the information you give us, so tell us if anything changes.