Craning supplies onto site

It may be possible to crane in equipment and supplies, but this is an expensive option. Prices depend on the length and complexity of the job, the type of crane hired, how many operators it requires, ground conditions, whether it needs ballast and other considerations. Few crane hire operators are willing to publish prices, preferring that customers get in touch for a bespoke quote, but Synergy Lifting’s online guide outlines some anticipated costs, and the factors that will cause significant variation.

“As with most services, the crane hire cost can vary depending on the time and date of the lifting operations,” it says. “Most crane hires or contract lifts commence at 08:00 and last for either 8 or 10 hours with a half hour lunch break on top of this. Crane hire will attract premium rates on public holidays, weekends or night shifts due to higher labour costs for those involved in the lifting operation. If the time on site runs into overtime, you will often be charged on a pro rata basis unless otherwise specified – eg £500 for 8 hours with overtime charged pro rata would equal £62.50 per hour of overtime.”

Using a crane can also present a logistical challenge. Setting up a crane may require permission – especially if it obstructs or passes over roads or pavements – and will likely only be possible within a limited timeframe. The crane operator sneed to make an application under section 169 of the Highways Act 1980 for a licence if the crane or any associated scaffolding obstructs the highway – or even if it passes over it, whether or not the structure is entirely constructed within your own boundaries.

Don’t put off applying until the last minute. Get Licensed notes that a seven-day licence (which can be extended) costs £280 and takes 15 days to process. It continues, “members of the public can hire the use of cranes from crane operating companies. It is the responsibility of the crane operating company to obtain a crane licence.” Applications are made through your local authority.

Any equipment that needs to be removed from site at the end of the build will probably have to be taken out the same way, although by then, with your extension in place, the reach may need to be further, necessitating a larger, more expensive crane.

A drive-up crane

If you have a drive, investigate local mobile crane hire services. Cranes fixed to the back of a flatbed truck can be driven on site and removed as soon as the lift has been completed, saving you the time involved in erecting a self-supporting crane and, depending where it’s parked, the need to apply for a licence.

However, you’ll need to make sure that the crane doesn’t stray across your neighbours’ boundary line. Tanfield property and real estate barriers says that “a neighbour who goes into the airspace above a person’s land without permission almost always commits a trespass” and points to a past case to illustrate.

In 1987, the High Court heard a case in which the boom of a crane passed over land owned by three neighbouring properties and “the judge decided any projection into the airspace above a neighbour’s property by something fixed to the ground would be a trespass, although different considerations would apply to aircraft and other things flying overhead. It was not necessary to show the interference caused any loss or damage to the landowner and the adjoining landowners were granted an injunction to stop oversailing by the cranes.”

If you do need to lift something over your neighbour’s property, talk to them in advance and ask for permission. You may need to reassure them that there is no chance of anything falling into or onto their plot – and demonstrate that the crane operator is adequately insured.

Access through the house

What can’t be craned in is your workforce. They will need access to the site via your house and, even if they remove muddy boots before entering, this can be a mucky business. Covering carpets, and possibly even walls, with plastic dust sheets, which are inexpensive and easily changed several times during the build, is one solution. You can even get biodegradable sheets to avoid contributing to the plastic waste mountain. Another option is taking up your carpets entirely and budgeting to repaint walls, doorframes and radiators when the project is finished.

However, aside from the additional cost this would entail, and the need to live with dirt and dust in the interim, it is also inconvenient if they need to pass through several times a day. Likewise, you’ll need to leave a key with the team and trust that they’ll follow your rules in your absence if you need to be out at work or want to go on holiday while building continues.

So no, rear access isn’t vital if you’re building a rear extension. There are ways around the problem, even if there aren’t ways around your house. It’s going to require a lot of compromise, though – and it may take a little more time than would otherwise be the case. Factor this, and any associated costs, into your plans.

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