HIAB Deliveries And Crane Assisted Transport.

Thinking Ahead: What to Know Before Your Portable Building Delivery Of course, you're looking forward to the delivery of your new portable building — but it’s important to understand some of the practicalities involved in crane-assisted transport before the big day arrives. Crane-assisted transport, often using HIAB lorries, is a specialist operation that requires careful planning. These vehicles are already extremely heavy, and when you add the mounted crane and your building on top, you’re looking at a substantial combined weight. That’s why our hauliers will not and cannot drive over soft ground — no matter how dry it looks on the day. We often get asked if we can deliver across grass, fields, or other non-paved surfaces, but unfortunately, the answer is always a firm no. Even if the weather seems fine, a sudden downpour can quickly turn seemingly solid ground into a recovery nightmare. For safety and stability, deliveries must be made onto hard-standing surfaces such as concrete, tarmac, or reinforced gravel. So, if you’re not sure whether your site is suitable for delivery, please speak to us in advance. We’ll help assess your access and avoid any unexpected problems on the day.

🚧 Site Considerations for Delivery & Collection If collection is ever required in the future, please consider that poor initial positioning could make your unit completely inaccessible. That’s why careful planning before delivery is essential. ✅ Soft Ground Is a Risk Placing your unit on soft ground (e.g. grass or soil) is technically possible, but only if the crane-assisted transport vehicle remains on hardstanding throughout. This means no driving over lawns or gravel driveways — regardless of the weather or how firm the ground seems at the time. To prevent the unit from sinking or becoming unstable, we strongly recommend using concrete pads or industry-standard jack pads beneath the corners. This provides a solid, level base and avoids long-term issues like subsidence or tilting. 🏡 Residential Streets Pose Challenges Deliveries to tight residential roads can be especially tricky — both for access in and manoeuvring out. Narrow streets, parked cars, and tight corners can limit access for a HIAB crane lorry, which typically measures around 10 metres in length. 🔌 Overhead Hazards Must Be Flagged We absolutely need to be made aware of any site obstructions, especially: Overhead power lines Telephone cables Low-hanging branches Close proximity to pylons or substations We’ve seen deliveries delayed or cancelled entirely due to dangerous proximity to high-voltage power lines. These are not just operational challenges — they pose real safety risks. 📝 RAMS and Lift Plans Every delivery involving crane work is carefully planned and assessed. We’ll provide a full RAMS document (Risk Assessment & Method Statement) or a dedicated lift plan, depending on the complexity of your delivery. These documents are essential, not just for health and safety compliance, but to ensure everyone involved understands: The method of delivery and crane positioning Site-specific risks and how they’ll be mitigated Your responsibilities as the site contact or client ✅ Final Tip Talk to us early. The more we know about your site, the smoother the delivery. Photos, videos, or even a quick chat can help avoid costly delays or failed deliveries.