Chicago, IL · Residential & commercial
Crane service in Chicago, with the lift planned before the crane shows up.
Crane rental with an operator, rooftop HVAC and equipment lifts, steel and materials lifts, crane-assisted tree removal and rigging across Chicago and nearby suburbs. Free estimates and written quotes.
What we lift
Crane services
Tell us what needs to go up, come down or move, how heavy it is and where the crane can park. We look at the site and quote the right size of crane in writing.
Crane rental with operator
A crane with an operator and crew, by the hour or by the job.
Mobile & truck cranes
Truck-mounted and all-terrain cranes that drive to the site and set up fast.
Rooftop HVAC & equipment lifts
AC units, rooftop units, generators and tanks lifted onto and off roofs.
Steel erection & structural lifts
Beams, columns, trusses and steel set in place for builders.
Crane-assisted tree removal
Large or tight-spot trees taken down in sections and lowered by crane.
Machinery rigging & moving
Machines and heavy equipment rigged, lifted and moved.
Modular, precast & materials placement
Modular units, precast pieces, containers and pallets of material set where they go.
Boom truck service
Boom trucks for lighter lifts, signs, glass and deliveries.
The Chicago Crane Company provides crane rental with an operator, mobile and truck cranes, rooftop HVAC and equipment lifts, steel and structural lifts, crane-assisted tree removal, machinery rigging, precast and materials placement, and boom truck service. We work for homeowners, HVAC and roofing contractors, builders and businesses in Chicago and the nearby suburbs.
Most lifts here start with a tight site. The load is behind a two-flat, on a flat roof, or past a gangway too narrow to carry it through. The crane may have to work from the street or the alley, and that can mean City permits. Near O'Hare and Midway, airspace rules can apply too.
Each job starts with a look at the load and the site. We ask what needs to move, how heavy it is and where the crane can set up, then work out the right size of crane for the lift. You get a written quote. Before lift day, we check which street, sidewalk or airspace permits the lift needs.
How it works
- Free site lookCall, text or send photos. We look at the load, the access and where the crane can set up.
- Lift plan & written quoteCrane size, crew, time on site and price in writing.
- Permits & set-upWe check which street, sidewalk or airspace permits the lift needs before the day.
- Lift dayThe crew sets up, rigs the load, makes the lift and packs up.
Service areas
Chicago and the surrounding towns
Don't see your town? Call us. We likely cover it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crane cost in Chicago?
National guides give a wide range: BigRentz lists $200 to $1,000 per hour and $1,500 to $10,000 per day, and Bigge says $300 to $1,500 per hour. They are not our quotes. Crane size, hours, travel and permits set your price, so we quote in writing.
What size crane do I need?
It depends on the load's weight, how far the crane has to reach from its set-up spot and how high. Reach often matters more than weight. We work it out from the load chart.
Do I need a permit for a crane in Chicago?
Yes. The Department of Buildings requires a separate permit before a crane is used, and a crane in the street or on the sidewalk may need CDOT permits too.
Can a crane lift a hot tub or an AC unit over my house?
Usually, if the crane can set up close enough and the weight at that reach is within its load chart. People stay out of the area under the load during the lift.
Does a crane operator need a license in Chicago?
Yes. Chicago requires a City crane operator license for work that needs a building permit, plus a national certification. Ask any crane company to show the license card.
Does a crane near O'Hare or Midway need FAA notice?
It may. The notice rule uses a slope that rises from each runway out to about 3.8 miles, so even a short crane nearby can need notice on FAA Form 7460-1, filed at least 45 days ahead.
Do I need a permit to put a crane on the street?
Often, yes. Parking a crane, its outriggers or a lane closure on a public street or sidewalk usually needs a permit. We check before lift day.
Do you send an operator with the crane?
Yes. Our crane service comes with an operator, and the crew rigs and signals the lift.
Can a crane lift a hot tub, a beam or an AC unit over my house?
Usually, if the crane can set up close enough and the reach and weight are within its chart. We check on site.
Crane questions, answered
Straight answers on cost, repairs, permits, neighbors and choosing a contractor in Chicago.
Ready to get started?
Free estimate and a written quote. Call us or send the form.