Using a heavy equipment rental services provider to fill in some of the gaps in the requirements for a construction project is a very useful idea. You do, however, need to ask a few critical questions before you sign off on any agreement.

Moving the Machinery 

One of the most important questions to address early in discussions with an equipment rental company is how the machinery will be moved and at what cost. You can expect something in the neighborhood of $3 per mile to move heavy construction devices, but that can be highly variable. Machines with extreme weights are one factor, as they require heavy trailers and more powerful rigs to move.

Another concern from the perspective of the equipment rental services business is whether a crew will be legally required to follow the moving vehicles due to size, and there also may be concerns about having to move electrical and communication lines in order to get items down the road.

Some lighter equipment, such as bulldozers, may come with the option for you to move it. You should be sure, however, that you have a trailer that's up to the task, as light is only a relative concept in these situations.

Permits and Bonding

If you're moving an equipment rental into an area, you should make a point to ask the municipality about what permits will be required for the job. In some cases, the roads in the region may be bonded, and you'll have to pay up if you intend to move equipment over a specific weight into a construction zone. Get details from the rental firm in order to ensure that you'll be giving local officials an accurate picture.

Establishing Time Frames

Demand for heavy construction equipment rentals can be high, especially during the peak months in the summer. You need to be as clear as possible about what your schedule for your project is in order to avoid taking delivery too soon or inconveniencing other customers by keeping it too long.

Additional Fees

When getting a quote for an equipment rental, be sure that you understand the entire fee structure. For example, if a project goes over on time, what will the per-day cost be for keeping the machine in question be? Some companies also tack on fees to cover insurance, fuel, and environmental considerations, so you should always insist upon getting a detailed quote.