Tips for Choosing a Rigger
Remember that the term "rigger" can refer to single riggers or rigging companies.
1) While one rigger may charge you $1000 for a job, another may charge $5000 because there are no set prices in the industry. Compare as many prices as you can between riggers because:
Prices vary by area and state - and most riggers work nationwide - so talk to riggers who are not local. Most riggers are willing to travel to you in order to get the job.
Prices vary by the size of a company, and you get what you pay for. Most well established companies bring lots of experience and the proper equipment to the job, but their prices are often non-negotiable. They're ideal for large jobs because they often own their equipment, and don't include rental fees for items, such as cranes or trucks, in their costs.
Most one-man companies or start-up companies may have more flexible rates. They're ideal for smaller jobs because of their low overhead and/or desire to establish themselves.
2) Consider how valuable and how vital the load is to your business. For safety reasons, a rigger needs:
- Suitable experience - Ask for references and/or job history to make sure that the rigger knows how to move your cargo in the best way possible.
- Proper tools - Ask if the appropriate capacity tools are being used. Inadequate tools are used very often. Tools which are not strong enough to hold the load are a way to damage your cargo and possibly injure nearby individuals.
- Adequate insurance - Ask the rigger for insurance information, such as:
- What the limits are - be sure it financially covers your load.
- If the insurance policy covers accidents in the state(s) where the cargo is being moved. Some insurance policies do not cover every state, so remember to ask about this if your rigger is from a different state, or if your load is moving through a different state. Beware of rigging crews which are flown in from other countries for a job, as they often have NO insurance.
3) Think creatively:
While a single rigger is often cheaper, you might benefit from hiring two riggers if your cargo is crossing a long distance or if you are moving an entire factory. One rigger at the starting place will put the load in place and move it so that another rigger will unload the cargo to position and install it at the ending point.