I’ve learned a tremendous amount in the first three months of starting my crane truck business in the Asheville area of Western North Carolina. Follow along with this Crane Truck Startup series as I share my experiences–the good, the bad, the ups, the downs–while getting my crane truck business off the ground.
For those considering starting a crane truck business, I hope you can build on my experiences and avoid some of my failures. I’ll continue to post behind the scenes updates on building my company in this “Crane Truck Startup” series.
It’s been three months since starting my crane truck business Up! Up! Lifting. While a lot of time and research led up to buying a truck, the actual purchase really marked the business launch point for me. The vehicle and equipment ultimately define the nature and scope of work that can be performed. More on that in moment.
Read more about my crane truck purchase criteria in this earlier article 5 Steps to Start My Trucking Business.
So both trucking and heavy lifting are new to me, I have absolutely everything to learn – licensing, regulations, equipment operation & maintenance, pricing, service offerings, and so much more.
I would image that most people starting a crane truck business won’t have the same handicaps and the complete lack of knowledge that I have, and would probably bring a background in heavy equipment operation, contracting, hauling…something relevant to this industry.
But I hope it’s encouraging to those without relevant equipment and industry experience to know that it is possible. …or at least my terminal optimism at this point is telling that it is!
Regardless of whatever background you’re bringing to the table, it will be put to work. If you not a seasoned crane truck operator or driver, you’re probably starting with skills that they don’t have – be it business, marketing, customer service, sales, whatever. Lean into your strengths, while learning this new trade as fast and thorough as you can.
Now back to defining the equipment capabilities and service offerings that my crane truck could perform.
As soon as I knew the technical specs of the equipment, I went back into the ideation phase, researching the services a crane truck can delivery. I had a great list from my initial research, but now it’s time for blue sky creative exploration again.
