No publisher we found gives a Chicago crane rate. National price guides do publish hourly and daily figures, and they disagree with each other, so below each figure carries the name of the publisher. What sets your price is the size of crane the lift needs, the hours on site, travel and any City permits.
Every dollar figure on this page is a national figure from the publisher named next to it, and none of them is a quote from us. The publishers disagree, sometimes by a lot, so we show each one separately instead of mixing them into one range. None of them gives a Chicago crane rate. In Chicago, City crane and street permits, tight set-up spots and travel time can add costs a national average does not show. Figures read in October 2026.
How much does it cost to rent a crane in Chicago?
Renting a crane costs from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars a day, depending on the crane and the job, by national price guides. BigRentz's 2026 guide gives $200 to $1,000 per hour and $1,500 to $10,000 per day in its FAQ. Bigge says crane rental prices typically range from $300 to $1,500 per hour. Neither is a Chicago figure, and neither is our price.
How much is a crane per hour?
A crane runs from about $150 an hour for a small crane alone to $1,200 or more for a large one with an operator, by BigRentz's 2026 national figures. Here are its hourly ranges:
| Crane | Crane only, per hour | With operator, per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $150 to $350 | $200 to $450 |
| Mid-size mobile | $250 to $600 | $400 to $750 |
| Large | $400 to $1,200+ | $750 to $1,200+ |
| Crawler | $300 to $1,500 | Not given |
ThePricer, updated November 2025, puts an operated truck or all-terrain crane at $300 to $1,500 per hour.
How much is a crane per day?
A crane costs about $300 to $600 per day for a small one and $2,000 or more for a large one, crane only, by BigRentz's 2026 national figures. Its mid-size mobile range is $800 to $1,500 per day. ThePricer gives a US daily rate of $800 to $1,500. Bigge says a small rough terrain or boom truck crane runs $300 to $600 per day, and a large all-terrain or crawler can exceed $2,000 per day.
| Crane, by tonnage | Per hour | Per day | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ton | $150 to $300 | $800 to $3,500 | BigRentz |
| 100 ton | $250 to $600 | $1,500 to $3,500 | BigRentz |
| 200 ton | $500 to $1,000 | $2,500 to $12,000 | BigRentz |
| 500 ton | $1,685 | $6,000 to $13,300+ | BigRentz |
What are weekly and monthly crane rental rates?
No publisher we found gives weekly dollar rates. LegalClarity, citing Maxim Crane Works, says a weekly rate works out to about 20% less per day than the daily rate. For monthly bare rentals, LegalClarity, citing Bigge, lists $7,000 to $50,000 per month for a rough terrain crane and $15,500 to $90,000 for a crawler. BigRentz puts a tower crane at $15,000 to $60,000 per month. Long rentals like these are for construction sites, not single lifts.
Does the price include the operator?
Sometimes it does and sometimes it does not, so check the quote. BigRentz lists separate crane-only and with-operator rates and says to add $50 to $150 per hour for the operator. Other publishers quote operated rates that already include the operator. In Chicago, the operator on permitted work must hold a City crane operator license, so most lifts for homeowners and small contractors are operated rentals.
Is there a minimum charge?
Yes, most crane companies charge a minimum. BigRentz says the daily minimum is three to eight hours. ThePricer says minimums of 4 to 8 hours are common for truck and all-terrain cranes. So a lift that takes one hour can still be billed as four or more. ThePricer gives an example of a short urban pick under two hours billed at $1,140, because of a four-hour minimum plus a set-up fee.
Do you charge for travel time?
Most crane companies do bill for travel. ThePricer says most bill portal to portal, which means the clock starts when the crane leaves the yard and stops when it gets back. LegalClarity, citing MYCRANE, says mobilization and demobilization can add 25% to 40% to a quote. BigRentz gives no dollar figure for transport. Ask how travel is counted before you sign.
How much does a crane cost for an HVAC unit?
A crane for a rooftop HVAC unit costs from about $1,200 to several thousand dollars, depending on the publisher and the job. PickHVAC (May 2026) puts the crane lift and city permits at $2,000 to $8,000 as an add-on to a rooftop unit replacement, and $3,000 to $12,000 for a 20-ton unit lift with a curb and temporary supports. ThePricer gives one example of about $1,200 all-in for a rooftop swap with a 35-ton boom truck. BigRentz says HVAC crane service runs from the low thousands to several thousand dollars per day.
How much does crane tree removal cost?
Crane-assisted tree removal often costs several thousand dollars, and the published figures vary widely. ArboStar (July 2026) says most residential crane removals run $3,500 to $8,000, with very large trees at $6,000 to $15,000 or more. Bob Vila (2023) gives $1,000 to $2,000 for a tree over 80 feet with a crane. HomeAdvisor (June 2026) calls the crane a $500 line item. BigRentz says crane tree removal costs several thousand dollars. See the tree removal guide for more.
How much does a crane cost for a hot tub?
Crane delivery of a hot tub runs $800 to $1,500, and large tubs or long reaches can push it to $2,500, by HomeAdvisor's June 2026 national figures. HomeAdvisor says the crane is usually not included in the price of the tub. On a Chicago lot, the reach over a bungalow or a two-flat is usually what decides the cost.
How much does a boom truck cost?
A boom truck costs about $100 to $300 per hour by ThePricer's national figures. LegalClarity gives $100 to $200 per hour and $800 to $1,600 per day, but it cites a forum, which is a weak source. Bigge puts a small rough terrain or boom truck crane at $300 to $600 per day.
What makes a crane job cost more?
The size of crane the lift needs is what drives the price most, and the reach decides the size as much as the weight does. Other things that add to the cost:
- A long reach, such as over a two-flat to the back yard, which needs a bigger crane.
- A heavy load or heavy rigging.
- Travel time, if the company bills portal to portal.
- City permits and street or sidewalk closures.
- Waiting time when the load or the other trades are not ready.
- Weekend, night or overtime hours.
- Soft ground or a finished surface that needs mats.
How much do crane permits and street closures cost in Chicago?
Chicago street permit fees are set by CDOT's 2025 fee schedule, which has no separate line for cranes. A full sidewalk closure costs $1.00 per foot per month outside the Central Business District and $2.00 inside it. A full street closure has an application fee of $154.39 on residential or arterial streets and $308.77 in the Central Business District, and a partial closure costs $22.05. Occupy permits come in 30-day blocks. The Department of Buildings crane permit is separate. Nationally, ArboStar puts a road or right-of-way crane permit at $100 to $500.
What about overtime, weekend and night rates?
Overtime is typically billed at 1.5 times the normal rate, with double time on holidays and weekends, according to LegalClarity citing Bigge. Each company sets its own rules, so ask. In Chicago, work on arterial streets is limited outside rush hours, and some lifts are planned early or on weekends for that reason, which can change the rate.
Want a price for your own lift? Tell us what needs to move, roughly how heavy it is and where the crane could set up, and we will send a written quote with the crane size, the hours and the price. Call or text (312) 964-8313.