From a beam that opens up a greystone's first floor to steel for a new rear addition, structural lifts here often happen on narrow lots. The builder's weights and pick order shape the crane plan.
Steel erection means setting beams, columns and trusses in place for a building or a renovation. On a Chicago job, that might be a long steel beam that opens up the first floor of a greystone, steel for a new rear addition, or framing for a mid-rise. The crane holds each piece while the ironworkers or the builder's crew bolt or weld it, so the lift has to match their pace.
Structural lifts need a plan before the crane shows up. The builder or engineer gives the weight and length of each piece, where it lands, and the order of picks. We check the reach and the load chart for the heaviest pick at its farthest point, then add the weight of the rigging. Tag lines keep long pieces from spinning in the lake wind.
Steel for an interior beam often goes in through a window opening or the roof, which means a precise pick close to the building. On a narrow city lot, the crane may sit in the alley with only a few feet to spare. Tell us how the steel is arriving, so the truck and the crane are not fighting for the same space.
Steel erection & structural lifts in Chicago: common questions
Can a crane put a steel beam into a house?
Often, yes. The beam can be set through an opening in the wall or the roof, with the crew inside guiding it. It takes careful planning on a tight lot.
What do you need from the builder?
The weight and length of each piece, where it lands, the order of picks and when the steel arrives. With that, we can size the crane and plan the day.
Who bolts or welds the steel?
The ironworkers or the builder's crew. The crane holds and sets each piece while they make the connections.
How it works
- Free site look: Call, text or send photos. We look at the load, the access and where the crane can set up.
- Lift plan & written quote: Crane size, crew, time on site and price in writing.
- Permits & set-up: We check which street, sidewalk or airspace permits the lift needs before the day.
- Lift day: The crew sets up, rigs the load, makes the lift and packs up.