Home / Roof truss crane in Homestead, FL
Roof truss crane in Homestead, FL
Setting trusses on a new home, addition or shed? Here's what the crane operator needs to know, what complicates truss sets in South Dade, and the questions worth asking before set day.
Free referral service, not a crane company. Your request goes to one local crane operator, who quotes you directly.
What to have ready before you request a quote
- The truss package. The number of trusses, longest span, and any girder trusses. The truss supplier's layout sheet usually lists these. Bring it.
- Wall height and building footprint. How tall the walls are and how wide the building is set the reach the crane needs.
- Delivery plan. When the trusses arrive and where they'll be stacked. Stacking them within reach of the crane's setup spot can save a lot of time.
- Where the crane can set up. Is there a compacted pad, driveway or road on the side the trusses are going? Is there an empty lot next door?
- Your crew. How many framers will be on the walls to catch, brace and fasten? Truss sets are paced by the crew.
- Your date and a few site photos. Include the street, the lot, and any overhead wires.
Access issues that come up in South Dade
Overhead power lines. Many Homestead and Redland streets have service drops and pole lines running over driveways and front yards. Ask the operator: Where would you set up, and how far would the boom stay from the lines? Do the lines need to be covered or de-energized by FPL first, and who arranges that?
Soft or wet ground. South Dade has high water tables, rock-and-marl fill, and lawns that stay soft after summer rain. Septic tanks and drain fields under the yard matter too. Ask: Can the crane set up on the street or driveway, or does it need the yard? Will you bring outrigger mats? What happens if it rains the day before?
Narrow streets, gates and trees. Gated communities, cul-de-sacs, canal lots and big mango or oak canopies can limit where a crane parks. Ask: Do you need to see the site first? Do I need HOA or gate approval for the truck?
Unfinished lots. New builds in Homestead and Redland often have fresh fill, open trenches or a slab with no driveway yet. Ask: Is the ground where you'd set up firm enough now, or should we add rock before set day?
Questions to ask the operator
- What crane size and setup spot do you recommend for this truss span and building width?
- Is the price for a set number of hours? How long do you expect the set to take with my crew size?
- Do you bring spreader bars or tag lines, and who rigs each truss?
- Do you need a signal person from my crew?
- Is a street-use permit needed if the crane sets up on the road, and who pulls it?
- Can you send a certificate of insurance to me or my general contractor before set day?
- What's your plan if the trusses are delivered late?
Plan around the weather
Trusses act like sails, so wind limits for truss sets can be lower than for compact loads. Ask the operator about their wind limits, and keep an eye on afternoon storms in the summer. Ask about their rescheduling policy before you book.
Ready for a quote?
Fill in the short form on the homepage. One local operator gets your request and contacts you by phone call or email about it. No automated texts or calls.
Get a truss-set quoteQuestions
Do I need a crane to set roof trusses?
Not always. Small, light trusses are sometimes set by hand. Longer spans, two-story walls or heavy girder trusses usually call for a crane or boom truck. Share your truss package and the operator will recommend a machine.
What info does the operator need for a truss quote?
The number of trusses, the longest span, wall height, building width, where the crane can set up, where the trusses will be stacked, and your date.
Should trusses be delivered before the crane arrives?
Usually, yes. Ask the operator where they want the trusses stacked so they can reach them from the setup spot.
What if my lot is soft or has fresh fill?
Tell the operator and send photos. Ask whether you should add rock or use mats under the outriggers before set day.
Is a permit needed?
It depends on the job and where the crane sets up. Ask the operator and your contractor which permits apply and who pulls them. This page is not legal or permitting advice.
How many companies get my request?
One. Your request goes to a single local operator, who contacts you by phone call or email about this request only.
Does it cost me anything to request a quote?
No. Requesting a quote is free and you are not obligated to hire anyone. The operator sets their own price.