There is no useful universal price per item
Ten identical slings presented together are different from ten cranes spread across several buildings. An accurate quote considers time, competence, access, travel and reporting—not only the number of lines on a register.
Very low headline prices can exclude attendance, difficult access, documentation or equipment that falls outside a narrow category. Compare scope as well as total cost.
The information that improves a quote
Send the clearest asset list available, even if it needs updating. Photos and previous reports help identify unfamiliar or bespoke equipment before the visit.
- Number and type of assets
- Site address and number of work areas
- Capacity, size and unusual configurations
- Access, isolation and operator requirements
- Previous reports and known defects
- Required attendance date and shutdown window
How preparation controls cost
Equipment that is present, clean, identifiable and accessible can be examined efficiently. Time is lost when assets cannot be found, keys are missing or production cannot release the equipment.
Grouping nearby sites and aligning due dates may reduce repeated travel, but intervals should not be extended simply for convenience.
What a proper quotation should make clear
The quotation should identify the inspection basis, expected equipment, attendance assumptions, reporting and any exclusions. Ask how additional assets or aborted access will be handled.
The cheapest visit is not good value if the resulting report is unclear or the scope does not match the statutory duty. A usable record is part of the service, not an optional extra.
Authoritative guidance
For the legal framework and regulator guidance, refer to the HSE guide to thorough examinations and inspections of lifting equipment.