Should crane hire be included in a wind turbine maintenance budget?

The short answer

Include an allowance for the lifting arrangements that the actual maintenance concept may require, even when routine service does not need a crane. Whether crane hire is included in a support offer must be stated explicitly. Compare the cost of completing the service task, not just the technician’s labour line. The required lifting method and frequency depend on the supplied equipment and its service requirements.

Separate routine attendance from major work

A routine visit and a major component exchange can have different equipment, access and mobilisation needs. Treating both as the same annual visit can understate the exposure to occasional large costs. Conversely, assuming a crane for every task can overstate the budget.

Ask which work is included in the provider’s quoted fee and which tasks are assessed separately. Identify the equipment and location assumptions behind those statements. A service agreement for one accessible site does not establish the same all-in cost for a remote or constrained site.

Compare complete illustrative offers

Suppose a fictional task has a labour quote of 600 currency units, lifting of 1,600 and travel of 400. The comparable total is 2,600, before any other stated exclusions. A second fictional offer of 2,200 including those three items is not more expensive merely because its headline exceeds the first labour figure.

These amounts are arithmetic examples, not market prices, MARSTON quotations or a forecast of service cost. The purpose is to keep the scope consistent.

Include preparation and reinstatement where relevant

Cost boundary	Possible separate item
Reaching the site	Transport and mobilisation.
Preparing the work area	Assessed access or temporary-work arrangements.
Completing the technical task	Labour, parts and specified lifting support.
Returning the area to use	Agreed reinstatement work.

Keep emergency callout assumptions distinct from planned work. A realistic budget can then compare alternative service arrangements without implying a universal maintenance price or promising that lifting is always included.