How much does crane rental cost in the Rio Grande Valley?
Crane prices are quoted per hour with an operator, plus a minimum number of hours, travel, permits and extra crew. Here are real published Texas rates so you know what to expect before you call.
Independent referral service. Border Quotes is not a contractor and does not own equipment or employ crews. We connect you with independent local companies, who quote and do the work directly.
These are not quotes. Both sources are Texas crane companies outside the Rio Grande Valley (San Antonio/Austin and the Dallas area). We show them only as typical reference prices. Companies in the Valley set their own prices, which may be higher or lower. We checked both documents on October 22, 2026.
Source 1: Alamo Crane Service rate sheet (effective March 24, 2025)
Hydraulic cranes with certified operators, San Antonio and Austin. View the PDF.
| Crane | Boom | Per hour | Minimum hours | Road permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 ton | 63 ft | $125 | 1 + travel | — |
| 30 ton | 104 ft | $187 | 2 + travel | — |
| 40 ton | 105 ft | $198 | 3 + travel | — |
| 60 ton | 110 ft | $231 | 3 + travel | $175 |
| 80 ton | 126 ft | $282 | 4 + travel | $175 |
| 100 ton | 140 ft | $316 | 4 + travel | $175 |
| 120 ton | 171 ft | $376 | 6 + travel | $175 |
Alamo also lists certified riggers and signal persons at $100/hr, lift plans from $300, crane mats at $55/day each and crew travel at $80/hr per person.
Source 2: North Texas Crane Service 2025 rate sheet
Hydraulic cranes with operator, Lewisville (Dallas–Fort Worth area). View the PDF.
| Crane | Boom | Per hour | Minimum hours | Road permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 ton boom truck | 70 ft | $155 | 3 | $52.45 |
| 30 ton boom truck | 102 ft | $175 | 4 | $65 |
| 40 ton | 95 ft | $205 | 4 | $65 |
| 50 ton | 110 ft | $225 | 4 | $65 |
| 60 ton | 110 ft | $250 | 4 | $125 |
| 80 ton | 128 ft | $330 | 4 | $125 |
| 100 ton | 164 ft | $355 | 4 | $125 |
| 120 ton | 167 ft | $440 | 4 | $140 |
North Texas Crane bills portal to portal (travel both ways), adds a 7% fuel surcharge, charges overtime after 8 hours and outside 7am–5pm weekdays, adds $85/hr on Sundays and holidays, and lists riggers/signal persons at $95/hr (4-hour minimum).
Worked examples (before travel and extras)
| Job | Math | Starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Small residential lift, 15-ton, 1 hour | $125 × 1 hr | ≈ $125 + travel |
| Rooftop A/C, 40-ton, done within minimum | $198 × 3 hr (Alamo) | ≈ $594 + travel |
| Same job, other sheet | $205 × 4 hr + 7% fuel (NTC) | ≈ $877 |
| Heavy pick, 100-ton | $316 × 4 hr + $175 permit (Alamo) | ≈ $1,439 + travel |
What changes the price
- Crane size — driven by weight and radius, not weight alone.
- Time on site — setup, rigging and teardown count; the minimum applies even to quick lifts.
- Travel — most companies bill travel time from their yard; being flexible with the date can help.
- Permits — larger cranes need Texas oversize/overweight permits; street closures may need city permits.
- Extra crew and gear — riggers, signal persons, spreader bars, mats, lowboys.
- Overtime, weekends and holidays.