Construction

How to Record Tower Crane Monthly Hire Costs

Recording the monthly hire charge for a tower crane on a multi-storey building project.

Account NameTypeDebit ($)Credit ($)
Work-in-Progress (WIP — Crane Hire)Asset (+)35,000.00-
Accounts Payable (Crane Company)Liability (+)-35,000.00

💡 Accountant's Note

Tower cranes are the single largest plant hire cost on many high-rise projects. The monthly charge is a direct project cost regardless of crane utilization during the month.

Practitioner & Systems Framework

💻 ERP Architecture

Set up a recurring AP voucher or PO for the duration of the hire. Separate setup/dismantling costs from the monthly rental fee for accurate cost analysis.

⚠️ Audit Flags

Similar to standard plant hire, auditors will assess IFRS 16 lease implications. Tower cranes on multi-year projects usually trigger lease accounting.

📄 Required Documentation

Crane hire contract, erection/commissioning certificate, and monthly invoices.

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QA

Expert Analysis by Qusai Ahmad

General Accountant Supervisor & IFRS Specialist

Specialized in SAP GUI automation and Middle Eastern tax compliance. Building digital tools for the next generation of finance leaders.

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