Crane Moving and Relocation Services in Nairobi and Kenya
Relocating a factory, warehouse, or production line means moving assets that cannot be lifted by hand or shifted on an ordinary truck. Crane moving and relocation services from Bestcare Facilities Management cover the full job: dismantling, lifting, transport, reinstallation, and testing of overhead cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes, and heavy industrial machinery across Nairobi and the rest of Kenya.
Quick Service Summary
- Service: Crane moving, dismantling, relocation, and reinstallation
- Coverage area: Nairobi, Mombasa Road, Athi River, Ruiru, Thika, Naivasha, Nakuru, Mombasa, and other Kenyan towns
- Equipment handled: Overhead/bridge cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes, hoists, and heavy machinery
- Process: Site survey, lift planning, dismantling, transport, reinstallation, load testing
- Safety: Trained riggers, certified lifting gear, and documented risk assessments
- Typical timeline: 3 days to 3 weeks, depending on crane size and distance
- Deliverables: Lift plan, inspection report, and load test certificate on completion
- Contact: Call 0709 004 600 or request a site survey through Bestcare Facilities Management
Why Businesses in Nairobi Relocate Cranes
Industrial expansion along Mombasa Road, lease expiries in Industrial Area, and the growth of new manufacturing zones in Athi River and Ruiru push many Kenyan businesses to move premises every few years. An overhead crane is often the most expensive fixed asset on a production floor, and replacing it is usually far costlier than relocating it properly.
"A well-maintained overhead crane can outlive the building it's installed in. Relocating it carefully is almost always cheaper than buying new, provided the structure and drive components are sound."
How Bestcare Handles a Crane Relocation
Every project follows a structured sequence so that nothing is left to improvisation on the day of the lift.
1. Site survey and condition assessment. Engineers inspect the existing crane, runway beams, and destination building. Structural capacity at the new site is verified before any dismantling begins.
2. Lift planning and risk assessment. A written lift plan specifies crane positions, rigging arrangements, exclusion zones, and weather limits, in line with DOSHS requirements for lifting operations.
3. Dismantling and tagging. Components are disconnected, labelled, and photographed so reassembly matches the original configuration exactly. Electrical systems, hoist units, end trucks, and girders are handled separately.
4. Transport. Heavy components move on flatbeds and low-loaders, with escort arrangements for oversized loads on routes such as Mombasa Road and the Nairobi Southern Bypass.
5. Reinstallation and alignment. Runway rails are re-levelled and gauge-checked, since even small alignment errors cause premature wheel and rail wear.
6. Testing and certification. The crane is load-tested, limit switches are calibrated, and a certificate is issued for the client's records.
"Most relocation problems trace back to skipped documentation. If the original layout isn't photographed and labelled, reassembly turns into guesswork, and guesswork on a lifting machine is a safety risk."
"Choosing the right mobile crane capacity is about more than the weight of the load. Boom reach, ground bearing conditions, and lift radius all determine whether a job is safe."
Safety and Compliance in Kenya
Lifting operations in Kenya fall under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and DOSHS requires statutory inspection and certification of lifting equipment. Bestcare's teams work with certified slings, shackles, and spreader beams, and every project includes toolbox talks, PPE enforcement, and controlled access around the lift zone. Clients receive documentation suitable for insurers and regulatory audits.
Indicative Pricing
| Project Type | Typical Duration | Indicative Cost (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| Small jib crane or hoist relocation | 1–3 days | 60,000 – 150,000 |
| Overhead crane (up to 5 tonnes) | 4–8 days | 250,000 – 600,000 |
| Overhead or gantry crane (5–20 tonnes) | 1–3 weeks | 600,000 – 1,800,000 |
| Mobile crane hire for machinery lifting (per day) | 1 day | 35,000 – 120,000 |
Final quotes depend on crane capacity, building access, transport distance, and whether structural modifications are needed at the new site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a crane relocation take? Small jib cranes can be moved in a couple of days, while a large overhead crane with long runway beams typically takes one to three weeks from dismantling to certified reinstallation.
Can any overhead crane be relocated? Most can, provided the structure, hoist, and electrical systems are in serviceable condition. An inspection at the survey stage confirms whether relocation makes sense or replacement is the better option.
Do you move cranes outside Nairobi? Yes, projects are undertaken across Kenya, including Mombasa, Nakuru, Naivasha, and Kisumu, with transport and logistics planned for each route.
Is a new load test required after relocation? Yes. A load test and inspection are carried out after reinstallation, and the certificate supports DOSHS compliance and insurance requirements.
Can Bestcare also service the crane after the move? Yes, clients can move onto a preventive maintenance plan so the crane stays compliant and reliable at its new location.
Request a Site Survey
Businesses planning to move a crane or heavy equipment in Nairobi or elsewhere in Kenya can call 0709 004 600 to book a site survey and receive a detailed quote from Bestcare Facilities Management.