Setting roof trusses with a crane around Wilmington
With thousands of homes permitted across the Wilmington metro each year, truss sets are some of the most common crane jobs on the coast. Most fit a boom truck and a morning.
What will a truss set crane run on the Wilmington coast?
On one posted sheet, a 22-ton boom truck is $265 an hour with a 1-hour minimum, so a 2 to 3-hour truss set runs about $530 to $795. A larger house or a long reach may need the 40-ton at $285 an hour. Your local operator sets the actual price.
- Most single-family truss sets fit a 22-ton boom truck.
- Sandy or freshly graded lots may need mats under the outriggers.
- Have the truss delivery on site before the crane arrives so the clock is not wasted.
- Wilmington metro builders pulled 7,622 housing permits in 2025.
How busy the coast is
The Wilmington metro authorized 7,622 new housing units in 2025, and January through September 2026 ran about 13% ahead of the same months in 2025. Most of those are single-family homes in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties, and nearly every one needs its roof trusses lifted into place.
Reach on a truss set
The truss set is a series of light picks, but each one swings out to the far wall. What sizes the crane is reach, not weight:
- One-story ranch. Trusses can often be set from the drive or the street with the 22-ton boom truck.
- Two-story house. Taller walls and longer spans push the boom farther out. The 22-ton usually still works if it can park close.
- Big hip roofs and girder trusses. Heavier girders and longer reaches can call for the 40-ton.
Sandy lots and soft ground
Coastal lots are often sand or fresh fill. Outriggers can sink if the ground has not been compacted, so the operator may bring mats or ask for gravel at the setup spot. Say whether the lot has been graded and whether it holds water after rain.
Keep the clock moving
On the posted sheet the boom truck has a 1-hour minimum, so every hour counts. Before the crane arrives:
- Trusses delivered and stacked within reach, in setting order.
- Walls braced and the framing crew ready.
- A clear path for the truck, away from any overhead lines.
Moving on the road
North Carolina caps a vehicle at 102 inches wide and 14 feet tall. A boom truck travels well within that, but larger cranes need oversize permits, which the city wants at least 10 days ahead for moves through Wilmington.
Typical truss tickets
| Job | Machine | Rough ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Ranch house trusses | 22-ton boom truck, 2 hours | $530 |
| Two-story house | 22-ton boom truck, 3 hours | $795 |
| Large hip roof with girders | 40-ton, 4 hours | $1,140 |
From the posted prices. Travel and any mats are extra.
Other questions
How long does a truss set take?
A typical single-family house takes 2 to 4 hours once the framers are ready. Hip roofs, girder trusses and two-story walls add time. Bundles that are stacked in the right order go up faster.
Can the crane set from the street?
On many lots the crane sets up in the street or the right-of-way. Inside Wilmington that needs a right-of-way permit and a traffic control plan. In a new subdivision, ask the developer whether the streets have been accepted by the town yet.
What should I send for a price?
The truss count, the longest span, the wall height, where the bundles will sit, and a photo of the lot showing where a truck can park on firm ground.
Wilmington sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- City of Wilmington, right-of-way permits
- N.C. G.S. 20-116, vehicle size limits
- Dependable Crane, posted crane pricing
Get this Wilmington lift priced
Rough numbers are fine.
Keep reading
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Wilmington crane prices by the hourA posted sheet from a 22-ton boom truck to a 115-ton crane, minimums from 1 to 8 hours and the counterweight trailer.
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Crane work in Leland and northern Brunswick CountyA crane in Leland, Belville or Navassa: town encroachment permits, NCDOT roads, East Lake and the new hospital, the river crossing and posted crane prices.
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A rooftop unit lift in WilmingtonSetting a rooftop unit in Wilmington: boom truck or crane by reach, the $30 crane lift permit, rush-hour closure limits, downtown notice and posted prices.