Rental inputs
Example data table
| Scenario | Towers | Days | Basis | Delivery+Pickup | Discount | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short interior shoring | 4 | 7 | Daily | $240 | 0% | $1,400–$1,900 |
| Bridge deck support | 10 | 21 | Weekly | $450 | 5% | $6,500–$8,800 |
| Long-duration rehab | 18 | 60 | Monthly | $900 | $300 | $22,000–$30,000 |
Ranges vary by region, tower type, and supplier policies.
Formula used
billable_days = max(requested_days, minimum_billable_days)If dates are provided:
requested_days = (end - start) + 1.
periods = billable_daysWeekly:
periods = ceil(billable_days / 7)Monthly:
periods = ceil(billable_days / 30)
base_rental = periods × rate × tower_qty
pre_discount = base_rental + accessories + standby + labor + fees + fuelafter_discount = (pre_discount − fixed_discount) × (1 − pct_discount)total = after_discount + insurance + tax
Adapt the model to your supplier’s contract terms (minimums, rounding, and fee triggers).
How to use this calculator
- Enter tower quantity and choose your rate basis.
- Provide rental days, or select start and end dates.
- Add delivery, pickup, and any inspection or waiver fees.
- Include setup labor hours and the hourly labor rate.
- If you rent accessories, enter quantity and daily rate.
- Use standby days for reduced-charge idle time if applicable.
- Apply discounts, then set insurance and tax percentages.
- Calculate, review the itemized breakdown, and export results.
Professional guide to shoring tower rental estimating
1) Typical rental ranges and planning benchmarks
Shoring towers are commonly priced per tower, per day, with weekly and monthly options offered to reduce administrative effort. Many suppliers also apply minimum billing windows such as 1, 3, or 7 days. A practical budgeting benchmark is to treat delivery, pickup, and inspection as fixed costs, then scale the base rental by tower count and time.
2) What drives the daily, weekly, and monthly rates
Rates vary with tower type, height range, screw-jack capacity, and availability. Busy seasons and short notice requests can lift pricing. Long-duration projects may negotiate a lower effective day rate, but only when the rental term is clearly defined.
3) Billing rounding and why periods matter
Weekly and monthly rentals are frequently billed in full periods. For example, 8 days may be charged as 2 weeks. This calculator uses ceiling periods to reflect that behavior. If your supplier uses pro‑rating, switch to daily basis or adjust rates to match the quote.
4) Tower quantity, utilization, and standby charges
Underutilized towers can inflate total cost even when the schedule slips by a few days. Some vendors offer reduced standby pricing when towers remain onsite but are not actively supporting formwork. Modeling standby days helps compare “keep onsite” versus “off‑rent and re‑deliver” decisions.
5) Accessories and small adders that compound
Base plates, cross‑braces, screw jacks, and head units may rent separately. Even small accessory day rates compound across dozens of items and multi‑week durations. Enter accessory quantities and rates so the estimate reflects what crews actually need at install time.
6) Delivery, pickup, access constraints, and fuel surcharges
Logistics often depend on site access, lift requirements, and distance from the yard. Restricted delivery windows can add waiting time, while multi‑drop sites may incur additional dispatch fees. Fuel surcharges are commonly tied to transport lines, so the calculator applies them to delivery and pickup by default.
7) Labor, inspections, and jobsite controls
Setup hours can be a meaningful portion of the estimate when towers must be leveled, plumbed, and tagged. Include inspection or tagging fees if your program requires documented checks before use. Budgeting labor alongside rental improves bid accuracy and helps align procurement with the production plan.
8) Building a reliable budget and avoiding surprises
Use dates when possible to reduce day‑count mistakes. Confirm minimums, rounding rules, and whether damage waiver or insurance is mandatory. Apply discounts only after you’ve captured all fees. Export results to share a clean breakdown with project controls, procurement, and the field team.
FAQs
1) Should I enter dates or rental days?
Use dates when your schedule is known. The calculator counts days inclusively, then applies minimum billable days. If dates are unknown, enter rental days as a planning estimate.
2) Why does weekly billing increase the charge?
Many suppliers bill full weeks. If you rent for 8 days, you may be charged for 2 weeks. The calculator mirrors that by rounding up to the next full period.
3) What is standby and when should I use it?
Standby represents days when towers stay onsite but are lightly used. Some vendors offer a reduced rate for that time. Enter standby days and a standby percentage if your contract supports it.
4) Do accessories really affect totals?
Yes. Small daily rates multiplied by many pieces and many days add up quickly. Include accessory quantity and daily rate to capture braces, jacks, heads, and plates.
5) How are insurance and tax applied?
Insurance is calculated on the discounted subtotal. Tax is calculated on subtotal plus insurance. If your local rules differ, adjust the percentages or incorporate them as fixed fees.
6) Where should discounts be applied?
Apply discounts after you have entered all rental and fee items. This keeps the estimate consistent with most quotes, where discounts reduce the subtotal before insurance and tax.
7) What is the best way to share results?
Use the CSV for estimating systems and the PDF for approvals. Both exports capture towers, billing basis, day counts, and an itemized cost breakdown for quick review.
Accurate rental estimates help crews build safer schedules today.