Buy LOLER thorough examinations on comparable terms
Use one itemised asset register, identify people-lifting and accessory intervals, and compare equipment-specific competence and reports—not a vague site rate.
A comparable quote must answer five things
- Who will examine each equipment category and why are they competent for it?
- Which main assets, attachments and lifting accessories are included?
- Which interval, first-use, installation or exceptional-event trigger applies?
- What examination, supplementary tests, Schedule 1 report and defect process are included?
- What PUWER inspection, servicing, repair, retesting, travel and VAT are excluded?
Information to assemble before requesting quotes
Mark unknown items explicitly. Discovery can be priced; hidden assumptions cannot be compared.
- Site address, access, shifts, operational restrictions and responsible person
- Main equipment register with type, make, model, serial number, SWL and location
- Lifting-accessory register or kit list with identifiers and dates
- Whether each item lifts people, goods or both
- Declarations, previous reports, next dates and any examination schemes
- Damage, overload, repair, modification, relocation or long-disuse history
- Maintenance and PUWER inspection records
- Desired visit, report and defect-response times
Project brief
Business and site: ______________________________________________
Reason for commissioning: first / periodic / new installation / change or event
Equipment and identifiers: ______________________________________
Use, process or operating conditions: ______________________________
Documents available: ___________________________________________
Sites and areas in scope: ________________________________________
Access and shutdown constraints: _________________________________
Target visit and report date: _____________________________________
Required quotation format
- Who will examine each equipment category and why are they competent for it?
- Which main assets, attachments and lifting accessories are included?
- Which interval, first-use, installation or exceptional-event trigger applies?
- What examination, supplementary tests, Schedule 1 report and defect process are included?
- What PUWER inspection, servicing, repair, retesting, travel and VAT are excluded?
Competence and evidence questions
Competence is specific to the equipment, system and judgement being bought. Ask about the proposed person, not only the company.
- Who is the named examiner for each equipment category?
- What practical and theoretical knowledge and comparable experience can they evidence?
- How is independence from maintenance or repair work maintained?
- Which standards, discard criteria and specialist tests will be used?
- Can you provide a redacted Schedule 1 report with defect grading and next dates?
- How are serious defects communicated and sent to the enforcing authority where required?
- What professional indemnity and public liability evidence applies?
Comparable quote scorecard
| Comparison point | Provider A | Provider B | Provider C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named examiner by equipment category | |||
| Main equipment schedule complete | |||
| Accessory schedule complete | |||
| People-lifting use and intervals confirmed | |||
| Installation/exceptional triggers addressed | |||
| Supplementary testing included or excluded | |||
| Schedule 1 report and item identity | |||
| Serious-defect escalation process | |||
| LOLER vs PUWER scope | |||
| Travel, access, VAT and re-examination | |||
| Total comparable fee |
Do not add the scores blindly. Missing competence, equipment scope or statutory reporting can be a stop condition rather than a small disadvantage.
Report acceptance check
- Every examined item has a traceable identity and location
- Examination trigger and interval are correct for the use
- Safety-critical parts and relevant tests are recorded
- Defects explain the danger and required action
- Immediate-danger findings were communicated promptly
- Schedule 1 report fields are complete
- Next examination date or scheme reference is explicit
- Maintenance and defect closure remain separate and tracked
Primary basis: HSE INDG422 .