Rhode Island Equipment Rental Service Areas

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About Construction Projects in Rhode Island

Browse our Rhode Island heavy equipment rental locations by city. BigRentz offers a wide variety of heavy equipment for rent, including earth moving machines, aerial equipment, lift trucks, compaction equipment, and job site services.

What You Need To Know

Rhode Island is home to several historic buildings, including the magnificent mansion built by Vanderbilt family. While your building project may not be as grand as the Vanderbilt mansion, any building work you plan to do will need to adhere to the state’s building codes and laws. Here’s a quick rundown of the process to follow to build in Rhode Island.

Getting Building Permits

Most building work needs a permit. These include new buildings going up or any changes and additions to existing buildings. Breaking down buildings as well as moving of buildings also requires permits. Depending on the type of work you’re doing, you may need first to submit plans for review.

Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors also need permits. Also, fire plans need reviewing. Submit fire plans to the Rhode Island Fire Marshal’s office.

Permit fees range from $50 to $200 depending on the value of the project. For more information on plans and permits, contact the Building Code Commission.

Registering as a Contractor

Contractors in Rhode Island must register with the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board. This includes water filtration and treatment systems installers. To register, you need to:

• Submit a signed and notarized application form and affidavit
• Complete five hours of training from a board approved trainer. You will have to do another five hours of classes when renewing your license
• Contractors doing residential work must provide proof of unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and liability insurance of at least $500,000
• Pay a registration fee of $200. Your registration is valid for two years

Certain specialty trades require state licensing. These include asbestos abatement contractors, electricians, mechanical contractors, and plumbers.

Soil Types in Rhode Island

Glacial geology characterizes the soil composition across Rhode Island. This came about from glacial ice that covered the region tens of thousands of years ago. When the ice started to melt and slide, it carried with it bedrock and soil. It settled on a mix of gravel, sand, silt, and clay called glacial till.

Rhode Island soil is grouped into four types:

• Upland till plains made up of granite, schist, and gneiss rock in the eastern and western parts
• Narragansett till plains consist of sedimentary rock, shale, sandstone, and coal
• End moraines have a mix of large boulders, sand, and silt found from east to west in areas like Westerly, Charlestown, and Block Island
• Outwash deposits were containing heavy silt deposits found in Providence and the southern parts

Usually, glacial type of soil is a good base for a strong foundation. However, the state of the underlying bedrock can make it hard to dig trenches or build roads. Boulders buried beneath the surface can cause problems during drilling. If you’re digging down deep into the ground like this, you’ll need heavy-duty equipment like drilling augers and hydraulic hammers.

Renting Building Equipment

To find the right drilling and excavation equipment, you can rent all sorts of building machinery. You’ll also find aerial and material handling equipment like manlifts, boom lifts, scissor lifts, and forklifts.

Construction is booming in Rhode Island. The state has seen an 11 percent rise in construction jobs over the last year. Once you’re a registered contractor, you’ll be all set to take on all new building jobs that come your way.