How much does a VGP cost? Aerial work platform, mini excavator, forklift: what sets the price

Why there is no single price

Regulations set the content and frequency of the VGP (vérification générale périodique, the periodic thorough inspection French law requires for lifting equipment), but not its price. The French Labour Code (article R4323-24) only requires the inspection to be carried out by a competent person, in-house or external. Each provider therefore sets its own rates freely.

The content of the inspection also changes from one machine to another. For a lifting appliance, the VGP includes an inspection of its state of preservation and functional tests (order of 1 March 2004, article 22). A ride-on mini excavator has its own annual inspection (order of 5 March 1993), plus a lifting VGP if it is fitted to lift loads: that is two inspections to plan for.

The factors behind the quote

• Equipment type: a large aerial work platform, a crane or a telehandler with several configurations takes more time than a small stacker truck.
• Number of machines: several appliances inspected on the same visit spread out the cost of travel.
• Location: inspection at your depot or on site, distance to travel, site access.
• Configurations: equipment with interchangeable attachments (forks, basket, jib) is inspected in each of them, according to the INRS.
• Load testing: if you do not provide the test loads, the provider may need to bring them.
• Flagged issues: a follow-up visit to confirm an issue has been resolved may be billed separately, depending on the contract.
• Contract type: a one-off visit or an annual contract covering all the year's deadlines.

How to compare two VGP quotes

A cheaper quote is only worth it if the inspection is the same. Before comparing, ask each provider these questions:

1. Which machines and configurations are included, and under which rule (2004 order for lifting, 1993 order for construction equipment)?
2. Is travel included, and for which sites?
3. Who provides the test loads and the operator during the inspection?
4. Is the provisional report issued the same day, and the final report within the four weeks required by the 2004 order?
5. Does resolving flagged issues trigger a new, separately billed visit? At what rate?
6. Is the inspector accredited by Cofrac? This is not mandatory for an ordinary VGP, but it is one way, according to the INRS, to demonstrate competence.
7. Does the contract cover reminders of deadlines, or do you have to track them yourself?

How to cut the cost of your VGP inspections

• Group deadlines together: bring some inspections forward so that all the machines on a site are checked on the same day. Bringing forward is allowed, delaying is not.
• Prepare the machines: the 2004 order (article 3) requires the employer to make the appliance available and identified, and to provide the manual, previous reports, the maintenance logbook, an operator and, if needed, the test loads. A ready machine avoids an incomplete or postponed inspection.
• Service beforehand: a clean machine, with no leaks and tyres and brakes in order, is less likely to come back with flagged issues.
• Resolve issues quickly: deal with them right after the report, keep proof of the repair, and group any follow-up visit with other inspections.
• Check hired equipment: the rental company must provide the report of the last VGP. No need to pay for an inspection already done, if it is up to date.
• Consider an in-house inspector: this is allowed if they are competent (article R4323-24), but it requires training, time and remains the employer's responsibility.

What a missed VGP really costs

The cost of the inspection is rarely the heaviest expense. A machine whose VGP has lapsed is no longer up to date with its inspections: it generally has to be stopped until the inspection is carried out, which halts a site or a hire. The employer also risks criminal penalties (article L4741-1 of the French Labour Code). Tracking deadlines avoids paying for an emergency intervention.