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Cherry Pickers vs MEWPs for Building Surveys: Making the Right Choice

Cherry Pickers vs MEWPs for Building Surveys: Making the Right Choice

Crown Services | 06 2025

Cherry Pickers vs MEWPs for Building Surveys: Making the Right Choice

Introduction

When working at height, especially for building surveys, choosing the right equipment is essential. It’s not just about getting the job done — it’s about doing it safely, accurately, and without wasting time or money. At Crown Services, we know how important it is to select the best solution for your needs. That’s why it’s useful to understand the difference between cherry pickers and MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms).

Although many people use these terms to mean the same thing, they’re not identical. A cherry picker is actually a specific type of MEWP. In this guide, we’ll explain how they compare, when to use each one, and how to make the right choice for your construction projects or building inspections.

What is a MEWP?

MEWP stands for Mobile Elevating Work Platform. These machines help people work at height by lifting them safely using a powered platform. MEWPs are used in many industries, including construction, building maintenance, tree work and warehouse operations.

There are several different types of MEWPs:

– Scissor lifts go straight up and down. They offer a stable platform for working directly overhead and are good for tasks like ceiling work, lighting repairs, or fitting out interiors.

– Boom lifts include telescopic boom lifts (which extend in a straight line) and articulated boom lifts (which bend at joints to reach over obstacles). These are ideal for inspecting roofs, walls, and hard-to-reach places.

– Spider lifts are small and lightweight. They can be used on soft ground or tight spaces like gardens or courtyards.

– Push-around platforms and vertical mast lifts are smaller MEWPs used indoors in shops, warehouses, or narrow hallways.

These versatile MEWPs are designed for different tasks, giving you lots of options when you need to work at height.

What is a Cherry Picker?

A cherry picker is a specific kind of MEWP. It has a bucket or platform at the end of a moving arm, usually mounted on a van or truck. The arm can lift the platform up and outwards to reach tricky places.

Cherry pickers were first made for picking fruit — that’s where the name comes from. Today, they’re widely used for window cleaning, tree work, roof inspections and building surveys.

There are different styles available:

– Truck-mounted and van-mounted cherry pickers can move easily between jobs.

– Some models have articulated boom arms that bend to reach around obstacles.

Cherry pickers are great for quick jobs where you need to reach a specific spot without setting up larger equipment.

Comparing Cherry Pickers and MEWPs for Building Surveys

When planning a building survey, it’s important to pick the right equipment based on the site and the job. While cherry pickers are a type of MEWP, we’ll compare them with other common MEWPs like scissor lifts, spider lifts, and boom lifts.

Height and Reach

Cherry pickers, especially with an articulated boom, are good for getting around signs, walls, or roof features. They’re useful for close-up surveys and one-off inspections.

For bigger buildings or large areas, a telescopic boom MEWP offers more reach — both up and out. If you need to inspect across several parts of a tall building, these lifts can help you do it faster and with fewer moves.

Platform Size and Load

If you need to take tools or a team with you, larger MEWPs like scissor lifts can carry more weight. These platforms are bigger, so you can work with more people and equipment. Cherry pickers usually have smaller platforms, so they’re better for one or two people with basic tools.

Site Conditions

If you’re working indoors or on a delicate surface like a polished floor, spider lifts or push-around platforms may be the safest option. For outdoor work or soft ground, truck-mounted cherry pickers or tracked MEWPs provide more stability.

Cherry pickers are often quicker to set up and move, especially when mounted on a vehicle. This makes them ideal for busy sites or jobs where speed is important. However, for rough ground or long-term use, a MEWP may be the better choice.

Precision or Flexibility?

Cherry pickers are perfect for focused jobs, such as checking a chimney, taking close-up photos, or making a repair. They offer excellent control for jobs that need accuracy.

MEWPs like articulated boom or telescopic boom lifts are better for more complex or larger surveys. They can reach around corners, up walls, and across roofs — ideal for surveys covering multiple areas.

Which One Should You Use?

Here are some things to consider when choosing between cherry pickers and other MEWPs for building surveys:

– How long is the job? For a quick inspection or a single visit, hiring a cherry picker might be more practical. For longer or repeated work, a MEWP may offer better value.

– What does the site look like? Flat, open ground suits scissor lifts. Tight corners or uneven surfaces may call for spider lifts or articulated boom lifts.

– How tall is the building? For surveys over 20 metres, you’ll probably need a telescopic boom lift or a high-reach cherry picker.

– How much space do you have? In city centres or narrow streets, a truck-mounted cherry picker may be the easiest and safest option.

– How often will you use it? If you’re carrying out regular surveys, you might want to hire a mobile elevating work platforms MEWPs package on a longer-term basis, with support and training included.

Hire or Buy? What’s Best for You

At Crown Services, we offer both short-term and long-term equipment hire. If you only need the machine for a day or two, hiring a cherry picker is simple, affordable, and flexible. We deliver it to your site, and you can choose whether to operate it yourself or use one of our trained operators.

For regular survey work or repeated projects, we also offer hire packages for a full range of powered access platforms, including MEWPs of all sizes and types. You get the right machine for each job, and we handle all the maintenance, inspections, and servicing.

Our team can help you choose the best equipment for your needs and budget, whether you’re surveying one building or managing a long-term programme of work.

Staying Safe While Working at Height

Health and safety are top priorities whenever you use access equipment. That’s why all our machines are thoroughly checked and serviced before each hire.

Anyone operating a MEWP must have proper training. We recommend IPAF training, which covers safe use, risk planning and emergency procedures. Our team can guide you through the process or arrange training if needed.

We also provide all the necessary safety gear, including:

– Safety harnesses that meet the latest standards,

– Helmets for protection from falling items,

– Hi-vis clothing to stay visible on site,

– Gloves for handling tools safely.

It’s also important to check for overhead cables, unstable ground, and bad weather. Our team can carry out a site survey to make sure you’re using the safest option for your location.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between cherry pickers and MEWPs depends on the task, the site, and your goals. If you need speed, easy access, and accuracy, hiring a cherry picker might be ideal. If your survey is more complex or covers different areas and heights, a MEWP like an articulated boom, scissor lift, or telescopic boom will give you more flexibility.

At Crown Services, we’ll help you find the best solution for your next building survey. Whether you’re tackling one site or managing a long-term programme, we’re here to provide expert guidance, safe equipment, and full support every step of the way.

Get in touch with our team today to discuss your needs and book the right access platform for your project.

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