The typical cost of constructing a cell tower is around $175,000, but the cell tower lease can add $600,000 to $1 million or more to the property's worth. The tower's maintenance costs are about 10 percent of its initial construction price. Cell towers need to be constantly maintained to ensure they work properly. They also have to be replaced every five years or so. This maintenance and replacement cost comes out of their owners' pockets. The base structure of a cell tower is made up of columns tied together with horizontal beams called girders. These components provide support for the equipment housed in the top part of the tower. The roof protects this equipment from weather damage and any falling objects. The tower itself is usually painted red to make it visible from a distance. It can reach heights of between 120 and 180 feet (37 and 55 m), depending on the regulations in your area. There are several different types of cell towers used today. Most common are microcell and macrocell towers. A microcell tower is designed to cover a small area, such as an office building or shopping center. These towers usually hold no more than four cellular antennas and are meant as an additional safety measure in case of a fire on the premises. Microcell towers are generally less than 35 feet high.