Mini excavators are staple worksite equipment for their versatility and value in different applications. Whether you are a company that uses such machines regularly or just an individual planning to remodel your backyard, you can never go wrong with a mini excavator.
However, purchasing a brand-new machine for your project is not always economical. Let’s talk about how you can benefit more from renting and find out the current mini excavator rental cost.
How Much Is the Rental Cost Of A Mini Excavator?
Mini excavator rental cost
The rental prices for mini excavators vary from one dealer to another. Some factors may contribute to the total cost, such as the inclusions and condition of the machine.
These are the average rental cost for mini excavators:
- Daily rates – $250 to $700
- Weekly rates – $1,250 to $3,500
- Monthly rates – $3,000 to $6,000
Remember that this is only the average rental cost. You can use this to identify what you should pay for a mini excavator if you rent it daily, weekly, or monthly.
Monthly rates typically offer better deals compared to weekly and daily rates. If the project will take months to finish, it would be better to do a monthly rent because it is a more cost-effective option.
Some rental agreements may offer deals to purchase the machine once the agreement expires. Renting a mini excavator before buying it can be a good “test run” for the machine.
Is Renting Better Than Buying?
Rental vs buying
In most cases, renting can be a better option than buying. Here are a few of the benefits that you can take advantage of if you choose to rent a mini excavator:
Test run
If you are considering upgrading your equipment but are unsure if a specific model works for you, you can get it for a test drive first. Renting mini excavators lets you see how different models work before investing in one.
Improved productivity
If you get your mini excavator from a reputable rental company, they will provide you with well-maintained machines. They may also offer models equipped with the latest technology that can help you provide a more efficient work environment.
Save on long-term costs
The rental company is responsible for the maintenance of the equipment. If you rent your mini excavator, you won’t have to worry about the ongoing costs.
What Affects The Rental Cost Of A Mini Excavator?
Mini excavator cost factors
When you rent a mini excavator, it will automatically include a bucket unless you request a different attachment. The model and condition of the machine may also affect the amount of money you will spend on the rental.
If you are unsure how much you should pay for renting a mini excavator, it would be best to request a quote from your dealer or call a professional.
To give you an idea of what’s included in the cost when renting mini excavators, these are the following factor that must be considered:
1. Rental Duration
The cost of renting a mini excavator primarily depends on the rental period. Most dealers offer daily, weekly, and monthly rental agreements.
Daily rentals tend to be the cheapest option available, and it’s best for projects that would be done in a matter of days. However, you will find it more economical to rent on a monthly basis if your project requires at least a month to finish.
You can get better dealers with longer rental agreements instead of doing it weekly. If the machine experiences any problem while using it, you can always request service from your dealer.
2. Pickup and Delivery
Most rental dealerships provide delivery services for their equipment from the warehouse to your job site. However, it might come with additional fees.
The distance of the rental company’s facility to the drop-off site would be considered when determining the delivery charge. If you could, rent from the nearest dealership available at your work location to lower the delivery costs. This would also ensure that you can get immediate service in case of a problem with the machine.
Delivery fees usually cost $70 to $150, but you still need to consider your circumstances.
3. Operator Fees
If you’re renting a mini excavator, you might need to hire operators with the proper experience to operate the machine. Some rental companies provide these services, and it wouldn’t hurt to ask your dealer if you’re unsure.
Usually, they charge based on the number of hours they spend working on your site. You can also opt to hire someone you know if the service is unavailable from the company.
Operator fees may cost around $75 to $1,440, depending on the model of the mini excavator that you are renting.
There are rental companies that also offer operator training services. If you have staff you think would benefit from this, you can sign them up.
4. Fuel
If you plan on using the machine for a couple of months, you might need to spend extra costs on its fuel. Always check the fluid levels of the mini excavator as you are using it and refill it as needed.
If you want to save money, keep an eye on the current diesel prices and refuel the machine when the costs are low. Fuel usually costs from $0.80 up to $1 per liter.
5. Accessories and Attachments
The versatility of a mini excavator is primarily influenced by the many attachments available to it. It is so much easier to swap between attachments nowadays, whether you are using hydraulic or mechanical.
There are also specialized attachments and accessories that you can use for a more efficient workplace. Most rental companies provide these attachments with an additional charge, usually by the hour or day.
Additional accessories may cost from a range of $50 to $160 per hour of use. This would include drills, hammers, dozer blades, grapples, and more.
6. Insurance
As to most rental items, companies will include insurance to the overall fee you will pay when renting a mini excavator. This is to ensure that the machine will be in safe hands and not suffer extensive damage that might compromise the condition of the equipment.
Most of these insurance fees only cover accidental damages, which usually account for around 12% of the amount you pay for the machine. If you somehow damage the equipment due to misuse, you must pay for its repairs.
7. Equipment Storage
Leaving mini excavators in the open air is never advisable as this might risk the equipment rusting and damage. You might need to rent additional storage space if you cannot properly store your machines on the worksite.
Temporary storage costs may vary depending on the duration you plan on storing the machine. It can play anywhere between $175 to $399. The size of the mini excavator also plays a part in the space you will require from the storage facility.
Tips Before Renting Mini Excavators
Mini excavator rental tips
Before you go on to rent a mini excavator for your project, check out these tips on how you can cut down the expenses:
- Inquire from different rental companies before settling with one. They may offer different quotations based on your location. One may also offer discounts for items you won’t get from other companies.
- Keep an eye on the current diesel prices, which may save you from high refueling costs.
- Find out what you need in the worksite first to determine which accessories and attachments you’ll need to include in your rental.
- If you use the rental mini excavator for a few months, have lubricants to avoid internal damage and rusting.
- If the cleanup doesn’t require a machine, you can just ask for help from your friends and neighbors to avoid extra hours using the mini excavator.
- Take good care of the mini excavator, even if it is a rental property. You wouldn’t want to shoulder the expenses for damage repair after using the machine.
- Wear the proper safety gear to avoid injuries.
