At present, excavators are widely applied in fields of construction, agriculture, and even large-scale DIY projects. For those works or sectors where continuous utilization is not a requirement, the option of leasing appears to possess a higher degree of cost-effectiveness as compared to the option of purchasing. Thus, is this conclusion indeed the reality? How much investment cost will it take to lease an excavator? Therefore, we have conducted a survey of the rental prices of various excavators on the market, and in this article, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the costs required for renting an excavator.
Key Takeaway
- The price range broad is very wide: The final cost range ranges from the small-type excavator daily rental at $200 to the dedicated excavator one-week rental at $7,000 or more.
- The daily rental fee varies by size: For the small excavator, the daily rental is expected to be between $200 and $450, whereas for the large standard excavator (10-20 tons), the daily rental is between $400 and $1,200.
- Long-term rental offers more savings: Weekly rental price is usually cheaper than daily rental by 20-30%, and monthly rental for long-term projects saves the most.
- Extra cost budgeting: The rental fee is just the beginning. Be sure to take into account the transportation, insurance, fuel, and potential attachments costs, which may cause your total expense to rise by 20-30%.
The Types of Excavator Rentals and Costs
The greatest factor determining the leasing cost is the type of excavator you choose. Choosing the suitable machine is not only crucial for efficiency, but also crucial for your budget. Let us explore the common excavator rental types and their related costs.
1. Mini Excavator Rental Cost
These machines are also called small-sized excavators, very suitable for small projects, residential works, and narrow passageways on construction sites. They are very suitable for digging public facility trenches, small-scale landscape beautification, or indoor demolition tasks.
The daily rental for small-sized excavators is the most affordable among all types. For models of 1-3 tons, the expected daily rent is between $150 and $300. In relation to 4-6 ton large-sized equipment, the price ascends to about $300 to $450 per day. The weekly rental fee is generally within the range of $800 to $1500, which, for projects that continue for multiple days, is capable of saving a substantial amount of cost.
2. Crawler Excavator Rental Cost
These are the standard heavy excavators that you see on most large construction sites. They are equipped with steel tracks and possess excellent stability on rugged or muddy terrain. They are used for large-scale digging, leveling, demolition, and material handling.
The excavator rental cost per day for a standard crawler (15-25 tons) usually falls between $700 and $1,200. Weekly rates can range from $3,000 to $5,000. Due to their size and power, they are essential for commercial projects but are overkill for smaller jobs.
3. Wheeled Excavator Rental Cost
The digging force of wheeled excavators, it is similar to that of the tracked ones, but it is with wheels to replace the tracks. This allows them to have bigger maneuverability on already-paved roads such as asphalt and concrete, and they can move between nearby work sites without a transport trailer. They are the most suitable for road construction, public facilities projects in urban areas, and also big and flat work sites.
Wheeled excavators, they are one of the selections with the highest rental costs; the daily rent usually begins at $1,200 and can reach up to $1,800 or even higher, while the weekly rent is between $5,000 and $6,500.
4. Long Reach Excavator Rental Cost
As the name suggests, these excavators feature an extended boom and arm, allowing them to work in hard-to-reach areas. They are specialized machines used for dredging ponds, cleaning canals, demolition of tall structures, and deep excavation projects.
Due to their specialized nature, the long-reach excavator rental cost is higher. Expect to pay between $1,000 and $1,600 per day or $4,000 to $6,500 per week.
5. Suction Excavator (Vacuum Excavator) Rental Cost
These are highly specialized machines that use high-powered vacuums to remove soil with precision. They are primarily used for safely exposing underground utilities like gas lines or fiber optic cables without the risk of damage from a traditional bucket.
6. Skid Steer with Excavator Attachment
For a small-scale project, with equipped backhoe or excavator attachments, the skid-steer loader is a multi-function option. Though it is not truly an excavator, it is very suitable to operate in extremely narrow spaces where even a small excavator cannot enter, for small trench digging or digging. Rental cost is usually lower; machine and attachment rental cost is about $ 200 to $ 400 per day.
Excavator Rental Cost Summary (2025 Estimates)
| Excavator Type | Typical Daily Rate | Typical Weekly Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Excavator | $150 – $450 | $800 – $1,500 | Small projects, tight spaces, landscaping |
| Crawler Excavator | $700 – $1,200 | $3,000 – $5,000 | Heavy-duty digging, rough terrain |
| Wheeled Excavator | $700 – $1,400 | 3,200 – $5,200 | Road work, projects on hard surfaces |
| Long Reach Excavator | $1,000 – $1,800 | $4,000 – $6,500 | Dredging, demolition, deep excavation |
| Suction Excavator | $1,200 – $1,800+ | $5,000 – $6,500+ | Delicate digging around utilities |
| Skid Steer Excavator | $200 – $400+ | $1,000 – $4,800+ | Extremely confined spaces, Small projects |
Note: These prices are estimates and can vary based on location, supplier, and machine availability.
Excavator Rental Cost Factors
Besides machine type, there are several other factors that will influence your final cost:
- Machine size and weight: Within each category, the bigger the machine and the heavier, the higher the price. A 5-ton small excavator price total always higher than a 2-ton model.
- Rental period: The rental company provides tiered pricing. Daily rental price highest, followed by weekly rental, and lastly monthly rent. Monthly rent for long-term projects is most cost-effective.
- Geographic location: Compared with rural areas, metropolitan areas and areas with high building demand have higher rental prices.
- Equipment brand and service life: Renting high-end brand, newer machines may be a bit higher in price than old models, but generally, reliability and fuel efficiency are also higher.
Additional Cost of Common Rental Excavation
Besides the machine types, there exist several other factors that will influence your ultimate costs:
- Machine size and weight: Within each category, the bigger the machine and the heavier its weight, the higher the price. A 5-ton small excavator’s price always exceeds that of a 2-ton model.
- Rental term: The rental companies provide tiered pricing. The daily rental price is the highest, followed by the weekly rental price, and finally the monthly rental price, with the monthly rental being the most cost-effective for long-running projects.
- Geographic location: Compared with rural areas, metropolitan areas and regions with strong construction demand carry higher rental prices.
- Equipment brand and age of use: Renting a new machine of a high-end brand may cost slightly more than renting an older model, but it typically offers higher reliability and better fuel efficiency.
Tips to Reduce Excavator Rental Prices
Techniques to reduce excavator rental prices. Although renting heavy equipment is not a small expenditure, there exist several methods to control costs:
- Choose the suitable machine: do not over-rent. A small excavator alone can complete the job, but using a standard crawler excavator is a common and costly mistake. Carefully assess your project requirements.
- Advance booking: Temporary rental is almost always more expensive, especially in the construction busy season. In order to ensure a more favorable price and better availability, please book at least one to two weeks in advance.
- Choose a longer rental period: If your project may last three or four days, renting for a full week is usually cheaper. Be sure to compare the total cost.
- Compare quotes: Obtain quotes from at least three different rental companies. Price differences between national chains and local suppliers can be very large.
Off-season rental: if your project time schedule is flexible, you may consider renting in winter or other times with lower demand, because at these times, the companies may offer discounts.
Conclusion
Understanding the rental cost of excavators enables you to select the most cost-effective equipment solution for the appropriate project operations. For short-term projects, leasing an excavator is almost the most cost-effective option. However, for projects that rely on excavators for a long time, the consideration should be to purchase a suitable excavator to save costs. Whether you lease or purchase an excavator, when the equipment is damaged, FridayParts can provide you with high-quality excavator parts, including aftermarket mini excavator parts, to ensure that your equipment operates safely and efficiently!
