The average excavator rental price in the U.S. is $4,300. Rates can range from $600 to $8,000, depending on excavator type and rental time.
The average excavator rental price is $4,300, but the final cost can range from $120 for a four-hour rental of a mini excavator to $27,000 for a month-long rental of a suction excavator for complex projects. You can pay up to $2,000 per day or between $600 and $8,000 per week to rent an excavator. The rental prices work out to $3 to $20 per cubic yard for excavation.
Whether you’re digging out space for a new swimming pool or demolishing an old patio for new landscaping, there are several options for renting an excavator. The cost to rent an excavator will depend on the type of excavator, the size of the project, rental time, equipment delivery, and more.
Excavators cost anywhere from $30 to $220 per hour, but the rate depends on the type of excavator. Mini and skid steer are good options for smaller projects, like prepping for fresh landscaping, while larger models like crawlers work well for demolition projects.
| Excavator Type | Rental Price (by Hour) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | $30–$60 | Compact, widely available, best for DIY |
| Skid steer | $50–$100 | Compact, extension arm, best for narrow or small jobs |
| Crawler | $100–$150 | Larger, requires pro, best for landscaping or grading |
| Wheeled | $120–$180 | Moves faster, best for larger properties with even surfaces |
| Suction | $150–$220 | Best for precise excavations and delicate soil |
If you’re curious about daily excavator rental prices, here’s what to expect:
Mini: $150 to $350 per day
Skid steer: $200 to $600 per day
Crawler: $750 to $1,200 per day
Wheeled: $750 to $1,400 per day
Suction: $1,200 to $1,800 per day
You’ll spend $3 to $20 per cubic yard for excavation. Although you’ll often find excavator rental prices charged by the type of equipment you need and the timeline you need it for, you may also find rentals based on the size of the excavation area.
To rent an excavator, you’ll need to determine how long you’ll need the equipment. Many places offer rentals by the hour, day, week, or month. Keep in mind that while many places offer excavator rental prices by the hour, they may also require a minimum number of hours. You’ll need to agree to a rental time of at least four to six hours in most cases.
| Length of Rental | Cost |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $30–$220 |
| Per day | $150–$2,000 |
| Per week | $600–$8,000 |
| Per month | $2,600–$27,000 |
Before you can begin excavation, you’ll have to take care of several prep tasks. You may need to pay for a land survey and soil testing to make sure the area is safe to drive heavy machinery over, and you’ll need to remove any boulders, trees, or other large obstacles for the excavator to be able to dig out the land.
Here are some common excavation prep costs to expect:
Leveling: $1–$12 per cubic yard
Land survey: $400–$550
Soil testing: $700–$2,200
Boulder removal: $50–$250
Tree removal: $200–$2,000
Many excavator rental companies offer delivery and pickup services so that the machinery can be dropped right off to your home the day you need it. Delivery and pickup prices range from $60 to $100 total for areas within 10 miles of the rental company store, plus $3 to $4 for each additional mile. Some companies build these fees into the rental cost, so be sure to check before signing a rental agreement.
Building permits cost $200 to $2,000 for demolition and outdoor projects. Any time you’re planning to do demolition work or use heavy machinery on your property, you need a building permit. Large projects, like digging out a basement or laying a new foundation, will definitely require prior approvals.
Once you’ve cleared the area, you’ll need to pay $150 to $250 per cubic yard to haul away the dirt. The cost will be higher for rocky or wet soil.
Whether you DIY or hire a pro, excavation costs can add up to thousands of dollars to rent equipment, complete land surveys, secure permits, and haul away the dirt. You may save about $50 to $150 per hour by excavating yourself, but you also risk damaging your yard or even your home’s foundation if you don’t have the proper training to use an excavator. Operating heavy machinery without experience is also a safety risk.
For most excavation projects, it’s important to leave the work to a local excavation company. These pros can help you with all of the prep work and hauling while also completing the excavation as quickly and safely as possible.
There are many different projects you may want to tackle before, during, or after an excavation. Maybe you want to test the soil to make sure it’s safe to excavate, or perhaps you’re excavating to help level out an uneven yard for some landscaping. Here are common projects to consider tackling when planning an excavation and making your budget:
Soil testing cost: $680–$2,160
Foundation installation cost: $4,000–$14,750
Yard leveling cost: $1,000–$3,300
Swimming pool installation cost: $25,200–$58,700
Landscaping cost: $1,250–$6,100
Patio installation cost: $2,000–$6,000
Renting an excavator, and excavating in general, is costly. But if you’re dreaming of installing a new pool by summer or leveling the yard for a new patio or deck, you’ll need to budget for an excavation first. Here are some ways to save money on excavator rental prices.
Consider off-season excavations: If you’re experiencing a mild winter, you may find off-season deals during a slow period for excavation companies. (Just keep in mind that if you have a lot of snow and ice, winter excavations will cost more.)
Choose the right machine for the job: There’s no need to rent a heavy-duty crawler when a mini excavator will do. Save money by choosing the excavator best suited to your project.
Bundle with professional labor: Many times, homeowners can find a better deal by hiring an excavation company to provide the equipment and do the excavation work.
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A mini excavator can dig between 5 and 11 feet deep, depending on the type and size of the mini excavator. Mini hydraulic excavators are more powerful and can reach deeper into the earth, but electric models have a more limited range. Mini excavators over two tons in size are also more powerful and able to dig as deep as 11 feet.
There are many factors to consider to find the right size excavator for a project: the size and complexity of the area, the depth you need to dig, how far the excavator arm will need to reach, any potential obstacles on the landscape, and the evenness of the terrain. For many home improvement projects, a smaller mini excavator or skid steer excavator works. Consult with an excavation pro to find the right machine for your project.
Excavations take a few days or up to a few weeks. The time it takes to excavate an area depends on the size of the area, the type of soil, the type of excavator, and even the time of year, since winter can make digging up the ground more difficult.
