Excavator Rental Rates: How Much Does It Cost to Rent an Excavator? (2026 Guide)
By the team at Beehive Rental & Sales — Serving Southern Utah's contractors and homeowners since 1994.
Excavator rental costs vary dramatically based on machine size, and renting the wrong class wastes money in both directions. This guide covers every excavator class — from compact minis to full-size machines — so you can budget accurately and choose the right excavator for your project.
“Quick Answer: Excavator rental rates range from $200/day for compact minis to $2,000/day for large machines. Most residential and light commercial projects in Southern Utah fall in the $300-$500/day range using 3-5 ton mini excavators. BeeHive Rental & Sales in St. George offers daily, weekly, and monthly rates with delivery available — call (435) 628-6663 for current pricing.
Key Takeaways
- •Mini excavators (1-5 ton) cost $200-$400/day and handle 80% of residential projects including trenching, pool excavation, landscaping, and utility installation
- •Standard excavators (6-15 ton) cost $500-$1,200/day and serve commercial construction, deep excavation, and large-scale site work
- •Large excavators (20+ ton) cost $1,000-$2,000/day and are reserved for major earthmoving, demolition, and infrastructure projects
- •Weekly rates save 40-55% versus daily rates — always rent weekly if your project exceeds 3 days
- •Browse excavator inventory at BeeHive Rental & Sales or call (435) 628-6663 to get an accurate quote for your specific project
Excavator Rental Rates by Size Class
Compact / Mini Excavators (1-5 Ton)
| Size Range | Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro (1-2 ton) | $200-$300 | $800-$1,000 | $2,000-$2,500 |
| Small (2.5-3.5 ton) | $275-$350 | $900-$1,200 | $2,200-$3,000 |
| Mid-mini (4-5 ton) | $325-$425 | $1,100-$1,400 | $2,800-$3,500 |
Best applications: Utility trenching, French drains, irrigation lines, pool excavation, foundation footings, landscaping, stump removal, small demolition
Standard Excavators (6-15 Ton)
| Size Range | Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small standard (6-8 ton) | $500-$700 | $1,500-$2,200 | $3,500-$5,000 |
| Medium standard (9-12 ton) | $700-$1,000 | $2,200-$3,200 | $5,000-$7,500 |
| Large standard (13-15 ton) | $900-$1,200 | $3,000-$4,000 | $7,000-$9,000 |
Best applications: Commercial foundations, deep utility mains, large-scale land clearing, road construction, parking lot excavation, major demolition, pond construction
Large Excavators (20+ Ton)
| Size Range | Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-30 ton | $1,000-$1,500 | $3,500-$5,000 | $8,000-$12,000 |
| 35-50 ton | $1,500-$2,000 | $5,000-$7,000 | $12,000-$18,000 |
Best applications: Major site excavation, road and highway construction, large commercial demolition, quarry work, mass grading, deep foundation systems
What Affects Your Excavator Rental Cost
1. Machine Size
This is the dominant cost factor. Always rent the smallest machine that can efficiently complete your project.
2. Rental Duration
| Rental Period | Effective Discount vs. Daily Rate |
|---|---|
| Daily | Base rate |
| Weekly | 40-55% savings per day |
| Monthly | 60-70% savings per day |
Strategy: If your project will take 4 days, rent weekly. Weekly rates for most excavators equal 3-4 daily rates — you get 7 days for the cost of 3-4.
3. Attachments
| Attachment | Typical Additional Cost | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic thumb | $25-$75/day | Grab rocks, debris, pipes — essential in rocky soil |
| Hydraulic breaker | $100-$250/day | Break rock, concrete, asphalt, frozen ground |
| Auger | $75-$175/day | Drill holes for posts, piers, trees |
| Compaction wheel | $50-$100/day | Compact trench backfill from the excavator seat |
Pro tip for Southern Utah: A hydraulic thumb should be considered mandatory in the St. George area. Rocky desert soil produces a constant stream of cobbles that a standard bucket cannot efficiently handle.
4. Delivery Distance
- •Local delivery (within 15 miles) — $100-$200 round trip
- •Regional delivery (15-40 miles) — $200-$400 round trip
- •Extended delivery (40+ miles) — $400+ round trip
5. Fuel Costs
| Excavator Class | Fuel Consumption | Daily Fuel Cost (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mini (1-5 ton) | 1-3 gal/hour | $15-$50 |
| Standard (6-15 ton) | 3-6 gal/hour | $50-$100 |
| Large (20+ ton) | 6-12 gal/hour | $100-$200 |
How to Estimate What Size Excavator You Need
By Project Type
| Project | Recommended Excavator |
|---|---|
| Sprinkler/irrigation trench | 1-2 ton mini |
| French drain | 2.5-3.5 ton mini |
| Sewer/water line | 3.5-5 ton mini |
| Swimming pool | 4-8 ton (mini to small standard) |
| Residential foundation | 5-8 ton |
| Commercial foundation | 8-15 ton |
| Land clearing | 6-12 ton |
| Demolition | 8-20 ton (with breaker) |
By Digging Depth
| Required Depth | Minimum Excavator Size |
|---|---|
| 0-5 feet | 1-2 ton micro |
| 5-8 feet | 2.5-3.5 ton mini |
| 8-12 feet | 3.5-5 ton mini |
| 12-16 feet | 6-10 ton standard |
| 16-20 feet | 10-15 ton standard |
| 20+ feet | 20+ ton large |
Hidden Costs to Watch For
- •Overtime/meter hours — Daily rentals include 8 hours of operating time; exceed this and pay overtime (~1/8 of daily rate per additional hour)
- •Cleaning fees — Return a mud-caked machine and face cleaning charges
- •Site damage — Excavator rental covers the machine, not damage to your property (irrigation lines, utilities, septic)
Cost-Saving Tips
- •Rent the right duration: weekly beats daily after day 3; monthly beats weekly after week 2
- •Bundle equipment — excavator + compactor + trailer often gets package pricing
- •Prep before the machine arrives: mark all dig locations, call 811 first (takes 2-3 business days), stage spoil pile locations
FAQ
How much does it cost to rent an excavator for a day?
Excavator daily rental rates: mini excavators (1-5 ton) cost $200-$425/day, standard excavators (6-15 ton) cost $500-$1,200/day, large excavators (20+ ton) cost $1,000-$2,000/day. Contact BeeHive Rental & Sales at (435) 628-6663 for exact pricing.
What size excavator do I need to dig a pool?
Most residential pool excavations require a 4-8 ton excavator. In Southern Utah's rocky soil, consider sizing up one class for better productivity through the caliche layer.
Is it cheaper to rent an excavator by the week?
Yes, significantly. Weekly rates are typically 3-4 times the daily rate — meaning you get 7 days for the cost of 3-4. For any project lasting more than 3 days, renting weekly saves 40-55%.
Can I rent an excavator without experience?
Yes. No license or certification is required to rent a mini excavator. BeeHive Rental & Sales provides operation training with every rental. First-time operators should add 50% to their time estimate.
Need an accurate excavator rental quote? BeeHive Rental & Sales has matched Southern Utah contractors and homeowners with the right excavation equipment since 1994. Call (435) 628-6663 or browse the excavator inventory to see what's available today.