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. A machine that's too small takes twice as long and burns through rental hours. A machine that's too large costs more per day and may not even fit your job site. 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)
Mini excavators are the most commonly rented excavator class. They combine meaningful digging capability with compact dimensions that fit residential job sites, backyards, and tight commercial spaces.
| 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 |
Digging depth: 5-12 feet depending on model Best applications: Utility trenching, French drains, irrigation lines, pool excavation, foundation footings, landscaping, stump removal, small demolition
Why they're the most popular: Mini excavators hit the sweet spot of capability and practicality. A 3.5-ton machine digs a 10-foot trench, fits through a backyard gate, transports on a standard equipment trailer, and costs less than $400/day. For the vast majority of residential and light commercial excavation in the St. George area, a mini excavator is all you need.
Standard Excavators (6-15 Ton)
When projects exceed what a mini can handle — deeper excavation, larger volume removal, or sustained heavy digging — standard excavators provide the power and reach needed for serious work.
| 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 |
Digging depth: 12-20 feet depending on model Best applications: Commercial foundations, deep utility mains, large-scale land clearing, road construction, parking lot excavation, major demolition, pond construction
When to step up from a mini: If your project requires digging deeper than 12 feet, moving more than 100 cubic yards of material, breaking through rock or heavy hardpan continuously, or reaching more than 20 feet horizontally, a standard excavator earns its higher daily rate through dramatically increased productivity.
Large Excavators (20+ Ton)
Large excavators are specialized machines for major construction, infrastructure, and commercial earthmoving projects. Most homeowners and small contractors will never need this class.
| 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 |
Digging depth: 20-30+ feet depending on model Best applications: Major site excavation, road and highway construction, large commercial demolition, quarry work, mass grading, deep foundation systems
Transport note: Large excavators require lowboy trailers and oversized load permits for transport. Delivery costs are substantial — factor $500-$1,500+ per mobilization into your project budget.
What Affects Your Excavator Rental Cost
Understanding cost drivers helps you control your total expense and avoid budget surprises.
1. Machine Size
This is the dominant cost factor. Excavator rental rates roughly track with machine weight — a 5-ton mini costs about half what a 10-ton standard costs per day. Always rent the smallest machine that can efficiently complete your project.
2. Rental Duration
Longer commitments unlock dramatically lower per-day rates:
| Rental Period | Effective Discount vs. Daily Rate |
|---|---|
| Daily | Base rate |
| 3-day | Some companies offer a 3-day rate at a slight discount |
| Weekly | 40-55% savings per day |
| Bi-weekly | 50-60% savings per day |
| Monthly | 60-70% savings per day |
Strategy: If your project will take 4 days, rent weekly. The weekly rate for most excavators is 3-4 times the daily rate — meaning you get 7 days for the cost of 3-4. That extra time eliminates pressure and lets you work at a comfortable pace.
3. Attachments
The base excavator rental gets you a standard digging bucket. Specialized attachments increase capability but add to cost:
| 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 |
| Tilt/rotating bucket | $30-$75/day | Grading and slope work at angles |
| Ditching bucket (wide) | $25-$50/day | Clean-out and grade trench bottoms |
| Ripper tooth | $25-$60/day | Break through hard ground and roots |
Pro tip for Southern Utah projects: A hydraulic thumb should be considered mandatory for excavation work in the St. George area. The rocky desert soil produces a constant stream of cobbles and small boulders that a standard bucket cannot efficiently handle. The thumb pays for itself in time savings within the first hour.
4. Delivery Distance
Getting an excavator to your job site adds cost unless you own an appropriately rated trailer and tow vehicle:
- •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
For mini excavators, delivery typically requires a trailer rated for the machine's weight plus 20% safety margin. For standard and large excavators, specialized transport equipment is required and delivery is usually arranged through the rental company.
5. Insurance and Waivers
- •Damage waiver — 10-15% of base rental rate per day; covers accidental damage (recommended for operators without commercial equipment insurance)
- •Environmental liability — Some companies charge for potential fluid spills; ask about this upfront
- •Your existing coverage — Contractor's equipment policies and some homeowner's policies extend to rented equipment; verify with your insurance agent before paying for duplicate coverage
6. Fuel Costs
Excavators consume diesel fuel proportional to their size and workload:
| 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 |
Most rental agreements require returning the machine with the same fuel level. Running out of diesel in the field is not only inconvenient — air in the fuel system can require professional service to purge.
How to Estimate What Size Excavator You Need
By Project Type
| Project | Recommended Excavator | Why This Size |
|---|---|---|
| Sprinkler/irrigation trench | 1-2 ton mini | Shallow depth, minimal site disruption |
| French drain | 2.5-3.5 ton mini | 2-4 foot depth, moderate volume |
| Sewer/water line | 3.5-5 ton mini | 4-6 foot depth, pipe-width precision |
| Swimming pool | 4-8 ton (mini to small standard) | 6-8 foot depth, large volume removal |
| Residential foundation | 5-8 ton | Precise depth, clean vertical walls |
| Commercial foundation | 8-15 ton | Deep footings, high volume |
| Land clearing | 6-12 ton | Power for stumps, roots, boulders |
| Demolition | 8-20 ton (with breaker) | Impact force proportional to size |
| Road/parking lot excavation | 15-30 ton | Speed and volume for large areas |
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 |
By Volume to Move
For projects measured in cubic yards of material to excavate:
- •Under 20 cubic yards — Mini excavator (1-5 ton), 1-2 day rental
- •20-100 cubic yards — Mini to small standard (4-8 ton), 2-5 day rental
- •100-500 cubic yards — Standard excavator (8-15 ton), 1-2 week rental
- •500+ cubic yards — Large excavator (20+ ton), multi-week rental
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Experienced renters know that the advertised daily rate is rarely the final number. Here are the additional charges that catch people off guard:
Overtime / Meter Hours
Most daily rentals include 8 hours of operating time (meter hours). Exceed this and you pay overtime — typically 1/8 of the daily rate per additional hour. If you're running an excavator for a 12-hour day, you're paying 150% of the daily rate.
Mitigation: Rent weekly. Weekly rates typically include 40 meter hours, and the per-day cost is already lower. You get more operating time for less money.
After-Hours Return Fees
Returning equipment outside of business hours may incur charges at some rental companies. Understand return policies before you rent.
Cleaning Fees
Returning a machine caked in mud triggers cleaning charges. Spend 15 minutes with a hose before return.
Transport Damage
If you're self-transporting, you're responsible for any damage during transport — including road hazards, improper tie-down, and loading/unloading incidents. Damage waivers may not cover transport.
Site Damage
The excavator rental covers the machine. It does not cover damage to your property — irrigation lines, buried utilities, septic systems, driveways, or landscaping. Call 811 before you dig and know what's underground.
Cost-Saving Tips for Excavator Rentals
Rent the Right Duration
Calculate your project timeline honestly, add 25% buffer for first-time operators, then select the most cost-effective rental period. Weekly rates beat daily rates after day 3. Monthly rates beat weekly rates after week 2.
Reserve During Off-Peak
Winter months (December-February) see lower demand for excavation equipment in Southern Utah, though the mild climate still allows year-round work. Some rental companies offer reduced rates or waive delivery fees during slower periods.
Bundle Equipment
If you need an excavator plus a compactor plus a trailer, ask about package pricing. BeeHive Rental & Sales and other established rental companies often discount bundled rentals.
Prep Before the Machine Arrives
Every hour the excavator sits idle costs money. Before your rental period starts:
- •Mark all dig locations clearly
- •Call 811 and have utilities marked (this takes 2-3 business days)
- •Stage spoil pile locations
- •Clear the access path to the work area
- •Have haul trucks or trailers ready if you're removing material from the site
Consider Operator Skill
If you're an experienced operator, you'll move faster and can estimate rental duration accurately. If you're new to excavators, add 50% to your time estimate. A day-and-a-half project rented as a weekly saves money compared to a two-day daily rental when you inevitably need extra time.
FAQ
How much does it cost to rent an excavator for a day?
Excavator daily rental rates vary by size class: mini excavators (1-5 ton) cost $200-$425 per day, standard excavators (6-15 ton) cost $500-$1,200 per day, and large excavators (20+ ton) cost $1,000-$2,000 per day. Most residential projects use mini excavators in the $300-$400/day range. Contact BeeHive Rental & Sales at (435) 628-6663 for exact pricing.
What size excavator do I need to dig a pool?
Most residential swimming pool excavations require a 4-8 ton excavator. A 5-ton mini excavator handles standard pools (up to about 8 feet deep) efficiently, while larger or deeper pools may require a small standard excavator in the 6-8 ton range. The specific size depends on pool dimensions, depth, soil conditions, and site access. 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, not 7 times. This means you pay the equivalent of 3-4 daily rates for an entire week of access. For any project lasting more than 3 days, renting weekly saves 40-55% compared to daily rates. Monthly rates offer even greater savings for extended projects.
What additional costs should I budget for beyond the rental rate?
Beyond the base rental rate, budget for delivery and pickup ($100-$400 round trip depending on distance), attachments ($25-$250/day per attachment), fuel ($15-$200/day depending on machine size and usage), and optional damage waiver (10-15% of base rate). A realistic total budget adds 20-30% to the base rental rate. Returning equipment on time, clean, and fully fueled avoids additional surcharges.
Can I rent an excavator without experience?
Yes. No license or certification is required to rent a mini excavator for personal or residential projects. Rental companies like BeeHive Rental & Sales provide operation training with every rental, covering controls, safety features, and project-specific techniques. First-time operators should rent the smallest machine appropriate for their project and allow 50% extra time for the learning curve.
Need an accurate excavator rental quote for your specific project? BeeHive Rental & Sales has matched Southern Utah contractors and homeowners with the right excavation equipment since 1994. They'll ask about your project scope, digging depth, soil conditions, and timeline — then recommend the most cost-effective machine for the job. Call (435) 628-6663 or browse the excavator inventory to see what's available today.