How much does it cost to rent a mini excavator?

[IamBruce_Driver]

I'm looking to rent a mini excavator for some general cleanup. I need to keep costs simple, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to price it.

Here's the deal: I think a 3-ton machine would be perfect for the job.

For general grading and clearing, is there any other attachment (like a grading bucket) you typically recommend that makes the job way faster?

 

[Daylan Goughman]

I just checked a few suppliers recently, and here’s a quick look at what mini excavator rentals usually cost across the U.S.:

Size / Duration	Daily Rate	Weekly Rate	Notes
General mini excavator	$150 – $350/day	$600 – $1,400/week	Smaller units at the low end
8,000 lb class	~$242/day	~$728/week
3-4 ton class (Austin, TX)	~$410-435/day	~$1,000-1,165/week	Metro rates tend to be higher
New York, NY	~$440/day	NA	Urban pricing

Rates swing a lot depending on location and attachments, but a grading bucket is definitely worth it if you're doing leveling-it saves time and gives cleaner results

 

[Buildscope]

Around here, a 3-ton mini usually rents for about $250–$350 a day, depending on the area and how long you keep it. If you’re doing grading, a tilting or wide grading bucket saves a lot of time. You might also want a rake bucket if there’s debris mixed in.