For many small contractors, tradies, landscapers, and DIYers, a mini excavator is often one of the top equipment considerations. Is it better to purchase or to rent?
Advantages of Owning
Full Control of Your Schedule
❌ Renting Problems
- • Book days in advance
- • Fixed return date pressure
- • No flexibility for extra jobs
- • Schedule thrown off by delays
✓ Ownership Benefits
- • Machine always on your lot
- • No hourly charges
- • Take jobs as they come
- • Meet deadlines stress-free
Fixed Costs Beat Rising Rental Fees
Predictable Overhead
Once the loan is paid off, your only costs are fuel and regular maintenance.
Owning equipment builds long-term value for your business
Do More with the Right Tools
Rental companies offer attachments separately—and hope they're available when you need them.
Earn Money Even When Not Using It
💰 Rental Income
Rent out your excavator during slow weeks. The rental income goes directly into your pocket.
📈 Resale Value
Mini excavators hold their value well. Recover a good portion of your investment.
When Renting Makes Sense
- Very short-term jobs (under a week)
- Want to try a model before buying
- Extremely limited storage space
- Rarely perform excavation work
But for most small contractors and frequent operators, these conditions do not apply. The long-term math usually favours buying.
Buy vs Rent at a Glance
✓ Buying
- ✓ Full schedule control
- ✓ Predictable costs
- ✓ Take more jobs
- ✓ Generate rental income
- ✓ Strong resale value
- ✓ Tax benefits
- ✓ Choose your attachments
⏱️ Renting
- • Lower upfront cost
- • No maintenance responsibility
- • Good for one-off projects
- • Try before you buy
- • No storage required
- • Fixed return date pressure
- • Costs add up quickly
Ownership Gives You:
"A mini excavator is not just a machine—it's an investment in your business's future."
Browse our mini excavator range or check customer reviews.