Updated October 2026
Excavators do the heavy digging behind foundations, utilities, landscaping, demolition and drainage work. Prices range from the cost of a pickup truck for a small mini excavator to well over half a million dollars for large production machines. This guide gives 2026 price ranges for buying and renting by size, explains the ongoing costs, and helps you decide what makes sense for your business.
Excavator sizes at a glance
Table of Contents
| Class | Typical weight | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| Mini (compact) | About 1 to 5 tons | Landscaping, trenching, utilities, residential work, tight spaces |
| Mid-size | About 6 to 10 tons | Larger trenches, site prep, small commercial projects |
| Standard and large | Over 10 tons | Commercial construction, mass excavation, demolition, quarries |
How much does a new excavator cost?
Equipment auction company Purple Wave puts new excavator prices anywhere from about $30,000 to more than $750,000, depending on size and specification. For the class most small businesses buy first:
| Class | Typical new price |
|---|---|
| Mini (1 to 5 tons) | About $20,000 to $90,000 |
| Mid-size | Higher, often well into six figures for well-equipped machines |
| Large | Hundreds of thousands of dollars, rising with size and technology |
Price drivers include operating weight, digging depth, engine power, hydraulic flow, cab features, technology such as grade control, and attachments.
How much does a used excavator cost?
Used excavators commonly sell for about 20% to 40% less than new, according to Purple Wave, with used minis often in the $10,000 to $50,000 range depending on age, hours and condition.
What to check before buying used
- Hours and service records. Regular maintenance matters more than age alone.
- Undercarriage. Tracks, rollers, idlers and sprockets are expensive to replace.
- Hydraulics. Look for leaks, slow or jerky movements and damaged hoses.
- Pins and bushings. Excess play in the boom, stick and bucket joints means wear.
- Swing bearing and final drives. Listen and feel for noise or roughness.
- Emissions equipment on newer diesel models, which can be costly to repair.
Have an independent mechanic inspect any used machine, and run it under load before you buy.
Excavator rental rates
Renting avoids the upfront cost and is often the right choice for occasional work. Typical national ranges reported by Purple Wave:
| Class | Daily | Weekly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | About $200 to $650 | About $800 to $2,000 | Varies |
| Mid-size | About $350 to $1,000 | About $1,300 to $3,500 | About $3,500 to $8,500 |
| Large | About $500 to $1,500 | About $1,400 to $5,000 | About $4,000 to $14,000 |
Local listings for small minis in 2026 include rates around $260 a day with a bucket. Add delivery and pickup, damage waivers, fuel, cleaning charges and attachments when comparing quotes.
Attachments: what they do and why they matter
Attachments turn an excavator into a far more useful (and profitable) machine. Budget for the ones you’ll actually use:
- Hydraulic thumb. Lets the machine grab logs, rocks and debris. One of the most popular add-ons for landscaping and clearing.
- Tilt and grading buckets. Wider, flatter buckets for shaping slopes, ditches and final grades.
- Trenching buckets. Narrow buckets for utility lines and irrigation.
- Hydraulic breaker (hammer). Breaks concrete, rock and asphalt for demolition work.
- Auger. Drills holes for fence posts, footings and tree planting.
- Quick coupler. Speeds up attachment changes, saving labor on jobs that need several tools.
Attachments that need auxiliary hydraulics require a machine equipped for them, so check before buying. Rental companies usually rent attachments separately.
Safety rules every excavator owner should know
- Call 811 before you dig. It’s the national call-before-you-dig number, and utility lines must be marked before excavation begins. Hitting a gas or electric line is dangerous and expensive.
- Trenching protection. Federal OSHA rules generally require protective systems, such as sloping, shoring or trench boxes, for trenches 5 feet deep or more, unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock, and a competent person must inspect excavations.
- Operator training. Train operators on the specific machine, including safe swing areas, stability on slopes and loading onto trailers.
- Transport rules. Moving a machine on public roads requires the right trailer, tie-downs and, for heavier loads, attention to weight limits and licensing for the towing vehicle.
Ownership and operating costs
Beyond the purchase price, budget for:
- Fuel, which depends on machine size and hours.
- Maintenance: oil, filters, greasing and scheduled service.
- Wear parts: bucket teeth, cutting edges, rubber or steel tracks and other undercarriage components.
- Transport: a trailer and truck capable of moving the machine, or delivery fees.
- Insurance for the machine and your work.
- Attachments: thumbs, breakers, augers, tilt buckets and quick couplers.
- Operator wages and training.
- Storage and security, since compact equipment is a common target for theft; consider GPS tracking and a secure yard.
Mini excavator or skid steer: which should you buy first?
Many small contractors can only justify one machine at first. The choice depends on the work you do most:
- Choose a mini excavator if your jobs involve digging: trenches, footings, ponds, stumps, drainage and utility work. It digs deeper and more precisely, and swings 360 degrees.
- Choose a skid steer or compact track loader if your jobs involve moving and grading material: spreading gravel and soil, clearing, loading trucks and site cleanup. With attachments it can also dig shallow trenches and drill holes.
Many landscapers and excavation businesses eventually own both, renting the second machine until demand justifies buying it. Compare prices in our skid steer cost guide.
Buy, rent or lease?
| If you… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Need an excavator a few days a month | Renting |
| Use one most working days | Buying, new or used |
| Want predictable monthly payments and newer equipment | Leasing or financing |
| Are testing a new service line | Renting first, then buying once demand is proven |
A useful test: add up a year of expected rental costs, including delivery, and compare it with the yearly cost of owning (loan payments or depreciation, insurance, maintenance and transport). When rental costs approach ownership costs, buying starts to make sense. See how to finance business growth for equipment financing options.
Starting a business with an excavator
A mini excavator can be the core of a profitable small business:
- Excavation and trenching services for plumbers, electricians, landscapers and homeowners.
- Landscaping and hardscaping, such as ponds, retaining walls and drainage. See our landscape installation business guide.
- Septic, drainage and utility work, often requiring licenses.
- Equipment rental to contractors and homeowners.
Check licensing in your state: many states require a contractor license for excavation work above a set value, and digging near utilities requires calling 811 before you dig. Read our home services industry profile and estimate your numbers with the break-even calculator.
Example: owning a mini excavator for a landscaping business
A landscaper rents a mini excavator about six days a month at roughly $300 a day plus delivery, around $2,000 a month in total. A used mini at about $35,000, financed over five years, might cost a comparable monthly amount including insurance and maintenance, while also earning money on extra jobs and building equity. In that situation, buying a well-inspected used machine is likely to pay off. With only a few days of use a month, renting stays cheaper.
This example is illustrative; use your own quotes and financing terms.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the cheapest way to get an excavator? Renting for short jobs, or buying a used mini with a professional inspection for regular work. Auctions can offer lower prices, but you’ll usually buy as-is with limited chance to inspect, so they suit experienced buyers best.
How long do excavators last? With good maintenance, many machines run for many thousands of hours; undercarriage and hydraulics are the main wear items.
Which brands hold their value best? Well-known brands with strong dealer networks generally have better resale values and easier access to parts and service, which matters as much as the purchase price.
Is a mini excavator enough for my business? For most landscaping, utility and residential work, yes. Choose by the deepest trench and heaviest lifting you’ll do regularly, plus the access width at typical job sites.
Do I need a license to operate an excavator? Rules vary. Many states don’t license individual operators for private work, but contractor licensing, safety training and utility locating rules often apply.
Next steps
See how to finance business growth, plan with the startup cost calculator, and explore landscaping business ideas.
Prices are typical ranges as of October 2026 and vary by region, dealer and specification. Get several quotes before buying or renting.
Sources
- Purple Wave, Excavator cost guide
- Machinery Trader, mini excavator rental listings (2026)
- US Small Business Administration, Loans
Last reviewed October 20, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.
I am looking for a new excavator for my construction company here in Oregon. This post has really helped me find out the cost of a new excavator and other specs.