Buy or rent a mini excavator – make the right choice

Last Updated: March 27, 2025Categories: EquipmentBy 4.1 min read

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Are you in the construction industry and need a mini excavator for your projects or you’re just a DIY homeowner? The decision to buy or rent can be a tough one, but we’re here to help you make the right choice! Mini excavators are compact, versatile machines that can handle a wide range of tasks, from digging foundations and trenches to landscaping and demolition work. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of buying or renting a mini excavator to help you determine which option is best for your construction needs. If you’re looking for flexibility and don’t want to commit to a long-term investment, renting a mini excavator might be the ideal solution. Renting allows you to access the equipment you need for specific projects without the upfront costs of purchasing and maintaining a machine. On the other hand, buying a mini excavator can offer long-term cost savings and the convenience of having the equipment always available on-site. No matter which option you choose, finding the right mini excavator that meets your requirements is crucial. We’ll discuss the key factors to consider, such as size, digging depth, and attachments, to help you make an informed decision. Read on to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of buying and renting mini excavators and make the right choice for your construction needs!

One thing that homeowners have in common is their desire to make homes more beautiful. When there is a sense of ownership, there is a sense of responsibility and it translates to wanting you house to be presented in the best possible way.

digging around the house with mini excavator

Whether you want to landscape your front or backyard, add a pond or perhaps a pool for you and your family to enjoy, there are endless possibilities on how your home can be made even more attractive and comfortable. One this is for sure, you will need equipment for this kind of undertaking.

While there are people who hire contractors to do the work, there are also those who are not afraid to do a little do it yourself. If you’re one who is not afraid to get his hands dirty, you might have considered renting a mini excavator for your needs. But consider the following reasons to convince you that it is actually better to buy one instead of renting.

It is available to you 24/7 – the truth is homeowners will always find something to improve in their homes. If you buy your mini excavator instead or renting it, it will be available to you all the time and you don’t need to wait. This is great for moments when you suddenly want to rearrange your front yard, and you find out that the usual company you rent it from does not have one available.

It might prove to be cheaper than just renting – if you frequently use a mini excavator, you should count the cost of charges. For projects that may take at least four to six months, most experts would say that it would be wiser to just purchase one. You might not realize it, but when you rent for a long time, you’re already paying more than the purchase price of some types of mini excavators.

using super mini excavator for small trench

You can get a return on investment – if you do not use your equipment all the time, you can actually make money off of it by renting it out to people who might be needing a mini-excavator. Don’t think that you’re going to lose money just because you will only use it a few times a year, ask friends who you know wants to do a little renovation in their home and volunteer your equipment for them to use.

You can use them during emergencies – in cases of natural disasters, a mini excavator can be of use. For example, when a tree falls or you need to extract something from under a small pile of rubble, you can use a mini excavator to assist you in those times.

With the money that you save, you can use it for other home projects – when you factor in the cost of renting excavator over a long period of time, you can save more money if you just buy your equipment. With that saved money, you can now plan for more projects that you have been dying to do but never had the budget for.

Hiring an excavation company for projects that can be done with a mini excavator isn’t a good financial decision. If you want to purchase a mini excavator, but your budget is not enough for brand new ones, consider buying used mini excavators for sale. Used mini excavator might be half the price or even cheaper than that but if you bu it from a respected shop it will be well maintained and often comes with a warranty.

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About the author – John Barnes

John Barnes - author at Handyman tipsHandyman tips website was created by John Barnes from Phoenix, Arizona, in February 2014. John wanted to share with the public his 20 year experience in home improvement as a contractor and avid woodworker. John noticed that there aren’t many expert advice online and he wanted to help the public to get true expert tips and estimates. What started as a hobby soon became a full time job as Handyman tips website became very popular because of the quality of tips it provides. After a few years John has introduces a couple of new content creators into Handyman tips team but he is still the main content creator on Handyman tips website.

Leave A Comment

  1. Taylor Hansen July 22, 2020 at 3:49 pm

    Thanks for mentioning using a mini excavator to dig a hole or removing a fallen tree. There is a big oak that fell in my yard and I need a way to get rid of it. It’s probably smart to rent a min excavator to get rid of the tree completely.

  2. Anonymous July 14, 2020 at 8:07 am

    I like that you said individuals who will use a mini excavator for four to six months long, should consider buying one instead of renting one because it might be cheaper. My dad is planning to build a pool in our backyard, which is why he needs a mini excavator. Since the project would only take two months maximum, it would be wiser for us to rent one instead of buying. Thanks for your article!

  3. Ridley Fitzgerald July 3, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    It’s good to know about getting an excavator. We’re probably going to need one for our landscaping project, so this is helpful. Honestly, I may be one of those people who hire someone to help us with our project, like you mentioned.