Excavators are indispensable in construction and heavy-duty projects, but they also have a heavy-duty price tag. Buying a new or used excavator can cost as little as $30,000 or as much as $750,000+! Whether you manage a surface mining operation, you manage a construction fleet, you’re a real estate developer, etc., understanding excavator costs is crucial. Let’s break down the price of different options in more detail.
How Much Do Excavators Cost?
The cost of an excavator can range from about $50,000 to $300,000+ for used models and $90,000 to $750,000+ for new models, depending on size and features. Mini Excavators on the other hand cost anywhere from $20,000 to $90,000 for a new model or between $10,000 to $50,000 for a used machine. Purchasing an excavator is no small investment, but you can also choose to rent a machine if you only need it for short-term use.
If it seems like equipment costs are higher than ever, it’s because they are. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the prices of construction machinery have shot up. The producer price of machinery (AKA, the amount companies get paid for their items) increased by over 10.6% in 2022. It increased an additional 8.8% in 2023, so in 2024, it is more important than ever to be informed when looking for the most efficient and cost-effective excavator option for your company.
While costs might be at a recent all-time high, don’t fret – it’s not impossible to find a machine in your price range as long as you know where to look.
How much does it cost to rent an excavator?
If the price of purchasing an excavator – whether new or used – isn’t realistic for you, finding an excavator for rent is another option. Excavator and track hoe rental prices will also vary based on machine size, but they’re often much more approachable.
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Daily Rates: Typically range from $200 to $3,500
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Weekly Rates: Usually between $800 and $9,000
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Monthly Rates: Generally fall between $2,000 and $22,000
Buying a New Excavator: Prices & Factors to Consider
New machinery may be more advanced than older models, but its novelty comes with a heftier price tag. Buying a new excavator is usually a significant feat, with costs averaging as follows:
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New Mini (Compact) Excavators (1-5 tons): $20,000 - $90,000
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New Mid-Sized Excavators (6-20 tons): $90,000 - $200,000
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New Large Excavators (21-45 tons): $200,000 - $400,000
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New Extra-Large Excavators (45+tons): $400,000 - $750,000+
Of course, the price you pay will vary depending on several factors, some of which you may be able to control to help yourself save money. And even if you can’t do much to change the price, you can opt for financing or leasing, which both give companies more flexibility over how and when they pay.
Factors Influencing New Excavator Prices
It likely comes as no surprise that the larger your machine is, the more it will cost. But what other factors affect how much you’ll pay for an excavator or track hoe? Let’s take a closer look.
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Technology: Newer excavators naturally come with features not found in older machinery. For instance, many recent models come with telematics systems that allow them to provide real-time data on machine performance. If you need a machine that can do it all, it might be worth paying a little more for these kinds of capabilities.
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Brand: Established brands like Caterpillar, Komatsu, and Hitachi tend to release products that are pricier than other options on the market. But with a reputable brand name can come peace of mind about your machine’s durability, quality, and performance.
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Attachments and Customization: Additional attachments (buckets, augers, grapples, etc.) will add to your total price tag. Considering you’re making such a large purchase, you may want to consider how to customize it to best suit your needs for years to come.
Operating Costs
Another thing to consider before you make a purchase is how much it will cost to keep your excavator up and running. Some potential operating costs of a new excavator to consider include:
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Fuel Efficiency: Most excavators use around 3 to 4 gallons of diesel per hour
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Maintenance: Budget about $8,000 to $15,000 annually for equipment upkeep and repairs
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Insurance: Varies based on vehicle value and usage
Buying a Used Excavator: Prices & Risks
For many businesses – especially smaller construction companies, freelance contractors, and farmers – purchasing a used excavator is the best option.
You can generally expect the cost of a used excavator to be about 20-40% lower than that of a new machine. That means used models are typically more affordable, with average costs of:
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Used Mini (Compact) Excavators (1-5 tons): $10,000 - $50,000
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Used Mid-Sized Excavators (6-20 tons): $50,000 - $150,000
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Used Large Excavators (21-45 tons): $150,000 - $300,000
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Used Extra-Large Excavators (45+ tons): $300,000 - $550,000+
Used excavators can offer significant savings but still provide the functionality you need. And, if you shop smart, you can still find used models that are in great shape.
Factors Influencing Used Excavator Prices
When you shop for a used piece of equipment, the factors you’ll want to keep in mind might look a little different than they do for new machinery. Here are a few examples to consider:
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Age and Usage: Older machines with higher hours of operation are typically cheaper but may require more maintenance over time, making them a less-than-ideal long-term option.
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Condition: Well-maintained machines that have been regularly serviced have a higher value. The same is true for newer models that have only been lightly used.
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Brand: In most cases, popular brands like Caterpillar, Komatsu, and Hitachi often have higher resale values due to their durability and market demand.
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Features: Used excavators with modern features like advanced hydraulics, GPS, and other technological enhancements may cost more.
Operating Costs/Risks
For the most part, the operating costs of a used excavator match those of a new model. But there are some other potential financial challenges you may want to note before you make an investment.
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Fuel Efficiency: Many older models consume more fuel, sometimes significantly more, than newer options, usually around 3 to 4 gallons of diesel per hour.
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Maintenance: These can vary pretty widely, but expect to spend between $8,000 and $15,000+ annually, depending on the machine’s condition and usage. Maintenance costs will probably be higher across the board for used models and may be more frequent.
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Insurance: Your insurance costs will depend on the machine’s age and its value.
How Much Does it Cost To Rent an Excavator?
Maybe buying new equipment isn’t in the cards for you at the moment. That’s okay! Finding an excavator or track hoe for rent is a great idea for short-term or specific projects. Here’s a quick price breakdown based on average rates across different rental vendors and locations:
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Rental Mini (Compact) Excavators: When renting mini excavators, daily rates typically range from $200 to $650, while weekly rates can be between $800 and $2,000. Monthly rates usually range from $2,000 to $5,000.
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Rental Mid-Sized Excavators: When renting a mid-sized excavator, daily rates are usually between $350 and $1,000, weekly rates range from $1,300 to $3,500, and monthly rates can be $3,500 to $8,500.
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Rental Large Excavators: When renting large excavators, these can cost $500 to $1,500 per day, $1,400 to $5,000 per week, and $4,000 to $14,000 per month.
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Rental Extra-Large Excavators: When renting extra-large excavators, daily rates typically range from $700 to $3,500, while weekly rates can be between $2,000 and $9,000. Monthly rates usually range from $6,000 to $22,000.
Factors Influencing Excavator Rental Prices
Once again, not all rental excavator costs will be the same, even when looking at the same brand or model. Keep in mind that factors like these might make rentals more or less expensive than average for you, so it will be best to contact equipment rental companies near you in order to find the exact cost:
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Rental Duration: It goes without saying that the longer you have the equipment, the more it costs. But it’s also worth noting that longer rental periods often come with discounted rates compared to shorter rentals.
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Location: Rates for rental equipment tend to be higher in some areas than others and can be shaped by local supply and demand. In regions with higher demand or during peak construction seasons, rental rates may increase due to limited supply. That means the prices available near you might look very different than what you find online.
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Additional Equipment: Attachments and accessories such as hydraulic hammers, grapples, and augers usually increase rental costs. Still, renting can be a great way to utilize these extra features without spending tens of thousands of dollars.
Operating Costs
Other than rental fees, what else might you have to pay for when you rent an excavator? Fuel costs will generally be the same, but you may also need to cover the cost of additional things like:
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Insurance: Rental agreements typically require the renter to cover insurance, either through the rental company or their own policy.
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Damage Liability: Renters are typically responsible for any damage to the equipment during the rental period, which can result in additional costs. In other cases, renters may be able to purchase additional damage protection plans.
Is renting the right solution for me?
We already know that renting your equipment can help you save a huge amount of money, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best idea for all businesses. Renting gives you the ability to choose specific machinery for projects, but it also means that you’ll have to rely on what’s currently available to get the job done. Plus, arranging for the delivery and return of rented equipment can be a headache.
Rentals are best for businesses with limited or individual project needs, individual contractors, or companies that are looking for the most economical solution. But if you plan to use your excavator or track hoe for years, it’s probably best to take the leap and invest in your own machine.
Find Excavators at Top Prices With Purple Wave
Whether you choose to buy new, purchase used, or rent, it’s possible to find solutions that help you get the equipment you need without breaking the bank. Weighing the pros and cons of each option is just as important as determining how much an excavator costs – in other words, the cheaper route may not always be the most efficient.
Fortunately, Purple Wave is here to help make the process of finding the right machinery a whole lot easier. As an online equipment auction company, Purple Wave gives you the easiest platform to shop for used excavators right from your phone or computer.
Our platform makes it simple to search for excavators for sale at different price points with just a few clicks. Here’s how it works:
Register Your Account
The first step is registering your account with Purple Wave. As you complete the process, you’ll provide your payment information so that you can eventually place bids on the equipment you need. With a registered account, you can browse current inventory, create watchlists, and visit past sales prices.
Place Your Bid
When you spot equipment on auction, you can place your bids. All of the excavators available for sale on Purple Wave will include contact information for the seller for total transparency. Since Purple Wave is a no-reserve auction site, the highest bidder will win regardless of price.
Complete the Sale
If you win the auction, congratulations! We’ll handle everything from here on for you. After you complete your payment, we’ll make sure your machinery is released for you to pick up.
Purple Wave gives buyers and sellers an easy and convenient way to exchange equipment and vehicles. Browse our excavators to see what exciting options are in stock today!
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