Blog>Cost Guides>Mini digger hire: Cost breakdown 2025
Last updated: 2 July 2025
Mini digger hire: Cost breakdown 2025
If you've got renovations coming up that involve groundwork, you may need to hire a mini digger. Find out how much you'll need to budget in our guide.
Mini diggers are an essential piece of kit for many groundwork and landscaping tasks, especially if you're working in a tight space. Read on for a full cost breakdown of what to expect to pay for mini digger rental in the UK.
Fast Facts
Mini digger hire costs average between £80–£240 per day
Adding an operator will increase overall costs by around £270 per day
Digger size, length of hire, and whether an operator is needed will all impact costs
How much does mini digger hire cost in 2025?
On average, mini digger hire costs £160 per day in the UK, with cost variations depending on the type of digger, the duration of time you need to hire the digger, and your location.
The costs in this guide don't include VAT, drop-off and pick-up, fuel, insurance, or an operator.
| Cost provided item | Unit | Cost + VAT (Lower range) | Cost + VAT (Higher range) | Average UK cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro digger | Per day | £50 | £175 | £125 |
| Mini digger | Per day | £80 | £240 | £160 |
| Larger digger (2.8t) | Per day | £190 | £390 | £290 |
| Mini dumper | Per day | £76 | £236 | £156 |
| Operator | Per day | £220 | £320 | £270 |
| Last updated: April 2025 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||||
Cost of mini digger hire in the UK
Knowing which size is best for your needs can help keep costs under control and increase the efficiency of your project. Most small, domestic projects, such as garden renovations and digging fence posts, need a 1.5 tonne mini digger.
Micro digger hire cost (0.8T - 1.5T)
Ideal for smaller jobs in your garden, such as building a pond
Average micro digger hire cost per day: £125
Mini digger hire cost (1.5T)
Strong, manoeuvrable, and fit for most small excavation projects
Average mini digger hire cost per day: £160
Small digger hire cost (2.8T)
Typically used for larger landscaping jobs and small construction work
Average cost of hiring a small digger per day: £290
Mini digger hire prices per day
The average cost of mini digger hire per day in the UK is as follows:
£125 for a micro digger (0.8T)
£160 for a mini digger (1.5T)
£290 for a small digger (2.8T)
Cost of mini digger hire with a driver
While an operator may cost £270 per day, they can make your job significantly easier, and you'll also save on the cost of insurance.
Tip: Most mini digger rental companies will offer insurance to cover theft or damage cover, whether to the digger or third-party damage. However, if you hire an operator, they’ll have their own insurance. As a result, your mini digger hire cost could be lower than getting it with insurance.
Start your search for local mini digger companies today
Search your postcode to see available mini digger services covering your local area. Discuss your needs and get a checked tradesperson to help select the best machine for your project.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
Mini digger hire prices for common UK projects
Small digger hire can be pricier than you might think. That's why it's important to choose the right size for your requirements and not overpay for the task at hand.
Here are some example mini digger hire prices based on common projects:
Digging a pond or trench (1 day): Average micro digger rental cost £125
Levelling a small garden (3 days): Average mini digger rental cost £330
Excavating foundations (7 days): Average cost of renting a larger digger £425
A mini dumper can also be hired, helping to speed up a project. Expect to pay in the region of £156 per day for mini dumper hire.
Mini digger hire: Job estimator tool
Use our job estimator tool below to help calculate how much you should pay to rent a mini digger in your area.
Need help working out cost? Our job estimate tool calculates the costs for you.
Factors affecting the cost of mini digger hire
As we've touched upon, several factors will impact the cost of small digger hire. Let's take a look in more detail.
Size of digger
As outlined in our cost table, larger machines cost more to rent.
Duration of hire
Most digger companies give you a slightly reduced price if you hire a mini digger for more than one day.
Location
Expect mini digger hire prices to be higher in London and the South East.
Time of week
When you hire can also impact the price you pay to rent a mini digger — weekend hire rates can be more expensive than mid-week.
Hidden costs to watch out for
The cost of mini digger rental can soon add up, so it's best to have a clear picture of what to expect, including hidden extras, before you hire. Here are some of the less obvious costs to watch out for:
Deposit: Often a percentage of the day rate, but sometimes charged as a fixed fee
Drop off and pick up fees: This can add anywhere between £10–£30 to hire costs, depending on distance
Insurance: Third-party theft and liability, which varies from policy to policy. This may be included or charged separately
Fuel: Your digger needs fuel, and depending on the size of the job at hand, you might need to top up
Damage waiver: An optional cost, but it can prevent extra charges. Average cost, between £10–£50
Extra days required: Usually charged at two-thirds of the day rate, so it's often more cost-effective to hire for a week than odd days
Accessories: Different jobs will require different digger accessories, and these may cost extra
Do I need to hire a mini digger?
Mini diggers are perfect for smaller jobs. They're efficient machines that make short work of projects such as:
Landscaping and garden renovations
Digging holes for laying foundations, fence posts, ponds, or pools
Levelling ground and packing it in
Removing tree stumps
Clearing snow for easier access to your worksite
Cost of mini digger hire with driver vs DIY
Hiring a digger and driver for the day costs around £270 per day.
However, bear in mind, hiring a mini digger driver can bring cost-saving benefits to your project:
Their skill and experience will increase efficiency
This means most small jobs can be completed more quickly
They also have their own insurance
In turn, you save time and money
Benefits of hiring a mini digger and driver
Another factor to consider is safety. A mini digger is a sizeable piece of machinery that weighs roughly the same as two adult cows - imagine the potential damage that it could do to your garden structures if not handled correctly.
If you don't feel confident behind the controls, hire an operator for the duration of your hire. Find a checked digger company near you.
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
How to save money on small excavator hire
When looking for a mini digger hire quote, you can get a better deal if you keep certain things in mind:
Look locally: We always encourage supporting local businesses. However, this move is also for your benefit. If the company is transporting the mini digger locally, you won’t need to pay the cost of fuel for longer distances
Provide an accurate timeline: If you think you need the mini digger for a certain number of days, make sure you have accounted for any delays. It will cost you more to add days to the pre-agreed time later than to book the digger for a block of days
Do it yourself: If you can operate the mini digger yourself, you’d be able to save on operator costs, which can be as high as £270 per day
Insurance cost: If you're operating the mini digger yourself, you will need to invest in insurance, which will add to your mini digger hire quote. It might be cheaper for you to hire an operator, which will not only save you insurance money but also give you peace of mind in case the digger suffers any damage
Mini digger hire cost checklist UK
Choose the right size digger for your project
Ask about insurance costs and delivery/collection fees
Decide if you need an operator
Consider the duration of hire carefully; savings can be made for full-week rental vs the odd day
Double-check details on the damage waiver, fuel, and VAT
Get at least three quotes from digger companies covering your local area to ensure you get a fair and competitive price
Find a checked digger hire company near you
Ready to find mini digger services for your next project? Enter your postcode below to get started.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
Mini digger hire: FAQs
Can anyone hire a mini digger?
While anyone over 18 with a valid ID can hire a mini digger for personal or domestic use, for safety purposes, you must have a proper understanding of how the machine works. You will also need proof of address, a deposit, and insurance. For commercial projects, you will need to have the necessary certifications, e.g. CSCS or NPORS.
How much to hire a mini digger for a day?
On average, mini digger hire costs £160 per day in the UK.
How much to hire a mini digger for a week?
For a larger project, such as excavating foundations, you may wish to hire a larger digger. Expect to pay in the region of £425 to rent a larger digger for a week.
Where can I hire a mini digger in the UK?
National firms such as HSS, Jewson, or Brandon Hire, along with local plant hire companies near you.
How much fuel does a mini digger use in a day?
Under normal use, you can expect a mini digger to use around 3.5 litres of diesel per hour, which equates to around 28 litres per day.
What’s the difference between a mini digger and a micro digger?
Micro diggers are smaller (0.8–1.5T) and fit through narrow spaces, while mini diggers are larger (1.5T) and are more suited to bigger jobs.
Is hiring a mini digger worth it?
Yes, if you’re doing groundworks, landscaping, or trenching, a mini digger can save time and manual labour, often paying for itself in the efficiency you’ll gain.
Is it hard to operate a mini digger?
Basic operation is fairly straightforward with a little bit of practice. Most hire companies will offer a quick tutorial to make sure you know what you’re doing. For more complex tasks, it’s a good idea to hire an operator.
Do I need insurance to hire a mini digger?
Throughout its hire period, you are responsible for the mini digger's condition and operation. This includes any damage or injury to third parties. Some hire costs will include insurance, but always make sure you read the policy before you agree to its terms.
What’s the smallest digger you can hire?
The smallest excavator available to hire is a micro digger, usually with an average operating weight of 0.8 tonnes. These diggers are designed to fit through side gates or alleyways into back gardens.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
More Cost Guides
More Mini / Micro Digger Hire Articles
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job