Equipment Rental Cost Calculator
Rental cost = best of (daily × days) vs. (weekly × weeks) vs. (monthly × months) — picks the cheapest tier.
Result
Loading calculator…
—
How to use this calculator
- Enter days needed (round up — they don't prorate hours).
- Get all three rate tiers from the rental yard.
- Compare totals — cross-over usually happens at 4-5 days and 10-12 days.
- Add delivery + fees once.
About this calculator
Rental yards (United, Sunbelt, Home Depot) charge in tiers — and the tiers cross over fast. A skid steer at $250/day, $750/week, $2,200/month: at 4 days you save $250 by paying for a week. At 11 days you save $250 by paying for a month. Always price all three tiers — many small contractors leave hundreds on the table by defaulting to "I need it 10 days, so 10 × daily." Add delivery, pickup, fuel, damage waiver, and tax — typically $100-300 in fees on top of any rental.
Frequently asked
Why does weekly often beat 5 daily days?+
Yards price weekly at ~3× daily, so a week costs as much as 3 days but covers 7. Once you need 4+ days, weekly often wins.
Damage waiver worth it?+
Usually 12-15% of rental. Skip if you're fully insured and operating carefully. Pay if you're moving dirt with subs you don't know.
Is fuel included?+
Almost never — return it full or pay $5-7/gal at premium yard prices. Fill before you return.
Should I buy used instead?+
For 4+ weeks of intermittent use, often yes. Used skid steers, scaffolding, and dump trailers hold value well if maintained.
What about Home Depot vs. United?+
HD is cheaper but inventory thin. United/Sunbelt deeper inventory, contractor accounts, but list rates higher (negotiate).
Related calculators
Contractor Markup Calculator
Invoice = (material + labor) × (1 + markup %). Standard residential markup is 15-25%; remodeling 20-30%.
Change Order Cost Impact Calculator
Revised total = base contract + change orders + contingency. Track scope creep against budget.
Project Cash Flow Calculator
Monthly cash flow = inflows (loan draws, owner contributions) − outflows (labor, materials) over project duration.
Days to Completion (for Budget) Calculator
Days = remaining budget / daily burn rate. Works backward from spend to project schedule.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator
Kitchen remodel cost = sq ft × $/ft² (basic / mid-range / luxury) + appliance package.
Deck Build Cost Calculator
Deck cost = sq ft × material rate. Pressure-treated, cedar, composite, and hardwood pricing built in.