Mini excavator owner-operator

Homeowners, landscapers, small builders, plumbers and electricians who need digging done but don't own a machine.

Hourly rate with operator (often with a minimum half-day or day), or a fixed price per job, plus a float or transport fee for moving the machine.

• Confident machine operation
• Reading plans and setting levels
• Quoting jobs and managing time
• Care around underground services

• Hitting underground services: always use Before You Dig Australia and check site plans first
• Public liability and plant and equipment insurance, check what each policy covers
• Check your state's licensing body to see if a contractor licence is needed for earthworks above certain job values
• Drainage connections to sewer or stormwater often must be done by a licensed plumber or drainer, check your state's rules
• Finance repayments on machinery can be heavy in quiet months, so plan for gaps in work

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $35,000 to $90,000, depending on the machine, trailer and insurance. Finance repayments can be heavy in quiet months, so plan for gaps in work.

Always use Before You Dig Australia and check site plans first. Also check your state's licensing body on whether a contractor licence is needed above certain job values, insurance cover, and whether drainage connections must be done by a licensed plumber or drainer.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many jobs you win and their size. Hours typically start from around 20 a week, and work can be uneven.