Mini excavator owner-operator business

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

Hourly rate for you and the machine, or a fixed price per job. Extra charges for hauling the machine, disposing of soil and supplying gravel.

• Safe machine operation
• Reading site plans and measuring levels
• Quoting jobs accurately
• Reliable scheduling with trades

• Always locate buried utilities before digging; check your province's one-call or locate service, as rules differ
• Provincial workplace safety rules on trench depth, shoring and training; check with your WCB/WSIB or provincial regulator
• Insurance that covers damage to buried lines, plus equipment theft cover
• Towing and vehicle weight rules for your truck and trailer; check your provincial licensing office
• Winter frost and spring thaw can stop work for weeks, so plan your cash flow
• Septic and some drainage work may need provincial or municipal certification or permits; check before taking these jobs

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $30,000 to $90,000, depending on the machine, its age and condition, and your trailer and towing setup. A used mini excavator and trailer are the main items.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many jobs you win, the type of work and your pricing. Winter frost and spring thaw can stop work for weeks, so plan your cash flow.

Check how to locate buried utilities through your province's one-call service, plus provincial workplace safety rules on trench depth and training. Also check insurance for damage to buried lines, towing and weight rules, and permits for septic or drainage work.