Mini excavator and site prep service
Dig, grade and move dirt for homeowners and small builders with your own mini excavator and trailer.
- $15k-60k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
41,777 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.3% in a year
NAICS 238910 “Site preparation contractors”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
Small-scale excavation and site prep done with your own compact equipment: trenching for drainage and utilities, digging footings, grading yards, clearing pads for sheds, garages and patios, and prepping driveways.
Your first three steps
- Get hands-on training or work a season for an excavation contractor, then price a used mini excavator, trailer and tow vehicle
- Check your state contractor licensing board and your city or county for license, permit and grading rules, and form an LLC if it suits you
- Get quotes for general liability, commercial auto and equipment insurance, then offer your first jobs to landscapers and neighbors
Who pays
Homeowners, landscapers, fence and deck builders, small home builders and farm or rural property owners.
How it makes money
Hourly rate for you and the machine, or a fixed price per job. Many operators set a minimum charge to cover hauling the equipment to the site.
Skills that help
- Operating a mini excavator or skid steer safely
- Reading grades, drainage and simple site plans
- Estimating jobs and pricing fairly
- Towing and hauling equipment
Watch out for
- Call 811 before every dig to have underground utilities marked, and check your state's rules
- Many states require a contractor license above a certain job size, check your state licensing board
- Check whether your truck and trailer weight needs a CDL or special registration in your state
- Stormwater, erosion control and grading permits may apply on some sites, check with your county
- General liability, commercial auto and equipment insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
- Equipment loans and repairs are a large fixed cost, so keep a cash reserve
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: mini excavator and site prep service
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mini excavator business?
Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the equipment, trailer and insurance you need. Equipment loans and repairs are a large fixed cost, so it helps to keep a cash reserve.
How much can a mini excavator and site prep service earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the jobs you win, job size, pricing and how many hours you work. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours a week.
What rules should I check before starting an excavation business?
Call 811 before every dig and check your state's rules. Also check your state licensing board for contractor license thresholds, whether your truck and trailer weight needs a CDL or special registration, county stormwater or grading permits, and your insurance needs.
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