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P.O. Box 772 CIVIC SQUARE ACT 2608

Mini Digger Hire in Canberra

Mini digger hire in Canberra from ACT House & Landscaping Maintenance works two ways: you can rent the machine and do the digging yourself, or book it with one of our team at the controls. A mini digger is a compact excavator, small enough to get into backyards and side passages a full-size machine cannot reach. It suits trenches, footings, post holes and site preparation on home and commercial jobs. Below is how to choose between the two options and what to sort out before the bucket goes in.

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  • Open 7 days, 8am to 8pm

Two ways to use mini digger hire

Rent the machine

We offer flexible rental options, so you can keep the digger for the period your project needs. Renting puts you in charge of when and how the work is done, and it makes sense when you are confident on the controls and the job is straightforward.

Book an operated digger

With the contractor option, the machine arrives with an operator who does the digging. You avoid the risks of running heavy equipment yourself, and an experienced operator reads the ground as the trench goes down.

Our guide on hiring versus a contractor compares the two in more detail.

Which option suits your job

  • A short, shallow trench in open ground, and you have run a digger before: renting is often enough.
  • Footings that have to be set out accurately, or digging close to the house: an operator is the safer choice.
  • Work near known pipes or cables: book the operated option, so the dig is planned around them.
  • A large open area that only needs levelling or grading: our bobcat service usually covers it faster than a digger.

Some projects need both machines, the digger for trenches and the bobcat to spread and level. If you are not sure, describe the whole job and we will suggest the combination.

Where a mini digger earns its keep

The machine is at its best in tight access and precise digging. Typical uses include trenches for water pipes, power or drainage, footings for walls and small structures, garden beds and ponds in a landscaping overhaul, and clearing old concrete or stumps. Its smaller size and lighter weight also suit soft ground and established yards, where a bigger machine would leave more damage.

For bigger site work, the digger is one part of our wider earth moving service.

Before you dig: underground services

Whoever is driving, the most serious risk with any mini digger hire is hitting something buried. WorkSafe ACT notes that underground assets supply electricity, communications, gas, water and sewerage, and that damaging one during excavation can cause injury or death. If an asset is struck, work must stop immediately and WorkSafe ACT has to be notified.

Before digging, request the plans for your address through Before You Dig Australia and mark the lines on the ground.

Common questions

Do I need experience to rent a mini digger?

We only suggest renting if you are comfortable operating an excavator. If you have not used one before, book the digger with our operator instead, so you still get the machine without the learning curve.

How long can I hire the digger for?

The hire period is flexible. Tell us the dates and the size of the job, and we will confirm what is available.

Do you bring the machine to my site?

Ask when you book. How the digger gets to your property depends on the job and the dates, so we confirm the arrangements with you over the phone.

When can I call about a booking?

Any day of the week between 8am and 8pm. Ring 0406 700 400 with the dates you have in mind.

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