How Much Should You Prepare For A Typical Bobcat Hire?

For more than 50 years now, Bobcats have been staples in the construction and earthmoving industry since they are one of the most versatile types of heavy equipment. Bobcats are used for tasks such as site levelling, soil and rubbish removal, turf preparation and concrete and paving preparation.

Although Bobcats can be an all-around type of heavy machinery, they can be quite expensive. As such, many businesses (and even some individuals) are choosing to go the smarter route when they need to use a Bobcat. And this cost-effective option is simply hiring a Bobcat.

Hiring A Bobcat

The cost of a typical Bobcat hire depends on several factors. However, the total cost will also hinge greatly on your choice of renting one with an experienced operator or just the equipment itself.

Investing In A Bobcat Wet Hire

If you do not have any experience operating a Bobcat or similar equipment, the smartest option for you would be to go for a wet hire wherein you hire both the equipment and the operator. In general, the cost of a wet hire ranges between $60 and $110 per hour plus GST. The adjustment in rates depends largely on the size of the business as well as overhead costs.

The total cost of a wet hire will also factor in the accessibility of the work site and the type of material that the machine will work on. Most contracting companies also set a minimum amount of time for hiring a Bobcat, usually four hours.

Opting For A Bobcat Dry Hire

If you choose to hire the Bobcat alone, the average price in Australia is between $330 and $400, depending on the type and size of the equipment. In addition to the actual cost of hiring the Bobcat, you may have to add to the total cost the transportation cost (between $70 and $185, one way).

However, if you do not have any prior experience in operating a Bobcat, a dry hire may be the costlier option since you will need to invest time in learning how to properly and safely operate the machine. Your project or work may also proceed slower because of your inexperience, which means that you have to hire the Bobcat for a few days more to practice operating it as compared to a wet hire (where you hire both the machine and the operator).

If you’re still not sure if you if a dry or wet hire is your best option, there are certain websites that can help you make the right decision. These websites will help you get all the details, quotes and prices you need to help you choose the right Bobcat hire company to work with.