How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Auger / Post Hole Digger? (2026 Rates)

Day rate

$40–$180

Week rate

$128–$648

Month rate

$340–$1,710

Updated

July 2026

A auger / post hole digger rents for $40–$180 per day, $128–$648 per week, or $340–$1,710 per month in 2026. Exact price depends on size class, your region, delivery distance, and whether you rent bare or with an operator.

Auger / Post Hole Digger rental rates by size class (US, 2026).
Size class	Day rate	Week rate	Month rate
handheld	$35–$45	$113–$161	$299–$426
one-man	$76–$97	$244–$349	$648–$922
two-man	$117–$149	$375–$538	$997–$1,419
skid-steer mounted	$158–$189	$507–$680	$1,346–$1,796

What affects auger / post hole digger rental price

Size class. Rates rise with capacity — rent the smallest machine that does the job.
Rental duration. Weekly rates are roughly 3–4× the day rate (not 7×); monthly rates are the best value per day.
Delivery and pickup. Transport is billed separately, typically $75–$200 each way.
Attachments, fuel, and damage waiver. Extras add up — ask for an all-in quote.

What size auger / post hole digger do I need?

Common jobs for a auger / post hole digger: digging post holes, fence installation, deck footings. Match the size class to the task using the rate table above — the middle of the range suits most work, while the largest classes are for heavy or production jobs.

Auger / Post Hole Digger rental cost by city

Local rates vary with supply, demand, and delivery distance. Ask for a local quote to get exact pricing and delivery radius for your metro.

How we source these rates

Our rate ranges are aggregated from public supplier pricing, marketplace listings, and rental guides across multiple regions, then updated regularly. They are indicative — confirm exact pricing when you request a quote.

Should you rent or buy?

Below ~60% utilization (under ~12–14 days a month), renting almost always costs less once maintenance, insurance, storage, and depreciation are counted. The calculator below runs your exact numbers.

Rent vs buy calculator — auger

Enter your numbers to see the monthly cost each way and the break-even point.

Purchase price ($) Rental day rate ($) Days used per month Ownership horizon (months)

Estimate only. Ownership cost assumes ~1.5%/mo of purchase price for maintenance, insurance & storage and ~55% residual value at horizon end. Rule of thumb: above ~60% utilization (12–14+ days/month) buying usually wins.

Get auger rental quotes

Tell us what you need and where — we'll send back real quotes from local suppliers.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to rent a auger / post hole digger for a day?+

Expect $40–$180 per day depending on size and region. Weekly and monthly rates lower the effective daily cost significantly, so ask for a weekly rate if your project runs more than a few days.

Is delivery included in auger / post hole digger rental?+

Usually not. Delivery and pickup are typically billed separately at $75–$200 each way depending on distance. Ask for an all-in quote that covers transport, fuel, and any damage waiver.

Do you need a license or certification to operate a auger / post hole digger?+

Requirements vary by region and job site. Many sites require operator competency or safety training even where no government license is mandated. Confirm local rules before you rent.

What size auger / post hole digger do I need?+

It depends on the task — for digging post holes, a mid-range size class is usually the sweet spot. Renting the smallest machine that does the job keeps the day rate and delivery cost down.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy a auger / post hole digger?+

Renting is cheaper if you'll use it fewer than about 12–14 days a month or for a single project under ~6 months. Above that utilization, buying usually wins once maintenance, insurance, and depreciation are counted.

What's the cheapest way to rent a auger / post hole digger?+

Book a weekly or monthly rate instead of stacking day rates, consolidate delivery with nearby work, rent the smallest suitable size, and compare quotes from several local suppliers — that typically saves 15–30%.