Need an excavator for digging, a skid-steer to clear a plot, or a loader? Before you hire, read this: what to prepare on site, which machine suits your job, and the questions that protect you from idle hours and hidden costs.
Prepare the site before the machine arrives, so you don't pay for idle hours.
Digging, backfilling or clearing land? How big and how deep? The company will suggest the right machine.
Make sure the truck carrying the machine can reach the site, with space to unload.
Before digging, find out where water, power and telecom lines run, from the plot plans or an engineer.
Mark the plot boundaries and any areas that mustn't be dug.
⚠️ Hire the machine with a professional operator, and never drive it yourself. Keep children and other people well away from the work area.
Most problems come from something that wasn't agreed.
Most people need the machine with a professional operator. Using it without experience is dangerous.
Some prices include diesel and some don't. A big difference in cost.
A "day" is 8 hours at some companies and less at others. Ask exactly.
Before digging, find out where water, power and telecom lines run.
Some work in the street or public places needs a municipality permit.
If the machine breaks down mid-job, who pays for the lost time? Agree beforehand.
The company will suggest the best fit if you explain the job.
Small and quick.
For deeper digging and heavier work.
For loading and moving soil and materials.
Prepare the site before the machine arrives, so you don't pay for idle hours.
Keep children and workers well away from where the machine works.
Mark the plot boundaries and services before digging starts.
If you need more than one machine or a long period, ask for a special price.
Ask before you hire. A good company won't mind.
Explain the job (digging, backfilling, clearing land) so they suggest the right machine and size.
Operator, diesel, transport to site: everything in writing.
Ask exactly how many working hours a day includes.
Ask about its age and maintenance, and see it first if you can.
Insurance: who pays if there's an accident on site? And for breakdowns?
Period, price, working hours and cancellation, in a contract or message.
One sign on its own doesn't prove anything, but take care if you see them.
Operating it without experience is dangerous. Ask for a professional operator.
Then diesel and transport come extra. Ask for an all-in price in writing.
Oil leaks or obvious faults. Ask about maintenance.
If it breaks down, who pays for the lost time? Write it down first.
Rough prices. Use them to spot a quote that's way off, not as fixed prices. The price depends on the machine's size, the hire period, and whether the operator and diesel are included.
| Service | Rough price |
|---|---|
| Skid-steer loader (per day) | From SAR 200 – 350 |
| Small 3.5-tonne excavator (per day) | From SAR 500 |
| Large excavator (per day) | SAR 800 – 2,000 |
| Small wheel loader (per day) | From SAR 500 |
| Excavator (per month) | SAR 12,000 – 30,000 |
💡 Monthly hire is usually much cheaper than daily (some companies say 30–40%). For a long job, ask for the monthly price.
🚛 Ask whether the price includes transporting the machine to the site and back. It's sometimes charged separately.
A rough guide from 5 sources in Riyadh (October 2026), mostly price pages of equipment hire companies. Sources vary a lot. The final price is agreed between you and the company. Laqeeni doesn't set prices or take commission.
A skid-steer is small and quick for clearing and moving material in tight spaces. An excavator is for deeper digging and heavier work.
Some companies hire by the hour for small jobs, but most have a minimum of half a day or a day.
No. Laqeeni is a directory that connects you with the company directly. You agree and pay between you.
Last updated: October 2026
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