How to use it
- Enter the Hourly Rate quoted by the supplier. If the quote is a daily or monthly rate, divide it by the hours it covers first.
- Enter the Hours per Day you will be billed for. Use the minimum billable hours in the quote if you will work fewer.
- Enter the Number of Days the machine stays on hire.
- Enter the Mobilization Cost for delivery to site and collection (a low-bed trailer charge, for example). Leave it at 0 if it is included in the rate.
- Read the Total Cost, Cost per Hour and Cost per Day, and use the last two to compare quotes that are priced differently.
The formula
Total cost = hourly rate × hours per day × days + mobilization. Cost per hour is the total divided by all billed hours, and cost per day is the total divided by the days. Because mobilization is spread over the hire, the cost per hour of a short hire is always higher than the quoted rate.
What changes the result
Mobilization matters most on short hires: moving a large excavator or crane on a low-bed can cost more than a day of work. Operator, fuel and standby are priced differently by each supplier - one quote may be "wet" (operator and fuel included) and another "dry". Add any separate operator or fuel charge to the hourly rate so the quotes are comparable.
Rental practice in the UAE
Quotes are usually per hour, per day or per month, with a minimum number of billable hours, and prices exclude 5% VAT unless stated. Check the quote for who pays for fuel, the operator, and any idle or standby time, then enter the total as one hourly figure. Because EquipmentsFinder is a marketplace, you contact the suppliers directly and agree the terms with them.
Worked examples
- A machine hired at AED 250 an hour for 8 hours a day over 5 days, with delivery included in the rate, costs AED 10,000.00 in total, or AED 2,000.00 a day.
- Add AED 1,500 for the low-bed to bring the same machine to site and the total becomes AED 11,500.00, which is AED 287.50 per billed hour.
- A crawler excavator at AED 400 an hour, 10 hours a day for a month (30 days) plus AED 3,000 mobilization costs AED 123,000.00, an average of AED 4,100.00 a day.
- A two-day hire of a skid steer at AED 180 an hour for 6 hours a day, with AED 800 mobilization, works out at AED 246.67 an hour - well above the quoted rate because the delivery charge is spread over such a short hire.
Rental cost by number of days
Printable chart| Days on hire | Total cost | Cost per hour | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AED 3,500.00 | AED 437.50 | AED 3,500.00 |
| 2 | AED 5,500.00 | AED 343.75 | AED 2,750.00 |
| 3 | AED 7,500.00 | AED 312.50 | AED 2,500.00 |
| 5 | AED 11,500.00 | AED 287.50 | AED 2,300.00 |
| 7 | AED 15,500.00 | AED 276.79 | AED 2,214.29 |
| 10 | AED 21,500.00 | AED 268.75 | AED 2,150.00 |
| 14 | AED 29,500.00 | AED 263.39 | AED 2,107.14 |
| 21 | AED 43,500.00 | AED 258.93 | AED 2,071.43 |
| 30 | AED 61,500.00 | AED 256.25 | AED 2,050.00 |
| 60 | AED 121,500.00 | AED 253.13 | AED 2,025.00 |
| 90 | AED 181,500.00 | AED 252.08 | AED 2,016.67 |
At AED 250 an hour, 8 hours a day and AED 1,500 mobilization. The longer the hire, the closer the cost per hour gets to the hourly rate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate equipment rental cost?
Multiply the hourly rate by the hours per day and the number of days, then add mobilization. The calculator above does this and also gives the cost per hour and per day.
Should I include the operator in the rental cost?
Yes, if the operator is billed separately. Add the operator’s hourly charge to the hourly rate so you compare like with like against a quote that includes one.
How do I handle standby time?
Reduce the hours per day to the hours you will actually work, or use a blended hourly rate that includes the standby rate for the idle hours.
Where do I put delivery and transport charges?
In the Mobilization Cost field. Include the cost of both delivery and collection if the supplier charges for each.
Is VAT included?
No. Add 5% UAE VAT to the total, or use the VAT calculator, unless the supplier states that the price already includes it.
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