The Benefits of Hiring a Digger vs. Buying One in New Zealand

accounts1358
Apr 1
2 min read

If you’re planning a construction, landscaping, or earthworks project in Auckland, you might be wondering whether it's better to hire a digger or buy one outright. While purchasing might seem like a good long-term investment, the reality is that hiring is often the smarter, more flexible choice—especially for contractors, tradies, and DIYers.

At Forge Hire, we’ve seen the difference hiring can make for both small and large projects. Let’s break down the key benefits of hiring vs. buying, so you can make an informed decision.

1. Lower Upfront Cost

Buying a digger means a huge upfront cost—anywhere from $30,000 to $150,000+ depending on the size and brand. That’s a serious chunk of capital that could be better used elsewhere in your business.

Hiring, on the other hand, means:

No massive upfront cost
Pay only for the days or weeks you need it
Free up cash for other tools, labour, or materials

2. No Maintenance or Repair Costs

Owning a machine means ongoing maintenance, servicing, and eventually, repairs. This includes:

Hydraulic servicing
Engine checks
Track replacements
Oil changes and filters

When you hire with Forge Hire, the machine comes fully serviced and ready to go. If something goes wrong? We sort it—no downtime or repair bills for you.

3. Access the Right Machine for Every Job

When you own one digger, you’re stuck using it for every job—whether it’s ideal or not. Hiring lets you match the machine to the task.

Examples:

Need a tight-access digger for a backyard job? Grab a Yanmar ViO17.
Working on a larger site? Use a Doosan DX140LCR or Hitachi ZX85US.
Breaking concrete? Add a hydraulic hammer attachment to your hire.

4. No Storage or Transport Worries

Buying a digger means figuring out where to store it, how to transport it to sites, and keeping it secure.

With Forge Hire:

We deliver the machine to your site
No need for long-term storage
No risk of theft from your property

5. Scale Your Business or DIY Projects with Flexibility

Hiring gives you the freedom to:

Take on bigger or more complex jobs
Handle multiple projects at once with multiple machines
Start and finish projects without long-term ownership pressure

Even for DIYers or rural projects, it’s a smart move—use it when you need it, return it when you don’t.

Conclusion: Hiring is the Smarter Choice

In most cases, hiring a digger is more cost-effective, less stressful, and far more flexible than buying. Whether you're a contractor who needs to scale up quickly, or a DIYer tackling a one-off job, Forge Hire has the right machine for you—ready when you are.