Wet hire operators supply equipment with a licensed operator included. Wet hire rates are significantly higher than dry hire. Here's how BuildHire compares for real estate & property contractors in Sydney.
| Feature | Wet Hire Operators | BuildHire ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Machine + operator day rate ($600–$1,200/day) | Machine only from $200/day |
| Flexibility | Operator controls pace and method | You control the machine, your way |
| Suitability | Unlicensed customers | Licensed contractors |
BuildHire offers dry hire only — meaning you pay for the machine, not an operator's day rate on top. Dry hire with BuildHire is typically 40–60% cheaper than wet hire for the same machine.
Real estate developers and property professionals across NSW use BuildHire's equipment for land preparation, subdivision earthworks, and property development site works.
$205/day
Our most popular mini excavator. Ideal for plumbing trenches, landscaping, and general earthmoving with true zero tail swing.
$325/day
Mid-size excavator delivering serious power for larger residential projects, pool excavations, and commercial site prep.
$345/day
Heavy-duty 5.5-tonne excavator built for serious earthmoving, deep trenching, and civil construction projects.
Yes — significantly. Wet hire rates for an excavator with operator typically range from $600–$1,200/day. BuildHire's dry hire rates start from $200/day for the same machine.
For excavators under 3 tonnes, no licence is required in NSW. For machines 3 tonnes and above, a High Risk Work Licence (HRWL) for earthmoving plant is required.
Residential land preparation typically requires a 1.7T-3.5T excavator for site levelling and service trenching, combined with a tipper truck for spoil removal.
Yes. BuildHire delivers to Sydney and the wider Sydney Metro region. Book before 12pm for next-day delivery to Sydney real estate & property sites.