Not just calculators — a hire brief.
Each tool turns site measurements into the numbers a supplier or contractor will actually ask for: access envelope, dig volume, loose spoil, haul distance, concrete volume, fall and compaction.
Free UK digger hire planning tools
Plan a digger hire job before the machine arrives.
Use real measurements — gate width, dig depth, spoil volume, drainage fall, haul distance and ground conditions — to choose a sensible mini digger, dumper, breaker or compaction plan before you speak to a hire supplier.
105 specialist toolsLive postcode/weather/flood lookupsUK units, public data sources and practical assumptions
Built around UK groundworks jobs.
Use it for garden access, trenches, driveways, strip foundations, drainage runs, post holes, slab breakout, soakaways, pumps, dumpers and compactors.
Clear assumptions, no fake quotes.
The site explains bulking factors, density assumptions and safety limitations so users can plan better without pretending a calculator replaces a site assessment.
Live postcode site-risk packRain, flood-area, soil-moisture and access prompts from public APIs.Mini digger hire durationTurn dig volume, bucket cycles, setup and spoil handling into a realistic hire window.Spoil bulking and payloadsConvert in-situ excavation into loose volume, tonnes and stockpile space.Bucket-width overdigQuantify the hidden muck-away from using the wrong bucket width.
Start with the core job-planning tools.
The homepage keeps 13 broad owner tools one click away; the full hub groups every specialist utility by job intent.
01Trench Spoil Volume Calculator
Work out trench dig volume, loose spoil and likely dumper loads before hiring a digger.
Live calculator02Drainage Fall & Invert Level Planner
Estimate pipe fall, end invert level and trench-depth change across a drainage run.
Live calculator03Strip Foundation Dig Out Calculator
Estimate trench volume, loose spoil and concrete volume for strip footings.
Live calculator04Driveway Excavation & Sub-Base Calculator
Estimate dig-out volume, Type 1 sub-base tonnage and compaction kit for driveway preparation.
Live calculator05Micro Digger Access Envelope Checker
Check gate width, path width, turning space, slope and unloading access before booking a machine.
Live calculator06Digger & Dumper Pairing Calculator
Match spoil volume, haul distance and access width to a practical dumper choice.
Live calculator07Concrete Slab Breakout Calculator
Estimate slab volume, waste weight and whether the job suits a hydraulic breaker or hand breaker.
Live calculator08Post Hole & Fence Line Calculator
Calculate post count, hole volume, concrete volume and whether an auger or manual digger makes sense.
Live calculator09Wacker Plate vs Trench Rammer vs Roller
Choose compaction kit from trench width, surface area, material and finish type.
Live calculatorBuilt around real site checks.
No vague hire advice: every calculator starts from the measurements that usually decide the job — access width, dig depth, material volume, haul distance, fall, compaction and waste handling.
✓UK unitsMetres, millimetres, tonnes and cubic metres.
✓Visible assumptionsBulking factors, material density and warning notes are explained.
✓Safety promptsService checks, trench support and access risks are called out before hire.
✓Useful next stepsRelated equipment links appear where they match the result.
Measure first. Hire with a clearer brief.
Simple measurements turn a vague hire enquiry into a practical equipment checklist: machine size, access risks, spoil movement, compaction and extra tools.
1Pick the jobTrench, footing, driveway, drainage, slab, fencing or garden work.
2Add measurementsLengths, widths, depths, access limits, haul distance and material type.
3Read the resultVolumes, falls, loads, tonnage and practical risk prompts.
4Compare equipmentDigger, dumper, breaker, pump, compactor or landscaping tools.