Inputs
Formula Used
1) Billable Days
If you choose Estimate from area, the calculator estimates days using:
Adjusted Productivity = Base Productivity × Soil Factor × Pass Factor
Estimated Days = ceil(Area / Adjusted Productivity)
Soil factors: granular = 1.00, mixed = 0.85, cohesive = 0.70. Pass factor reduces productivity as passes increase.
2) Base Rental (Best Price option)
The calculator searches combinations of 30-day months, 7-day weeks, and remaining days:
Base = (months×monthly + weeks×weekly + days×daily) × quantity
It picks the lowest cost plan that covers your billable days.
3) Overtime
Overtime = max(0, expected − included) × billable days × overtime rate × quantity
4) Total
Subtotal = Base + Overtime + Delivery + Waiver + Insurance + Fees + Operator − Discount
Grand Total = Subtotal + (Tax% × Subtotal)
How to Use
- Pick your currency and number of rammers.
- Choose manual days, or estimate days from your area.
- Enter daily, weekly, and monthly rates from your supplier.
- Add delivery, waiver, insurance, and any jobsite fees.
- Include expected hours and overtime rate if applicable.
- Add discounts and sales tax if they apply.
- Click Calculate to see a full breakdown and totals.
- Use the CSV/PDF buttons to export your summary.
Example Data Table
| Scenario | Quantity | Days | Rates (D/W/M) | Delivery | Waiver | Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidewalk trench work | 1 | 3 | $65 / $260 / $780 | $60 round-trip | 10% | 0% | Best price usually stays daily. |
| Backfill in tight access | 2 | 9 | $70 / $280 / $820 | $95 one-way | 12% | 8% | Weeks may beat daily totals. |
| Utility restoration phase | 1 | 35 | $60 / $240 / $720 | Self transport | 8% | 5% | Monthly plan often wins past 30 days. |
Rental Cost Article
1) What this rental calculator covers
This calculator estimates the job-ready cost of renting a rammer compactor. It totals base rental, quantity, overtime, delivery/pickup, waiver, insurance, fees, discounts, and tax. It also shows refundable deposit separately for cash-planning, so your estimate matches how suppliers bill.
2) Daily, weekly, and monthly pricing
Rental pricing is usually tiered: daily, weekly (7 days), and monthly (30 days). Weekly prices often sit around 3–5 daily charges, and monthly prices around 3–4 weekly charges. Enter your quoted rates to compare suppliers on the same duration.
3) Best-price duration optimization
When “Best price” is selected, the calculator tests combinations of months, weeks, and remaining days to cover your billable days at the lowest cost. This is useful when you cross thresholds like 7 or 30 days and longer tiers beat stacking daily charges.
4) Estimating billable days from area
If you choose the estimator, days are calculated as: Estimated Days = ceil(Area ÷ Adjusted Productivity). Adjusted Productivity is Base Productivity × Soil Factor × Pass Factor. Soil factors used are granular 1.00, mixed 0.85, cohesive 0.70, and productivity decreases as passes increase. Square meters are converted to square feet before calculation.
5) Productivity inputs you can calibrate
Start with your crew’s observed output (for example 1,500–3,000 sq ft/day for tight-access trench work) and adjust passes to match the spec. More passes reduce coverage and increase days. Because the result uses ceil(), it rounds up to prevent under-booking.
6) Delivery and site logistics
Delivery is modeled as none, one-way, or round-trip. Round-trip adds both drop-off and pickup fees, which can dominate short rentals. Use the misc fee field for gate charges, after-hours access, or extra handling that appears as a flat line item.
7) Overtime, labor, and add-ons
Overtime is calculated per unit: max(0, expected hours − included hours) × billable days × overtime rate. Operator cost is daily labor × operator days (often equal to billable days). Add cleaning, environmental, fuel, and insurance fees to mirror the invoice.
8) Risk controls and reporting
Damage waiver is applied as a percentage of base rental, while tax is applied to the discounted subtotal. Deposits are excluded from the grand total because they are typically refunded after return inspection. Export CSV or PDF for approvals and change orders when terms change. Keep exports with quote number, rental dates, and notes for audit trails.
FAQs
1) Does “Best price” always choose weekly for 7+ days?
No. It tests month, week, and day combinations using your rates and selects the lowest cost plan for the entered billable days.
2) Why can estimated days differ from my crew’s experience?
Productivity varies by lift thickness, moisture, access, rework, and inspection holds. Treat estimates as planning guidance and calibrate the base productivity using your actual job history.
3) What should I enter for passes per layer?
Use the number of full coverage passes required by your spec or field density tests. More passes reduce daily coverage and usually increase billable days.
4) Are delivery and pickup charged per unit?
Often they are per order, not per unit, but suppliers vary. If your vendor charges per machine, add the extra amount into misc fees or increase delivery totals accordingly.
5) Is the deposit included in the grand total?
No. Deposit is shown separately because it is typically refundable. It affects upfront cash requirements but should not be counted as a rental expense if returned in good condition.
6) How do I model partial weeks or prorated billing?
If your supplier prorates, keep “Best price” and adjust rates to match their proration. If they round up to full weeks, choose “Weekly only” for a closer match.
7) Can I export results for approvals?
Yes. After calculating, use the CSV or PDF buttons to export a summary with totals and breakdown, which is useful for purchasing requests and change-order documentation.