How to use this calculator
- Enter the daily rental rate from your supplier's quote.
- Enter billed rental days, which may differ from the number of days you operate the equipment.
- Add the dollar total of fees and taxes you want included. This field is an amount, not a tax percentage.
- Check delivery, pickup, fuel, included operating hours, and return timing against the rental agreement.
Formula and cost basis
Rental estimate = daily rate × billed days + fees and taxes entered as a dollar total
Worked example
A $250 daily rate for 3 billed days costs $750. Adding $50 in quoted fees and taxes produces an $800 estimate. If delivery and pickup add another $150, enter $200 in fees/taxes and the result becomes $950.
Assumptions and common mistakes
- The calculator does not choose weekly or monthly discounts. Compare the supplier's quoted package total with the daily estimate for your actual rental period.
- Fractional days work mathematically, but do not assume the rental company prorates. Use its billed-day rules, minimum period, and return cutoff.
- Operator labor, fuel, attachments, cleaning, damage waiver, and excess operating hours are included only if you add their costs. Keep operator labor separate if already counted in your labor estimate.
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FAQ
Are fees and taxes entered as a percentage?
No. Enter their combined dollar amount. For example, a quoted $50 charge is entered as 50. The calculator does not determine local tax rates or which charges are taxable.
Does it automatically apply a weekly rate?
No. It multiplies the daily rate by billed days. Compare that total with a separate weekly or monthly supplier quote, including the same fees and allowances.
Does rental cost include an operator and fuel?
Only if those costs are included in your rate or fee input. Otherwise estimate operator labor and fuel separately and include them once in the job estimate.