Diggermate Mini Excavator Hire Cairns
Glen's ability to scope complex digs accurately — where other operators quoted blind — is the detail customers keep coming back to.
The rating trajectory across this small sample is uneven, with earlier reviews averaging 5★ and more recent ones dipping, which is worth noting given there are only 18 total reviews to draw on — too few to call it a firm trend, but enough to suggest confirming job terms in writing before you start. Ask specifically about any additional workers, tip-run frequency, and bond inspection procedures at return — these are the details where expectations and delivery are most likely to diverge.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (18 total)
“drop off was flexible and overall the experience was great”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
How they stack up
Context from 284 demolitions in Cairns
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About Diggermate Mini Excavator Hire Cairns
Glen runs the Cairns operation of Diggermate, handling wet hire (operator-included) and dry hire across mini excavators, bobcats, and tipper trucks — making this one of the few hire businesses in the region that bundles delivery, pickup, and machine support under one contact. Reviewers specifically praise Glen for scoping jobs accurately before quoting, with one customer noting he 'understood the job the best' when other companies missed the mark on a complex dig. A second contact, Devan, operates out of the Smithfield office and draws separate praise for availability and communication when Glen isn't the point of contact. The fleet appears well-maintained — multiple dry hire customers mention machines that were clean, in good condition, and ready at the agreed pickup time — and the online booking system is flagged as genuinely frictionless for self-service hires. With roughly 26 years in operation, this isn't a startup, but the review sample is small enough that it's worth confirming scope, billing structure, and any extras (additional workers, tip runs, bond conditions) in writing before booking. Best suited for residential preparation work — paving, earthmoving, land clearing — where you want either a hands-off wet hire with an operator or a straightforward machine rental with delivery.
Best for: residential earthmoving and paving preparation where you want an operator who can scope the job accurately, last-minute dry hire of mini excavators or bobcats, and homeowners who need machine delivery and pickup handled without a separate logistics arrangement.
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about Diggermate Mini Excavator Hire Cairns
Does Diggermate Cairns offer both operated and self-drive hire?+
Yes — the business offers both wet hire (Glen or a crew member operates the machine) and dry hire (you pick up or take delivery of the machine and operate it yourself). Multiple reviewers mention using both formats across different jobs. If you're new to the equipment, Glen has answered 'how to' questions remotely for dry hire customers, though hands-on induction isn't confirmed in reviews, so ask about this when booking.
What areas around Cairns does Diggermate cover for delivery?+
Delivery is confirmed in reviews to customer addresses in the broader Cairns area, and there is a separate Smithfield office location mentioned by one reviewer. The main base is listed as Manoora. For jobs outside central Cairns, it's worth calling to confirm whether delivery fees apply or if coverage extends to your suburb.
How does the bond and return inspection process work?+
A refundable bond applies on some hire types — one reviewer mentions a $100 bond on a mini loader rental. Reviews don't give a consistent picture of the inspection process at return, so it's worth asking Glen upfront what the cleanliness standard is, whether a joint inspection happens at collection, and how quickly the bond is returned after the hire ends. Getting this agreed in writing before pickup will save any back-and-forth.
What do customers say about Diggermate's pricing?+
Reviewers generally describe pricing as fair and competitive — one customer chose Diggermate over several other quotes specifically because the price was good and Glen understood the job scope better. Wet hire is quoted at an hourly rate. Reviews don't detail current pricing for all machine types, so request a written quote that itemises any additional charges (extra workers, tip runs, delivery) before committing.
Is same-day or last-minute hire available?+
One reviewer specifically calls out 'great availability even last minute or emergency jobs,' suggesting Glen can accommodate short-notice bookings when machines are available. The online booking system is also praised as quick and easy for standard reservations. For urgent jobs, calling directly rather than booking online is likely the faster route to confirming same-day availability.