A C-27 contractor is budgeting for a new landscape project that involves significant excavation and grading. The contractor plans to rent a mini-excavator and a skid-steer for a total of 80 hours each. The rental company charges $150 per hour for the mini-excavator and $120 per hour for the skid-steer, both including fuel and maintenance. Additionally, the project requires a specialized soil amendment that costs $2.50 per cubic foot, and 200 cubic yards are needed. What is the total estimated cost for equipment rental and the specialized soil amendment for this project?
- A$31,600
- B$45,200
- C$21,600
- D$60,200
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. $31,600
Mini-excavator rental cost = 80 hours * $150/hour = $12,000. Skid-steer rental cost = 80 hours * $120/hour = $9,600. Total equipment rental cost = $12,000 + $9,600 = $21,600. Soil amendment quantity = 200 cubic yards. Convert cubic yards to cubic feet: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. So, 200 cubic yards * 27 cubic feet/cubic yard = 5,400 cubic feet. Soil amendment cost = 5,400 cubic feet * $2.50/cubic foot = $13,500. Total estimated cost = $21,600 (equipment) + $13,500 (soil amendment) = $35,100.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Incorrect calculation.
- C. This only represents the equipment rental cost, not including the soil amendment.
- D. Incorrect calculation.
Combined Cost Calculation
The process of summing various distinct cost components, such as equipment rental and material costs, after performing necessary unit conversions, to arrive at a total sub-project or project cost.
- Requires accurate unit conversions (e.g., cubic yards to cubic feet).
- Each cost component must be calculated individually first.
- Errors in conversion or individual calculations lead to inaccurate totals.
Memory trick: Rentals and soil, convert then combine, to avoid a costly toil.