Everything You Should Know When You Need to Rent a Dumpster

There are plenty of reasons someone like you might need to rent a dumpster: home renovation, spring cleaning, cleaning up before a relocation, a big DIY project – just to name a few.

 Renting a dumpster certainly isn’t the biggest financial undertaking you’ll make, but unless you’re a general contractor or other industry professional, there’s a good chance it’s also not a task you face too often.

You’ve probably got a lot of questions! This is reasonable because, although it isn’t rocket science, there are nuances you need to know to make the experience as pleasant as possible; so ask away!

But before you call our Dumpster Consultants with all your questions, we’ve put together this consumer guide to make sure you have as much information as possible at your disposal leading up to your rental decision.

Make it Easy to Rent a Dumpster

I Need to Rent a Dumpster But What Size Dumpster Do I Need?

Whether you’re doing a small clean up or a major renovation, there is a bin for your job. But what size do you need?

It helps to know what’s available. In the United States, sizes include 4, 6, 10, 15, and 20 yards. We restrict our dumpsters to these sizes in order to maintain our residential-friendly mantra. We want the bins to have the footprint of a minivan on your driveway and we want to deliver these containers using a smaller truck than the typical tri-axle vehicles that provide dumpster rentals.

For a detailed description of each bin and what might go into a bin see our dumpster sizes page.

To appropriately estimate what size is required when you need to rent a dumpster, check out this article on dumpster sizes and projects that you can consult for your project. 

For instance, if you’re undertaking a spring cleaning project, you’ll discover the 10 or 15 yarder will suffice; of course, if you have multiple kids, you’ll need a 20 yard dumpster! 

For a bathroom remodel, the 10 yard bin is the most popular. Kitchen remodels usually require 15 or 20 yard dumpsters. Whatever project you’re doing, we have the right dumpster for you!

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Dumpster?

The price of a dumpster rental will vary from state-to-state and city-to-city; the price of your rental is mostly dependent on the cost to dump at your local landfill or transfer station.

There are several other factors that need to be considered when renting a dumpster. A combination of these factors ultimately determines how much you will pay for your rental. The cost of dumping at your landfill or transfer station and these following factors will make up your dumpster rental cost

• Size of the dumpster required
• Location you need the dumpster delivered to
• Type of material you need to dispose of
• How long you need the dumpster rental
• Local taxes
• Weight of the junk you are getting rid of

It’s important to note, not all dumpster service companies charge all-in pricing; many companies throughout the United States will price using a dumpster + weight model in where you will pay for the rental and the weight of your container. This pricing model often leaves customers a little confused, so when you’re quoting your dumpster rental, be sure to get a clear understanding of how much the rental will cost you in the end by clearing stating the materials you’ll be placing in the dumpster. Skilled Dumpster Consultants who price the service using dumpster + weight should competently estimate the weight and cost of your rental.

What Can't Go in a Dumpster?

If you were to research your local landfill or transfer station, you’d find that they will restrict you from giving them specific items. Many of these items include:

• Propane tanks
• Ammunition
• Leftover paint, paint cans and paint thinner, stains and varnish
• Household cleaning products
• Batteries
• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Tires, motor oil, gasoline and antifreeze
• Aerosol cans
• Pesticides and fertilizers
• Pharmaceuticals and biomedical waste

If you are trying to dispose of one or several of these items, you should do a quick Google search for areas in your communities that collect them. For instance, typically, there’ll be small kiosks or depots at grocery or big box stores that will collect batteries and light bulbs. Across town, it will be easy to find electronic waste depots for old cell phones and computers.

Dirt and masonry products are allowed only when arranged at the time of your dumpster rental order – if you’re doing a big outdoor or renovation project, be sure to talk to your rental agency first to confirm proper arrangements can be made for those materials.

Making the Most of your Dumpster Rental

Ideally – for everyone involved – it’s best to plan ahead for your dumpster rental. That being said, if you need to rent a dumpster at the last minute, you’ll often be able to do so. We pride ourselves on providing same day delivery of your dumpster; at worst, you’ll receive the bin in 24 hours.

Do you know how long your project will take? Most dumpster rental companies will allow you to keep the bin for around 5 to 7 days, giving you plenty of time to fill it. But in our experience, most homeowners only need a dumpster for about three and a half days. When you call to book your rental dumpster delivery, discuss your needs and expected timeline with your local Dumpster Delivery Experts.

Of course, before our Delivery Experts leave your property with the bin they've come to pick up, they'll make sure to give your driveway a thorough sweep to make sure they collect any lingering debris that didn't make its way into the dumpster

What Happens to My Stuff that’s Placed in the Dumpster?

Once your dumpster rental is picked up, it is immediately taken to a landfill or a transfer station, where items can be sorted for recycling and disposal.

Red Flags: What to Avoid

If any business you’re considering displays any of these qualities, it’s a bad sign

• Poor Communication; they don’t pick up the phone or are operating vehicles when they door answer the phone
• Not enough Questions asked
• Shady Pricing with hidden fees
• Dirty Equipment

We hope this guide helped you understand a little better how the roll off dumpster rental process works, and what to expect throughout the process.

More questions about renting a dumpster? We got more answers! Discover answers to your questions at our FAQ page.

Ready to rent a dumpster but still need convincing Bin There Dump That is the right choice? We have 25 reasons why you should rent a dumpster from Bin There Dump That. Ready to rock and roll with Bin There Dump That now? Visit our find a dumpster rental near you.