Rent a Dumpster: Learn the Basics

If this is your first time renting a dumpster, Hometown can help with a short overview on how to rent a dumpster. Learning a few of the basics can greatly simplify your dumpster rental experience.

What Can Roll Off Dumpsters Be Used For?

Renting a temporary trash dumpster is great for larger household trash removal projects. Spring cleaning, foreclosures, estate cleanouts, and moving in or moving out of a home are common examples. One can also rent a dumpster for construction debris removal. Remodeling projects, reroofing, and new construction projects often require a temporary waste dumpster on site.

How Do I Rent a Dumpster?

1. First, consider what size dumpster you need to rent for your cleanup job. If you're not sure, just call a hometown trash hauler and describe your project and debris. Most are very helpful. When it comes to dumpster sizes, you may be better off renting a dumpster that is a little too large rather than too small. If you rent a dumpster that is too small, it ends up costing you double to have the first dumpster picked up and a new one delivered.
2. Search or click on your city and call one or more of the preferred dumpster rental services that serve your area. Ask about their pricing, standard rental period, weight included in the price, materials not allowed in the trash container, and other rental policies.
3. Schedule a date for delivery of a temporary trash or construction dumpster to your home, job site, or place of business. It's recommended that you have your dumpster delivered the day before you actually need it.
4. When your finished loading the trash or debris into the roll off dumpster, call the company back and they will pick the dumpster up and haul it away to the landfill, transfer station, or recycling center.

How Much Should I Pay to Rent a Dumpster?

Renting a dumpster is not inexpensive... but dumpster rental is the simplest and most convenient solution for large, bulk trash removal projects and construction debris removal.

The cost to rent a dumpster depends primarily on landfill fees in your area, the size of the container you need, and the dumpster company you select. Most companies quote one flat rate for delivery, pickup, and disposal (though some add delivery charges in separately). The rental rate is usually for a standard period of time (for example... up to 7 days) and includes a certain amount of weight (for example... up to 3 tons).

When comparing dumpster rental prices between two companies:

• Compare apples to apples (or 20 yard dumpsters to other 20 yard dumpsters... dumpster size can have a big impact on price).
• Ask how much time is included in the price and what it will cost if you need the container for a longer period
• Ask how much weight is included in the price and how much "per ton" it will cost if the dumpster is over weight.
• Ask if any additional fees that may be applied for any reason

Extra charges may apply if you need the roll off dumpster for longer than a provider's standard rental period. This is typically a per day fee (ie $5 or $10 per day), but some dumpster services will negotiate with you up front if you need it for slightly longer than their standard period.

Extra charges may also apply if you rent a dumpster that is heavier than the included weight. Each dumpster is weighed before it is dumped and the trash hauler pays the landfill or transfer station based on the weight of the debris. If your debris is heavier than the allotted weight included in your rental agreement, then a "per ton overage" fee will likely apply (ie. $30 - $100 per ton over, depending on the landfill fees in your area).

Pay particular attention to the amount of weight included in your price if you are disposing of heavy construction debris like bricks, cement, roofing shingles, or demolition debris. If you're renting a trash dumpster for cleaning out your home of miscellaneous household debris, you will typically not have to worry about "over weight" fees because the debris is lighter.