If you’re remodeling your kitchen or clearing out your basement and attic in preparation for a move, you’ll likely generate more trash than your standard weekly pickup can handle. Renting a roll-off dumpster may be the perfect solution for your disposal needs. Here’s what you need to know about renting a dumpster.
Dumpster basics
The type of dumpster appropriate for most home disposal needs is an open-top, roll-off dumpster. These dumpsters, which are sized by the number of cubic yards of waste they can hold, are generally rented for a term of a week or two, with extensions available for a fee. The dumpster company will deliver the roll-off dumpster to you and place it in your driveway or yard. (Street placement may require a governmental permit.) When you’ve filled the dumpster, you schedule a pickup, and the company will reclaim the dumpster and take your waste to a landfill.
When do you need a dumpster?
Renting a dumpster makes sense when you need to dispose of a lot of trash and debris. Home remodeling, major landscape work, or whole-house cleanups are all situations where renting a dumpster may be a good idea.
Dumpsters range in size from a few cubic yards up to 40 or 50. You choose a size based on how much trash you expect to dispose of. A 6-yard dumpster, for example, will hold about three truckloads of debris. A 40-yard dumpster is likely sufficient for a whole-house remodeling project.
What can and can’t go in a dumpster?
You can use a roll-off dumpster to dispose of common trash items, certain furniture, small appliances, most construction debris, trees and shrubs, and the like. You cannot use a dumpster for material that cannot go into a landfill. Adhesives, hazardous waste, household cleaning fluids, non-alkaline batteries, tires and paint are examples of debris you can’t put in a dumpster.
How much will a dumpster cost?
The price for renting a dumpster depends on the region of the country where you live, the type of debris you’ll dispose of, the size of the dumpster, how long you keep it, and its weight once you have filled it. You may also be charged landfill fees. Renting a dumpster generally ranges from around $300 to $500.
When estimating the size of the dumpster you need, it’s a good idea, if possible, to assemble all of your debris in one area to see how much you have before requesting a particular size. This will also allow you to rent the dumpster for a shorter time.
What is the alternative to a dumpster?
Waste disposal services such as 1-800-GOT-JUNK? are an alternative to renting a dumpster to get rid of household debris. These services pick up your items and dispose of them. Potentially more expensive than renting a dumpster, waste disposal services base their fee on volume and set an exact price after seeing your items in person. One advantage to these services is that they do the heavy lifting, saving you from the risk of injury. They also may be a better option if you are getting rid of just a few large items.
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