Dumpster rentals are becoming increasingly sought-after in residential and commercial circles because of their convenience, affordability, and versatility. These waste containers come in several different sizes and can serve DIY projects, construction site jobs, decluttering sprees, and more. While renting a bin is undeniably more cost-effective than contracting junk removal services, a lack of knowledge and preparation in dealing with dumpster rental companies and their products can lead to costly overcharges. Still, there is no need to worry. These situations are exceptionally straightforward to avoid, as long as you keep five crucial things in mind. Here are our best tips for reducing costs when renting a dumpster!
Select The Adequate Dumpster Size
One of the most common mistakes business managers, construction site supervisors, or residential homeowners make when renting a dumpster is not carefully and meticulously considering the size of the dumpster rental they need. Getting a dumpster more massive than what is necessary knocks you off a significant amount, as you will be paying for dumpster space you will not use. Similarly, a dumpster that cannot handle the waste you need to toss out will either result in overweight or overcapacity charges or force you to rent another dumpster, doubling the expense.
When choosing the dumpster size you wish to rent, consider the space available, the volume of trash you plan to dispose of, the type of waste you are dealing with, and the ongoing or future project you have in mind. A 10-yard dumpster is at least 8 x 11 x 4 feet, so you need a vacant portion of your driveway to fit at least those dimensions (with some allowance). Ten-yarders are often used for residential purposes, so tasks like routine spring cleaning, garage decluttering, or single-layer roofing are the perfect match. You can also opt for the 20- or 30-yard containers. The 30-yard dumpster is what you need if planning a whole house remodel or renovation, and it also works the best for construction jobs.
Schedule Your Rental Precisely
Knowing when you will actively use your dumpster rental is essential to keeping fees at a reasonable minimum. You might exceed weight and volume limits if you book to retain your rented waste container longer than you need it. For a three-day yard cleanout, it would be best to keep your dumpster rental period to a maximum of five days. If you schedule the drop-off too early, you could end up tossing random waste into the bin, and neighbors might also start utilizing your rental as a community dumpster. While there is no policy against sharing, it will be detrimental if you later find out that the container’s contents have exceeded the ceiling allowable by the dumpster rental company.
In the same vein, it also helps you to break down rental times if you need the dumpster for an extended period. Most service providers offer around eight to ten days of free rental (no additional charges on top of the base rate). At Cobblestone Container Service, we offer ten to 14 days. If you believe you need the dumpster for more than that, it might be wiser to compartmentalize phases in your project to prevent fees from ballooning due to overstayed rentals.
Pay Attention To Trash And Content Restrictions
Dumpster rental companies must strictly adhere to safety guidelines and local and state-wide regulations in every aspect of the business and operation. Since dealing with people’s waste can pose significant health and safety risks, professional service providers will never agree to remove a rental containing prohibited items – such as liquid and chemical waste, radioactive materials, solvents, medical waste, etc. Tossing any restricted junk into your bin will unquestionably result in extra expenses. You could either be fined for violating waste management regulations at your locality or the dumpster rental service could charge you a “dry run” or trip fee.
A “dry run” fee is the extra cost of having haulers show up at your residence or site and then be told or find out that they cannot drop off or pick up the dumpster rental yet. That will be the case if your dumpster contains hazardous waste that they are not allowed nor equipped to transport or if the contents of your container go beyond what is considered safe or acceptable according to operational standards.
Call The Rental Company Once You Finish
As mentioned above, most dumpster rental companies will give you up to ten days of no-additional-cost rental. However, for every day past that mark, extra fees will accumulate. If you are finished with your dumpster, it would be best to ensure that you contact your service provider to let them know that the bin is ready for removal. Moreover, most companies cannot do same-day pick-ups because of tight delivery schedules. If you are cutting it close to the ten-day mark but are sure you will finish on time, let your rental company know so they can set aside time for your dumpster’s pick-up to avoid any extra fees.
Work With Trusted Dumpster Rental Providers
Although the four tips above are crucial in preventing overcharges, this last reminder is make-or-break. No matter how thorough you are with your preparation, opportunistic service providers can still find ways to cheat you into paying more for their mediocre service. The only way to avoid falling prey to those schemes is by transacting only with professional dumpster rental providers. The most reputable and established rentals will never need to deceive you with hidden fees or exploit your patronage by charging you more than the value you are paying for. Instead, they will handle your business respectfully and firmly adhere to core values and service-oriented mindsets.
Cobblestone Container Service espouses these beliefs, and our core values are the values of family. We carry loyalty, honesty, and empathy in everything we do, enabling us to serve our clients with utmost professionalism and reliability. Whatever your dumpster rental needs, we are always here to help! Drop us a line for your inquiries, and we will get back to you immediately.