How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Dumpster? A Helpful Price Guide
Are you wondering how much does it cost to rent a dumpster? If yes, you should check out our guide here on the average prices.
Keyword(s): how much does it cost to rent a dumpster
Illegal dumping of waste is a huge environmental problem all around the world. Studies show that as much as 90 percent of all electronic waste is dumped illegally.
Oil, car tires, metal, and other waste not only contaminate our natural resources but can also pose a health risk to animals and humans alike.
But when you have a home or office remodel or clean-up project underway, and the garbage doesn’t fit in your trash can or dumpster, what can you do?
That’s where a dumpster rental comes in.
So how much does it cost to rent a dumpster for a home or office project? Keep reading to find out.
How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Dumpster?
The cost of a dumpster rental isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Because they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, your total might vary from one project to the next.
Before you can get an exact quote on how much a dumpster will cost for your project, there are a few important questions you’ll need to answer.
Commercial or Residential?
While it may seem like all dumpsters are created equal, a unit that works for catching construction site waste might not be the right one for your garage clean-up at home.
That’s why the first question that you should be ready to answer when inquiring about a dumpster rental is whether you plan to use it for a residential or commercial project.
Your answer might change the size recommended to you. Additionally, not all dumpsters are equipped to hold all types of materials. The waste found at a commercial site may not be okay in a dumpster intended for residential use.
What Size Dumpsters Do You Need?
It is important to mention whether you plan to use a dumpster for a residential project or a commercial one. But even more important than that is figuring out what size you need.
If you’ve never rented a dumpster before, this can be a very tough question to answer. Whether you’re ripping siding off a home, emptying your old garage, or cleaning up after an office remodel, judging the amount of waste you’ll need to throw away is a big challenge.
Luckily, most dumpster rental companies are more than prepared to help you choose the right size unit.
Describe what exactly you’re renting a dumpster for. List any and all types of trash you’ll be tossing. For instance, if you’re doing a home remodel, you’ll want to list:
- How many rooms you’re remodeling
- The types of rooms you’re remodeling
- The extent of your remodel project (i.e. are you ripping out floors and drywall, or just putting in new appliances?)
If you plan to take on multiple projects while you have a dumpster rented, mention all of them. You might be tempted to downplay the amount of garbage you’ll be tossing because it will mean a cheaper rental.
But a cheaper rental won’t be big enough to hold everything you need to toss. You’ll be left with a pile of garbage to get rid of, which will likely mean having to rent another unit.
How Long Will You Need the Dumpster?
Once you’ve figured out how large of a dumpster you need, it’s time to consider how long you’ll need it for.
We all want to hope that a project will go quickly and smoothly. But before you rent a dumpster for a day, ask yourself whether that is realistic.
Project delays can cause your work to stall. Maybe you start ripping into your demo project and find that there’s far more work to be done than you originally thought.
If you only planned to rent your dumpster for a day or two, that delay will be a problem.
It’s always better to overestimate how long you’ll need the unit when you’re doing any kind of renovation project.
If you’re simply cleaning out the attic or garage, or emptying old furniture out of an office, a shorter deadline might be okay. After all, you won’t want that dumpster sitting around for too long after you’ve finished your project.
What are You Tossing Out?
The last thing you should mention when you’re inquiring about how much it costs to rent a pod is the type of garbage you plan to toss.
Most renovation projects and home or office clean-ups have plenty of cardboard, drywall, paper, and wood. But if your clean up or project has more than that, it’s important to ask before you throw it in the bin.
Some materials cannot simply be tossed in a dumpster, even if it’s one for commercial use.
For instance, a few items that you cannot toss in any kind of trash receptacle include:
- Materials that contain asbestos
- Lead acids batteries
- Tires
- Propane tanks
- Mattresses
- Yard clippings
- Refrigerators and beverage containers
- Motor oil
- Liquid waste, like septage or untreated sewage
If you have these or any other unacceptable waste, you’ll need to find the proper disposal method. For instance, tires can be taken to a collection site. You’ll need to pay a small fee to have them properly disposed of.
Getting the Right Dumpster for Your Project
Now that you know the questions you’ll need to be able to answer, it’s time to give us a call to figure out how much does it cost to rent a dumpster for your next project.
Contact us today for your free estimate, and get started on your home or office project right away!