Considering A Dumpster Rental? Consider These 4 Questions First

That collection of tree branches, raked leaves, useless household items, or other bulky debris has got to go — and the easiest way to get rid of them may be to toss them into a dumpster and let your city's sanitation department do the rest. But before you start calling your local dumpster container rental services, it pays to have a sensible plan for ordering and using that container. Consider the following four questions as a guide toward smart dumpster rental practices.

1. What Size of Dumpster Do I Need?

Getting rid of a few bags of lawn cuttings will obviously require less dumpster volume than clearing away an entire home's worth of debris following a natural disaster. Even so, it can be tricky to estimate just how large a dumpster you should rent — or, in some cases, purchase. The tiniest collapsible dumpsters can hold about 3,300 pounds of trash and cost about $30 to buy, with additional fees to have the unit carted away. Among rental options, the standard dumpster sizes include 10-yard, 20-yard, and 30-yard sizes. 10-yard dumpsters are generally fine for light debris removal, with 20-yard dumpsters recommended for larger projects and 30-yard dumpsters reserved for large-scale debris-clearing jobs.

2. What's It Going to Cost?

The cost of dumpster container rental will depend on the size of the dumpster you rent and the length of time that you need it. The base cost for a week's rental of 10-yard dumpster typically starts in the $300 range, while a 30-yard dumpster may cost $500 or more. In addition to the base weekly cost, your dumpster rental company will most likely charge $5 to $10 for each additional day of usage. The more efficiently you can schedule your debris clearance project, the less time your dumpster will sit around unused and the sooner you'll be able to end your rental period.

3. What Can I Legally Put in a Dumpster?

You can dispose of many kinds of debris and junk in your rented dumpster, including yard waste, wood scraps, paper products, garbage, drywall, shingles, flooring, vinyl siding and other raw materials used in construction. But you must also observe which kinds of items usually aren't allowed in dumpsters. Combustible chemicals, tires, batteries, automotive fluids, pesticides, asbestos, and still-wet paint will need to go straight to a recycling or processing facility that accepts such items. Some items fall into a legal gray area depending on your city's laws. Some areas, for instance, will allow electronics or oversized furniture to go into a dumpster, while others will not. Make the proper inquiries before you simply toss everything into your rented dumpster.

4. Can't I Just Use Someone Else's Dumpster?

You may find yourself wondering why you should even bother renting a dumpster when your neighbor or a nearby business has a nice, largely unused dumpster on hand. Unfortunately, your city's laws most likely prohibit illegal dumping, which includes the disposal of waste on others' private property without their permission. Penalties for illegal dumping may range from probation and cleanup costs to fines or even incarceration, depending on the scale of the offense and the damage done. The flip side of this equation, of course, is that others aren't allowed to throw their trash in your rented dumpster unless you've given them express permission to do so. Watch out for this illegal activity and restrict dumpster access as best you can, or else your dumpster may become so stuffed with other people's garbage that you can't use it for your own purposes.

Keep these considerations in mind when you're arranging for dumpster rental services, and you'll find it easier to get the maximum benefits for your money and effort. Remember, every aspect of a cleanup project deserves proper planning, including disposal!

For more information, contact a dumpster rental company.