So you are in the process of a home improvement or construction project, and you finally ordered a roll off dumpster to handle the debris removal. Before you start throwing away the debris, it’s a good idea to know all of the terms and conditions of the roll off dumpster rental. Here are a few tips on how to avoid extra roll off dumpster fees.
Ask Questions to Avoid Extra Dumpster Fees
As you are talking to a customer service representative about the dumpster rental, be sure to ask any questions you may have about pricing or the terms and conditions. Don’t hesitate to ask questions because it could help you from being discouraged in the long run.
Make Sure Your Location is Free From Obstruction
There are a few terms you must know for delivery and pick up. The location of where you want the dumpster placed must be clear of low hanging wires, tree branches, cars and other obstacles that could prevent the dumpster from being delivered properly. The same goes for pick ups. Once the dumpster is filled and ready to be picked up, the location must also be free from any obstructions so the driver can properly haul the dumpster away. In some cases, a location is only accessible by alley. Be aware that if the truck cannot safely access your location, you may be charged a fee for failed delivery.
Consider the Weight of the Debris
Probably the most common fee a customer gets charged with is an overage fee. You will receive an overage fee when the weight of your dumpster exceeds the stated limit. A common misconception is the difference between the volume of the container and the weight of the container. You may be able to fit all of the debris in the dumpster, however, those materials may still lead to a weight overage. It’s important when you are filling the dumpster to consider the weight of your debris, rather than the volume of the debris.
Do Not Throw Prohibited Items in the Dumpster
There is a variety of debris that is allowed to be disposed of in dumpsters, however, most hazardous waste cannot be accepted in dumpsters. Common items include tires, car batteries, and wet paints. When you’re on the phone with a customer service representative they will go over the list of items that are not allowed in the dumpster. There might be a chance that a questionable item you have isn’t on the list of prohibited items, so, if you’re unsure if you can throw away certain items, its a good idea to ask. This can save you money in the long run, as contaminated or hazardous debris will require additional fees for proper disposal.
Overflowing Materials Could Lead to Extra Dumpster Fees
Once you are finished with your roll off dumpster, it’s time to haul it away. Before the hauler is at your location for pickup, check to make sure your debris doesn’t exceed the fill line that’s in every dumpster. If your debris goes past this line, the hauler won’t be able to pick up the dumpster. Avoid the hassle and fees by making sure the debris does not exceed that line.
Call for Pickup to Avoid Extra Dumpster Fees
A common mistake people make is not calling when they are finished with the roll off dumpster. Most cities have a 10-day rental period. After the 10 days is up, there is a fee of $10 a day to keep the dumpster on site. You can rent the dumpster for as long as you need, just remember that extension fee applies for each day past the rental period. So, it’s important that whenever you are finished with the dumpster to call for pickup.
I agree that you should do your research before you try to pick up a dumpster. Nobody wants to have more dumpster than they need. Maybe I should get one of these for a project that I have going on right now.
Extra fees are the worst. It’s a good idea to ask a lot of questions before renting a dumpster, because then you will have less worry about if their are hidden fees. It’s best to ask up front, then you are prepared.
I hadn’t considered where we will place the dumpster when we rent one. I will have to make sure the side of our house doesn’t have any obstructions so that we don’t have a failed delivery. Not only would that be an extra cost, but it would waste a lot of time!
What about permits or licenses? Are any of these needed? We plan on renting a 10 yard dumpster for our home reno. There is enough space in our front yard, and it would not be placed on public property.
Hi Nevada, thanks for commenting. In most cities, you only need a permit or license if you are having the dumpster placed on public property. We’d recommend checking with your city’s permit office or the company you are renting the dumpster from to be sure.