Common Mistakes People Make While Renting A Dumpster

Construction projects, renovations and remodels, cleanups, and other big jobs generate a lot of waste that routine trash pickup can’t or won’t handle. Nothing beats the convenience of renting a roll-off dumpster in those instances. A company delivers the dumpster to your site when you need it, you choose how long you need it for and fill it according to that schedule, and then the company returns, picks up the dumpster, and takes care of the waste disposal.

As simple and convenient as a dumpster rental may be, there are mistakes you can make during the process, and some of them can be expensive. Knowing what they are and how to avoid them can save you a lot of time, trouble, and money.

1. Getting a Dumpster That’s Too Big

Since rental costs vary by size and time, the drawback to getting a dumpster that’s larger than the job requires is that you’ll end up paying for space you don’t need.

Knowing what size is suitable for the job can be a little tricky. Renovating a bathroom, cleaning out a garage, or replacing roof shingles, for example, usually calls for a smaller size, whereas renovating multiple rooms, building a home, or cleaning up a neighborhood after a severe storm probably requires something larger.

The best thing to do is to discuss your project with the company you’re renting a dumpster from prior to making the final decision. They’ll know from experience what size to recommend, so you don’t end up paying more than you need to.

If you do end up with a dumpster that’s larger than you need it, take advantage of that extra space you paid for and fill it with as much other trash and debris as you can (as long as it’s allowable materials– more on that to follow).

2. Getting a Dumpster That’s Too Small

When you get a dumpster that’s too large, you pay more than you need to, but at least there’s space for everything. Renting a dumpster that isn’t large enough is a bigger problem.

If you don’t have room for everything, you’re stuck with options that aren’t very appealing. One is transporting the extra stuff yourself to a landfill, which is going to cost you time and money, possibly with multiple trips, and that’s only if you have a vehicle like a pickup truck that’s suitable for the task.

The other option, and the one you’ll more likely choose, is extending your rental period or if that isn’t possible because that dumpster is already reserved for another site, having to get another dumpster rental. Both are going to cost you more money.

So again, it’s essential to know the right dumpster size in advance so that you take care of everything at once.

3. Loading a Dumpster Past Its Capacity

This is a risk if you rent a dumpster that’s too small.

You can only fill a dumpster to a certain point, which the rental company should make you aware of (and the dumpster might have a line on it to serve as a reminder). Transporting a dumpster with items protruding beyond the fill lines is illegal. Also, every dumpster has not just a capacity limit but a weight limit as well, and you can’t go over that, either.

If you exceed either or both of these, you’ll be assessed an extra charge, or the company may not even take the dumpster until you’ve taken care of the problem. The extra time that’s going to take you will mean additional rental fees, and then you’re still stuck with the issue of the leftover debris and disposing of it yourself or paying for another rental.

4. Disposing of Items That Aren’t Allowed

You can’t just put anything into a dumpster, as this is the law, not the whims of the rental company.

What you can’t put into a dumpster will vary by location, but it mostly comes down to liquid waste, flammable materials, and electronics. When arranging for a dumpster rental, be sure to ask about what can’t go into the dumpster, but here are some pretty standard examples:

• Aerosols
• Batteries
• Cleaning chemicals
• Gasoline and propane
• Paint
• Tires

5. Not Having the Right Space for the Dumpster

You most likely will not be legally permitted to keep your rental dumpster on a public street. If that option does exist, you’ll probably have to seek a permit which can cost time and money. You’ll have to check into it and see to it in advance. If the rental company shows up and you don’t have the permit, they won’t be able to deliver the dumpster.

The most logical place for the dumpster to be delivered is in a driveway, and that’s what most people do. However, the dumpster won’t work on a sloped driveway. A second option is your yard, but the location will have to be accessible for the delivery truck from the street or driveway. In addition, you’ll need to protect your lawn from damage by having a surface such as wood for the dumpster.

Also, you need to ensure that the delivery truck will be able to get in and out and that there aren’t obstacles such as cars, branches, or other objects in the way if you’re using your driveway.

When discussing your dumpster needs with the rental company, be sure to discuss the right size and whether your location will work.

6. Not Giving Yourself Enough Time

Plan out your project well ahead of time so you can estimate how much waste there will be and how long you’ll need to load it into a dumpster. Building some extra time to cover unexpected delays is a good idea. It’s better to finish early than find yourself unable to finish by the pickup date, meaning an extended or additional rental.

Orlando Dumpster Rentals from RGH Waste & Disposal

In the Orlando area, the answer to “Where can I find a dumpster rental near me?” is RGH Waste & Disposal.

We offer same-day dropoff and pickup, 24/7 availability, and competitive prices with no hidden fees. To accommodate any job, no matter the size, we offer 20-yard and 30-yard dumpster sizes (capacity in cubic yards) with convenient, safe delivery and pickup.

Keep your site tidy and safe, and leave the disposal worries to us. Contact us for a dumpster rental quote today!