What Are Dumpster Rental Prices? Breaking Down the Cost to Rent a Dumpster
Got debris? Dumpsters come in all sizes to help you remove debris created by moving, landscaping, construction, or cleaning. Dumpster rental prices typically cost between $292 and $480, with an average of $380.
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- Typical Range: $292 to $480
- National Average: $380
As handy as your garbage can is for handling a week’s worth of trash, there are times you simply need a larger dumpster to handle the volume of debris. Dumpster rentals aren’t only for commercial construction projects, although that’s a common use. Any time you have an excessive amount of yard waste, trash, or remodeling debris that needs to be removed, renting a dumpster is a good idea. HomeAdvisor averages the cost to rent a dumpster at $380, but it could range between $292 and $480. Since dumpsters are large and unwieldy containers that require special equipment to move them, dumpster rental prices include delivery and removal fees. Still, you’ll need to ask if that price includes the dumping fee, which usually averages $40 to $65 per ton. The size of the dumpster and the length of time you need it on-site will also influence your total cost. Keep reading to learn more about dumpster rental prices.
Factors in Calculating Dumpster Rental Prices
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The cost to rent a dumpster is calculated by a few essential factors: dumpster size, rental time, dump fees, availability, and location. You’ll want to collect a few quotes from local companies to determine the best rate for your region, but these guidelines will provide an initial estimate you can work from.
Dumpster Size
Dumpsters are measured by the cubic yard (shortened to just “yard”) rather than by length and width. Some companies rent garbage dumpsters as small as 2 yards and up to as big as 40 yards. Knowing the size and volume of debris you need to dispose of will help you calculate the best dumpster size for your project. A 10-yard dumpster is typically the size the average residential cleanup will require, and the price averages $220 to $580 to rent for a week. This size measures 11 feet by 8 feet by 4 feet and holds 2 to 3 tons of debris, which is approximately three pickup loads.
Length of Rental
Dumpster rental prices are often set for weekly or monthly rates to accommodate projects that take extra time to complete. However, if you’re in an area with high demand, it’s possible you could rent a dumpster at a daily rate of $25 to $80. Just make sure you return it on time to avoid potentially exorbitant late fees. An average weekly rate is $200 to $800, with each additional day after the first week costing $5 to $10.
Location and Availability
Dumpster rental prices vary by location, as is typical for most goods and services. The higher costs of living in urban areas tend to increase prices over what you’d pay in suburban and rural areas. In regions with a lot of construction, it’s also possible to see higher prices due to demand. Renting a dumpster by the day is more likely to be an option in high-demand areas, but late fees may also be higher as a result.
Dump Fees
Renting a dumpster is only part of the process of debris removal. Once you’ve loaded the container, the dumpster company needs to dispose of your debris. Waste disposal centers charge a fee for accepting trash, especially hazardous materials, so those fees are passed on to the person who rented and filled the dumpster. On average, expect to pay $40 to $65 per ton, but this fee is sometimes included in the rental price, so be sure to ask and get it in writing.
Type of Dumpster
Commercial dumpsters are usually used on a long-term basis by businesses. Construction dumpsters have a bigger capacity to hold construction debris, and they’re usually roll-off dumpsters that literally get rolled off a flatbed truck. They often have a second door for access in addition to the open top. A 20-yard roll-off dumpster averages $275 to $700 per week. Residential dumpsters are smaller to accommodate the limited space and debris at a house. A 2-yard dumpster costs around $75 to $125 for a week.
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Additional Costs and Considerations
As with most rentals, there are always a few additional fees and costs that may or may not apply to your situation. Depending on your project, dumpster rental prices might include permit fees, late or overage fees, and hazardous waste fees. Some of these fees can’t be avoided due to state regulations for handling hazardous materials, but you can avoid late fees in most cases.
Permits
Since dumpsters take up a lot of space, they may block the sidewalk or street, which becomes a concern for the city. You’ll need to ask the dumpster rental company or your local municipality if you need a permit to park a dumpster on your property. These permits range between $10 and $100. The company can sometimes acquire these permits for you, but it takes an average of 3 days.
Late Fees and Overage Fees
If you keep your garbage dumpster longer than you planned, you’ll likely get billed for the extra days. A typical late fee runs between $5 and $10 per day, but be sure to ask, as this price can vary due to demand and location.
It’s also important to note that it’s illegal to transport a container of debris that’s overflowing above the rim of the dumpster. Doing so puts other drivers at risk. If you overload the dumpster, you’ll likely pay $40 to $100 per ton that’s over the limit. The company will probably have to unload some of it into a second dumpster for disposal.
Other Fees
Make sure to ask what the dump fees are for your area since they could vary as widely as $20 to $70 per ton. Additionally, if the demand is high in your area, your dumpster rental price could be higher if you rent a larger unit than expected. You’ll also want to be cautious to protect the dumpster from neighbors who might want to take advantage of the large-capacity dumpster with sneaky dump attacks in the dark of the night.
Hazardous Waste
Waste treatment centers have regulations for handling hazardous materials, so be sure to notify the rental company of what you plan to put in the dumpster and what actually ended up inside. There are extra fees associated with disposing of hazardous materials, and some items are entirely prohibited in many cases, such as Freon, asbestos, computers, etc.
Dumpster Rental Prices: Types of Dumpsters
You’ll need to choose the right kind of dumpster to accommodate the space you have, the length of time you need it, and the amount of debris it can hold. Fortunately, there are several types of dumpsters you can choose from—and plenty of sizes, too.
Roll-Off
Roll-off dumpsters are the most common style of dumpsters. You’ll find wheels on commercial and construction dumpsters but not usually on residential dumpsters. Roll-off dumpsters are large-capacity dumpsters transported to the site on a flatbed truck and rolled off the truck onto the heavy-duty wheels. A roll-off dumpster rental averages $300 to $550.
Construction Dumpster
A construction dumpster rental is key for major projects with large, heavy debris. In addition to the open top, this style often has a side or end door for users to walk in and dump debris. The walls are usually shorter than other styles, but the length often makes up for it.
Residential Dumpster
These are small-capacity dumpsters that work well for smaller jobs like cleaning out an apartment or doing a small remodel that doesn’t have long pieces of debris. A residential dumpster rental costs around $100 to $300 per week.
Dumpster Bag
An interesting alternative is to purchase a dumpster bag from a local hardware store. These come collapsed, so you simply set it up in your driveway and fill it with any debris such as plywood, tile, or bags of trash. Some are large enough to hold 3,300 pounds of debris. When it’s full, call the Waste Management number to have them pick it up for disposal.
Junk Removal
If you prefer not to even hassle with a container of any kind, you can hire a junk removal service. These services will come and pick up just about anything, anywhere—though usually not major construction debris. It’s beneficial when you have old furniture or hoarded items that need disposing of. You pile the items together in one area, and they’ll remove it for an average cost of $150 to $400.
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Do I Need a Dumpster Rental?
Dumpsters seem to be synonymous with major construction projects, but there are plenty of other reasons why you may want to rent a dumpster. Doing a major landscaping project is one of the top reasons for renting a dumpster, as is a roof replacement, moving, and any serious cleaning projects for a house or neighborhood.
Landscaping
When you start tackling your patch of weeds, overgrown bushes, or trees, you’ll quickly find they can produce a bigger volume of debris than your yard waste trash can handle. Sure, you could stack the debris in the yard and slowly dump some each week, but it quickly becomes an eyesore and an insect and rodent haven. Renting a dumpster helps you remove all the debris at one time for a tidier and less stressful experience. It’s especially critical to get a dumpster if a significant storm causes a lot of debris that needs attention. You and your neighbors could pitch in together to rent a large dumpster and help everyone clean up the neighborhood.
Construction and Renovation
Construction and renovation projects are the most common reasons people consider renting a dumpster. These projects have a way of producing tons of waste, so having a large dumpster on hand is especially helpful. If you’re using a general contractor, they may include the rental in their price; otherwise, you’ll want to get one lined up for your project.
Roof Replacement
Roofing shingles are heavy. Those heavy shingles get shoved off into a dumpster below the house when a roof is being replaced. It’s the most efficient way to collect debris that is also incredibly messy as the shingles crumble during removal. This is just as true for tile, metal, or shake roofs. Every 100 square feet of roofing that’s removed creates 250 to 360 pounds of debris that gets recycled or disposed of.
Moving
While moving is a huge inconvenience, there is one huge benefit: You finally face all the items that need to be discarded or recycled. The longer you’ve lived in one place, the more items you’ve accumulated, so many homeowners use a dumpster to help remove the large number of items they no longer need.
Major Cleaning
Homeowners may get the urge to do a massive cleaning project or go through all of the items in a house, garage, or shed. Or a homeowner might pass away, and the relatives need to tidy the house to sell it. Rather than making a half-dozen trips to the dump—using a neighbor’s pickup—rent a dumpster and get the job done in one fell swoop.
Neighborhood Cleanups
Some cities or neighborhoods organize yearly cleanups to tidy the area in the spring or fall. When the cleanup is coordinated, several people can pitch in to rent dumpsters to accommodate the volume of debris (from indoors or outdoors). Just make sure to monitor that nothing hazardous ends up in the dumpsters.
How to Save Money on Dumpster Rental Prices
Dumpster rental prices aren’t the most costly item you could rent, but they’re also not the cheapest, especially when it’s an additional fee on top of another expensive project. Consider these tips for saving money on dumpster rental prices.
- Calculate the right size. Consult with the company to choose the right size for your project. Too small and you’ll pay overage fees, but too big and you’ve paid more for the rental than needed. Be up front about what and how much you intend to dispose of so you can get the most accurate quote and size possible.
- Get multiple quotes. Rates vary from one company to another. You may be able to price match with an earlier availability date if you call several companies.
- Ask about extra fees. Know exactly what conditions and situations can tack on extra fees so you can avoid them if possible.
- Check for discounts. Many dumpster rental companies have discounts for military, seniors, and first responders.
- See if you can rent for a day or two. While this is not always an option, a company may be able to lease you a dumpster for a shorter period if you’re certain you can have it picked up in time.
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Questions to Ask About Dumpster Rental Prices
The fees associated with dumpster rental prices aren’t overly complicated, but making sure you get the right size and style can feel daunting. Most importantly, you don’t want to feel like you’re being nickel-and-dimed by any unexpected fees. Use any of these questions to help guide your decision-making process so you know what to expect.
- What do you include in the flat-rate rental fee? (Pickup, delivery, and disposal is most common)
- Do you have a calculation guide to help me decide the best size to rent?
- Do I need a residential or construction dumpster for this project?
- What happens if I overload the dumpster?
- What is your late fee?
- Is there a discount for returning it early?
- Do I need a permit? If so, do you obtain it and provide me with a copy?
- When can you deliver the dumpster?
- What time do you pick it up on the last day of my rental?
- What kinds of materials are not allowed in the dumpster?
- How much space do you need to park it?
- What are the weight limits and dimensions of this dumpster?
- What if I need the dumpster for a few extra days?
- What if I fill this dumpster faster than expected? Do I rent a second one, or do I have it dumped and returned?
- Do you cover the cost of any damages to my driveway if the dumpster is dropped improperly?
FAQs
Renting a dumpster makes a big job a little easier since you only have to worry about hauling trash to a dumpster on your property. It’s a reasonably cut-and-dried transaction: You rent the dumpster, they drop it off, you fill it, they remove and dump it. Still, there are a few complexities that can make one wonder about dumpster rental prices. Consider these answers to some frequently asked questions to feel more confident about the process.
Q. How long can I rent a dumpster?
Dumpsters can be rented for periods ranging from days to months, depending on your needs. Construction projects usually require renting them for the longest period, while cleaning out an old house may only require renting one for a few days. If you need a dumpster for an extended period, such as for a construction project, you’ll need to look at leasing a long-term commercial dumpster.
Q. Do I need to clean a dumpster before returning it?
No. Since you are not responsible for dumping a dumpster (you don’t have the right heavy equipment to wrangle the dumpster to the waste management center), you will not have to make sure it’s clean before returning it. Once it’s removed from your property, it’s out of your hands.
It’s possible that you could get a reduced rental rate if you’re using the dumpster for what’s considered a “clean” load. This would be any job where it’s basically the same type of recyclable debris like an entire roof of shingles or broken-up concrete.
Q. What size dumpster do I need?
First, get really honest and transparent about exactly what you’re going to be discarding. A small, half-bath remodel could require only a 10-yard dumpster, but a whole house cleanup might need a 40-yard dumpster. One rule of thumb is that 1 cubic yard holds between 5 and 6 13-gallon bags. If your debris is from the yard, you’ll need to consider the length and weight of the material you’re disposing of.
Ask each company you call for a quote what they recommend for your situation. If it ends up being a decision between an 8-yard and a 10-yard dumpster, it’s probably best to choose the larger one to play it safe since you’ll be charged for overfilling a smaller dumpster.
Sources: HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide, Fixr
