Construction companies and contractors rent roll off dumpsters all the time, so they know all of the lingo and what they can fit in a dumpster. But if you’re like most homeowners, you’ve never rented a dumpster. That’s why we’ve put together our Dumpster Rental 101, where we go over some of the basics.
Let’s get started.
When You Might Need a Dumpster
Most of our residential customers rent a roll off dumpster for 3 basic reasons, all of which involve getting rid of a lot of debris and trash all at one time. These occasions include:
- A big DIY landscaping project
- A garage, basement, attic, or whole house cleanout
- A DIY home remodeling project
We mention DIY projects, because in most instances, if you hire a contractor to do a landscaping project or home improvement project, they take care of renting a dumpster or using dump trucks to dispose of waste and debris.
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Dumpster Sizes
Once you’ve decided to rent a dumpster, you have to decide what size to get. Dumpster sizes are measured in cubic yard capacity. The most common sizes (and sizes we rent) are:
10 Yard Dumpster Rental
The smallest dumpster, this size is big enough for things such as yard waste disposal or garage cleanout. The smaller size means the sides are low enough you can just toss things in rather than wheel them in.
15 Yard Dumpster Rental
Ideal for most home projects, this size holds the equivalent of about 4 ½ pickup truck loads. Lower sides again allow you to toss things in from all sides.
20 Yard Dumpster Rental
This size is commonly used by contractors and construction companies, but is also a good size for a whole-house cleanout, such as you might have before moving.
Dumpster Rental Prices
Dumpster rental prices vary from business to business and even county to county in Maryland. That’s why it’s important to get more than one quote before you commit. Be sure to ask each company what’s included in the rental price, as well as added fees such as:
- Overage charges
- Tipping fees
- Fuel surcharges
- Late fees
You may get a lowball quote that sounds great, but then the company tacks on so many fees that it ends up costing more than another company quoted. You can avoid overage charges by not overloading your dumpster, and avoid late fees by finishing your project on time.
Where to Put Your Rental Dumpster
It’s important to decide where to put the dumpster BEFORE our truck arrives with your rental. Most people either have us put it in their driveway. Make sure you follow HOA rules if you are part of one. You will need to be on site when we deliver.
What NOT to Put in Your Rental Dumpster
First of all, don’t overload your dumpster – don’t load it past the top of the container. Then, be sure you DO NOT put the following items in your dumpster, as they are prohibited.
- Flammable liquids
- Propane tanks
- Oil drums
- Compressed gas cylinders
- Poison (rat poison, ant poison, etc.)
- Tires
- Car batteries
- Anything containing asbestos
- Appliances
- Electronics
- Lawn mowers
- Railroad ties
We may be able to help you dispose of some of these items, but please don’t toss them in the dumpster. You may also want to check with Harford County Waste Disposal Center or the Baltimore County Solid Waste Trash Disposal FAQs to see if you can drop some of these items off at a county collection site.
For even more information about renting a dumpster, visit our FAQs page.
Set Up Your Dumpster Rental Now
To set up your dumpster rental, call or text us at 443-286-3284 and we’ll be happy to work with you. In most cases, we can deliver your roll off dumpster(s) the next day. We allow you to keep the dumpster for up to 10 days, and you simply call us when you’re ready for us to pick it up.
We offer competitive dumpster rental prices to homeowners and commercial contractors throughout Baltimore and Harford counties.
