Everything That’s Included in a Dumpster Rental Quote
When you plan a remodeling or major cleanup project, you’ll probably include renting a dumpster in your list of to-dos. But do you know what’s really involved in renting a dumpster? When you contact a dumpster rental company, you should already have a basic understanding of everything that’s included in a dumpster rental quote.
Size
Dumpsters come in a variety of sizes. Here at Delta Solid Waste Management, we offer dumpsters in 10, 20, 30, and 40-yard sizes. But what do the sizes really mean?
The “yard” referred to in the sizing means “cubic yard.” It’s a measurement of the volume the container can hold. Our containers feature a fill line, so customers know not to overfill the dumpster.
However, the volume of the dumpster isn’t the only consideration for the size you’ll need—you have to think about the types of materials you’ll be putting in the dumpster, because weight is also a factor. If you’re disposing of very dense or heavy materials, like broken-up concrete or steel beams and posts, the weight of those materials may reduce the amount you can put in any dumpster you rent. Trucks that pick up roll-off dumpsters have capacity limits, and so do the roads they travel over. Tell your dumpster rental company what kinds of materials you anticipate discarding in the dumpster. They’ll work with you to make sure you don’t exceed weight limits.
Availability and Rental Period
During the height of the construction season, dumpsters can be in short supply. Scarcity tends to cause supplies to tighten. Your rental quote should spell out the exact dates the dumpster will be available and when it’s due back. During busy times, rental fees might rise and late fees can go up, too. Late return of dumpsters can cause delays and backups with other scheduled rentals. Make sure you understand the rental period. You should know what day you’ll receive the dumpster and exactly when it must be ready for pickup.
Delivery
One of the things that makes a roll-off dumpster service so convenient is that the rental company will deliver and place the dumpster for you. Any quote for the total rental price will include the cost of delivery. Your location may affect the charges, because the distance the dumpster must travel affects fuel costs and labor costs when a driver’s time is tied up in one long-distance delivery.
Pickup
Like delivery, pickup charges should be in your dumpster rental quote. When your dumpster is full, the rental company will send a truck to pick it up and haul it away. That’s another thing that makes renting a dumpster such a convenient way of disposing of construction materials, the wreckage from a big party or event, or the accumulation of junk that’s been piling up in your shed, garage, or attic for decades.
Disposal Fees
You may not have to worry about what your dumpster rental contractor does with your waste and junk once they haul it away, but they do. You may encounter fees (sometimes called “tipping fees”) associated with bringing a load to a landfill or other disposal site. The volume of waste, and in some cases the composition of the waste, may affect where the waste is dumped. This can lead to fees, depending on applicable local, state, and federal regulations. Disposal may be more expensive in states with stricter environmental restrictions or limited landfill capacity.
Taxes
Dumpster rentals are taxable “real property services” in Texas, and dumpster rental companies that provide waste removal collect taxes on that service. If you have questions about whether the services you’re contracting for are taxable, contact your attorney.
Fuel Charges
In 2021, everyone began to feel the pinch of high fuel costs. Supply disruptions resulting from labor shortages, lockdowns, and transport problems have squeezed supplies and driven prices up. But even in times when fuel prices are low, dumpster rental companies still incur fuel costs to power the trucks that deliver, pick up, and haul away dumpsters from residences and commercial construction sites. Those costs pass on to customers, and should be part of the rental quote when you ask what your dumpster rental will cost.
Extra Fees
Even if you’re determined not to incur any additional charges, you should be aware of the circumstances in which you might face extra fees. These may include:
Late Fees: Time is of the essence in a rental contract. The next customer is waiting for delivery of their dumpster. If you surrender yours late, it has a ripple effect on your rental company and its other customers. Expect to pay extra for every day you’re late on returning your dumpster.
Overweight Charges: Exceeding the weight limit of your dumpster can make removing it more difficult and expensive. If you go over the weight limit, your rental company may receive charges to dispose of the waste, and hauling more weight uses more fuel. Expect overweight charges for each ton you exceed the weight limit.
Permits: Some cities require permits if a dumpster is on a public street (rather than in a private driveway or yard). Find out ahead of time if you’ll need a permit to park your dumpster in a public space by contacting your municipality.
Additional Distance Fees: the farther away you are from where the dumpster originates, the more it will cost to deliver and collect. Distance adds to the time it takes to complete delivery and pick up. This could cost you more.
Hazardous or Prohibited Item Fees: Get a list of prohibited items and find out whether anything you plan to dispose of could be a prohibited or hazardous item. Dumpster rental services must comply with environmental regulations and may have to haul prohibited items to a different disposal facility, which will add to the cost.
Renting a dumpster seems fairly straightforward, but as we’ve seen, there are many details about the cost that should be in the quote you receive. Be sure to ask questions to clarify any potential charges you don’t understand, and get everything that’s included in a dumpster rental quote in writing so there is no miscommunication about what you’ll pay.
