Caring for our home is a source of joy and pride. Every now and then, we try to improve our homes by engaging in a decluttering project, or a big cleanout of junk that has accumulated in our closets and basements. We may even try some DIY renovations or even tear down a wall, replace the flooring or carpet, and redesign your front yard. These home projects generate a lot of waste. An efficient and tidy way of handling that trash is to get a small dumpster rental.
Dumpsters come in many sizes. A 10-yard roll-off dumpster or 15-yard roll-off dumpster would be considered small. They are perfect for most home projects.
Why rent a small dumpster?
Trash is produced as you work on your home improvement project. With a dumpster, you can toss it into the dumpster until you finish your project. You save a lot of time and effort by not having to make multiple trips to the Recycling Center or transfer facility. Your dumpster service company will also handle any recycling and proper disposal of big items and hazardous waste for you – more time savings right there!
How much does it cost to rent a small dumpster?
Dumpster rental prices depend on the dumpster size and the rental period. For a 10-yard roll-off dumpster, for example, the dumpster rental cost is about $500 in Framingham, MA in 2022. The price usually includes dump fees, but there may be additional fees for special items such as TVs and mattresses, and certain types of debris such as yard waste or ABC (Asphalt, Brick, Concrete). You may also be hit with overflow charges for filling the dumpster above the max fill line, or overload charges when you exceed a certain weight limit.
In Massachusetts, you may need a permit to have a dumpster on your property, when you place it on the street, in plain view or block a sidewalk. There may be a cost to get this permit as well.
Generally speaking, a friendly local dumpster rental company will likely offer better value than large national franchises. They typically have lower rates and as neighbors, they provide better customer service.
How to rent a small dumpster
Assuming you have selected a dumpster rental company, here’s the typical process to rent a dumpster.
-
Call to order a dumpster
To order a dumpster, you call the company for a free quote. It is best to do this at least 4 to 5 business days before your project start date. That gives the company time to schedule the right dumpster for you.
During the call, the company will ask for the address where the dumpster will be used, when it will be needed and for how long, the type of project you are working on and the size of the container you’ll need. Not sure about the last question? No worries, the company will help you estimate the size and weight capacity of the dumpster for your debris. You will then receive a price quote and terms of the rental.
The price of dumpster rental usually includes a one-time dumpster delivery and pick-up for the selected dumpster size, a disposal allowance & rental period, fuel and environmental fees and taxes. The company will be responsible for disposing the debris in an approved and licensed transfer - recycling disposal facility.
-
Prepare your site for delivery
Dumpsters should be placed on a spot for easy access and safety. Obviously, the spot must be big enough for the dumpster to sit on. If you don’t have a big enough space, consider renting a smaller dumpster and have it emptied whenever it gets full.
The container is going to be heavy so it needs to sit on an even, sturdy base such as concrete surfaces. If you plan to put it on your lawn, it may kill the grass or leave marks behind after it’s removed. In that case, you may wish to put plywood under the dumpster to protect the grass.
For convenience, place the container near the door or the worksite. It should not block anything or be blocked by obstacles like fences or trees so that you can reach it quickly and easily.
As said above, if you plan to place the container on the street, sidewalk or other public places, you will likely need to get a permit from the city.
On delivery day, remove all parked cars or obstacles, and make sure there are no low-hanging branches or wires either. This will make it easier for the dumpster truck to place your container where you want it.
-
Fill your home dumpster with trash
Roll-off containers have an easy-to-open door to let you move trash inside easily. For home cleanouts, you can load old washing machines, refrigerators, furniture and other household junk without waiting for bulk pickup day. If you are remodeling your kitchen, you can fill it with old sinks, cabinets, countertops and other debris. Always put bulky items in first. Break down boxes and large pieces of material, so you can put more into the bin. However, don’t forget the weight limit. Your rental company will also provide you with a list of prohibited items, like paint, hazardous materials, fluorescent bulbs, etc. that are not allowed in the dumpster. Make sure you don’t toss them in!
-
Schedule the Pickup
You can rent dumpsters for a day, a week, a weekend or any desired period of time. When you have filled your dumpster or completed your project, you can call your dumpster rental service to schedule a pickup. Make sure you do not overfill your dumpster. To ensure an efficient pickup, make sure that you have closed and secured the dumpster door, unlock any gates or fences that may block entry, and keep the dumpster spot free from obstacles.
Get started on your home project
Small dumpster rentals will help to make your home projects easier. They are suitable for decluttering basements and garages, foreclosure and estate cleanouts, home downsizing or moving; small renovation projects like bathroom and kitchen remodeling, carpet or floor replacements, and small-scale demolition; landscaping projects like lawn cleanup, tree trimming and shrub removal. Get started on your next home project. Contact your local dumpster rental company today!
