The national average to rent a dumpster, also known as a dump trailer, ranges from $340 to $380. The cost of dumpster rental will depend on the dumpster size, how long you'll need the dumpster, the final filled weight, and whether you need to dispose of any hazardous materials.
What's in this cost guide?
Why rent a dumpster?
Dumpsters aren't just for commercial construction projects anymore, folks. Dumpster rentals are convenient for large and small clean-outs of unwanted junk from your home, office, or commercial space. They also come in handy during an interior or exterior house remodel to dispose of construction materials. Simply toss your junk or debris in the dumpster, fill 'er up, and haul it away!
Figuring out where you can safely dispose of certain debris and the permits and fees required can be a hassle. Renting a dumpster takes the hassle out of that situation and keeps the project moving forward. In fact, in some cases, a dumpster rental really is your best option if your local waste collection agency restricts the types of waste they accept. Dumpster rental prices encompass everything, including delivery to your location, hauling it away, and proper disposal of its contents, including related permits and landfill fees.
What determines dumpster rental prices?
There are a few factors which determine dumpster rental prices, including the size of the dumpster, weight of the filled dumpster, space filled in the dumpster, and the rental period. Let's dive into some specifics.
The size dumpster you need will depend on the type of project involved and the volume of material being disposed of. A dumpster's volume capacity is measured in cubic yards. A cubic yard is a square measuring one yard (3 feet) on each side. Sizes range from 10- to 40-cubic yards. In general, the larger the dumpster you rent, the higher the price. Some dumpster rental companies offer different sizes for specific types of materials or debris.
The volume size of the dumpster isn't the only thing that affects your final dumpster rental cost. Many dumpster rental services have maximum weight limits for each size. If the final filled weight of the dumpster exceeds that limit, you will be charged extra either for every pound or every ton over the weight limit.The final weight of a filled dumpster affects the rental cost in two ways. First, the more the dumpster weighs the more work involved for the pros to haul it away and unload it. Second, the heavier the load, the higher the dump fees will be. Therefore, the price to rent the dumpster will increase.
Instead of final weight, many rental services charge by the amount of space used in the rental dumpster. In this pricing system, companies will also charge you a minimum fee. Additionally, each size will have corresponding fees for being half-filled or full. Here's a pricing example for a 12-yard dumpster based on a space-filled fee policy:
How long you'll need the dumpster also affects the final cost. Dumpsters can be rented on a short-term or long-term basis, for just a day or for several months. The longer you keep the dumpster, the higher the costs you will incur. Some dumpster rental companies charge a per-day rental fee; other dumpster rental companies charge a flat-rate to rent a dumpster for certain blocks of time. In general, rental time blocks range from several days to one week, two weeks, one month or two months. Once you choose a renting time length, they will tack on fees for each day over the time-limit specified. Here's an example of the typical pricing structure to rent a 15-yard dumpster.
Choosing a dumpster size
Here are a few examples of common dumpster size costs and general weight limits for each that we gleaned from our pros:
Dumpsters also come in 12-yard, 20-yard, and 40-yard sizes. Dumpsters ranging from 10- to 15-yards are usually appropriate for small projects; dumpsters that hold 30 yards are suitable for medium-to-large projects; dumpsters that hold 40 yards are good for large or commercial-sized projects.
Cost-saving tips
You don't want to overestimate or underestimate the size of dumpster you'll need. You also don't want to overestimate or underestimate the length of time you'll need the dumpster. A dumpster rental professional or removal service can help you determine the best size and fee structure for your needs. Be sure to tell them what type of project you need the dumpster for (i.e. remodel, clearing out construction debris, yard waste, etc.). They will help you select an affordable dumpster rental to fit your needs.
To save money, don't rent a dumpster until you're ready to begin the demolition or clean-out phase of your project otherwise, the dumpster will be sitting at your location unfilled while you're racking up charges. Additionally, the time period in which a rental company can haul away your filled dumpster may depend on their access to disposal sites. Before beginning, be sure to ask whether there are any restrictions on pickup dates.