Common Dumpster Rental Mistakes to Avoid

Projects like home construction, renovations and remodels, roof and flooring replacements, and basement and garage cleanups generate large quantities of trash and debris. Most of the time, it’s more than your regular trash service can take at a time or materials they can’t or won’t take. In such cases, a dumpster rental delivered to and picked up from your site is the best way to dispose of the debris and keep your site safe and tidy.

When getting a dumpster rental in Orlando, there are five common dumpster rental mistakes to avoid. All of them can result in extra time, extra money, and/or significant inconvenience.

1. A Dumpster Too Large

The cost of a dumpster rental depends on the size of the dumpster and how long you need it. If you get a dumpster larger than you need, you’ll be paying for space you’re not using. To avoid throwing that money away, you want to have the right size for the job.

That’s not always so easy to determine, though. Renovating a bathroom and kitchen and constructing an add-on to a home will generate a lot more waste than a yard or basement cleanup will. The waste from a roof replacement doesn’t take up a huge amount of space since most of it is flat, but because it weighs so much, a larger dumpster might be needed not for the capacity but for the weight limits.

It’s, therefore, important to talk with the rental company about your project so that they can help you choose the dumpster size that’s right for you. Here at RGH Waste & Disposal, we offer 20-yard and 30-yard dumpsters for rent, which makes it easier for you to select the size that will work for you. The sizes we offer will cover you for just about any residential or commercial project.

2. A Dumpster Too Small

Renting a dumpster that’s too large for your needs might mean wasting some money, but it’s nowhere close to the problem that renting a dumpster that’s too small is.

Dumpsters have weight and capacity limits, and you can’t fill one past either limit. This means you can’t have things sticking out above the top, even if you’re under the weight limit.

When you rent a dumpster that’s too small, you’re left with extra debris, and the options for dealing with it aren’t going to be too appealing:

• You can remove the excess debris yourself. This probably means multiple trips to and from a landfill, with disposal fees. And that’s assuming you have the means to transport the debris, such as a pickup truck with a bed that can accommodate it.
• The rental company may refuse to take an overfilled dumpster until the problem is addressed. This will mean that you’ll have to remove items yourself or will have to pay extra for the company to do so.
• You can rent an additional dumpster, which of course, is going to cost you extra.

Again, talk with the company before selecting a dumpster size so that you can avoid this very unpleasant situation.

3. Disposing of Items Not Allowed

A rental dumpster is not a magical machine for making everything you don’t want disappear. There are laws covering what cannot go into a dumpster; if you dispose of items not allowed, you could end up with fines, removal fees, or having to remove the items yourself.

So, what can’t you put into a dumpster? The specifics vary by location, but it generally includes electronics, flammable materials, and liquid waste. Here are some common examples:

• Aerosols
• Batteries
• Cleaning chemicals
• Computers and tablets
• Gasoline and propane
• Paint
• Refrigerators not drained of refrigerant
• Tires

When you arrange to rent a dumpster, talk with the company about what you can’t put into the dumpster. They may also suggest how to dispose of forbidden items and whom to contact about that.

4. Not Having a Suitable Location

You’re not going to be happy if the rental company shows up and there isn’t a place for the dumpster to go. This is something you can avoid by understanding the following:

• The dumpster has to be in a flat place large enough to accommodate it.
• The location has to be accessible for the delivery truck to both get in and out.
• There can’t be obstacles such as cars, trees, branches, or other objects.

Considering this, the best place for a dumpster is usually a driveway. However, if the driveway is sloped, too small, or irregularly shaped, you may have to use your yard, provided the truck can access it. In that case, you’ll also need to protect the ground beneath the dumpster, probably with wood.

As a last resort, you might be able to use the street, but many municipalities and homeowner associations don’t allow that.

5. Underestimating the Time You Need

If pickup day arrives and you haven’t finished disposing of all your waste, you’re looking at the same problems having too small of a dumpster presents: having to dispose of the rest yourself, extending your rental period, or renting a second dumpster. As already mentioned, each of those means extra inconvenience and extra costs.

To avoid having to deal with that, plan your project out well in advance so you can estimate how long you’ll need the dumpster. Adding some extra time as protection from unforeseen delays is a good idea. Finishing early and paying for a few days you don’t need is a lot better than not finishing on time.

Rent a Dumpster from RGH Waste & Disposal

If you’re in the Orlando area, there’s a great answer to “Where’s a dumpster rental near me?”

RGH Waste & Disposal

We have 20- and 30-yard dumpsters for rent, usually with 24/7 availability and same-day delivery and pickup. Our pricing is competitive, and there are no hidden “gotcha” fees. 

With our rental dumpsters, you can keep your site safe and clean and not have to worry about disposal. Get a quote today!