Choosing your roll-off Dumpster

No matter what type of construction job you’re up against one thing will always stand true – you’re gonna need a roll-off dumpster. When you’re working to establish a construction site, one of the first things you would want to schedule is some sort of dumpster service. When it comes to roll-off dumpsters, they come in various sizes. Choosing the correct size dumpster will depend on your budget, project size, and what you’re dumping.

Roll-off vs. Front-Load

What’s an easy way to tell the difference?

Roll-off dumpsters have an open top and are loaded on a truck. Front-load dumpsters are practically covered trash bins – loaded from the front. You can find front-loads behind restaurants, strip malls, and apartment complexes.

A roll-off is going to be your best option when it comes to clean-outs, renovations, and any size construction site. With roll-offs having open tops and being multiple sizes, garbage is easily managed. Regular pick-ups will aid in making it easy to haul debris from construction and demolition sites.

Roll-off Sizes

Roll-off dumpsters typically come in three standard sizes. This includes 10-yard, 20-yard, and 30-yard options. Some dumpster rental companies may also offer a 40-yard option.

More times than not, a 10-yard dumpster will hold about three pickup truck loads. Simply multiply those numbers for an estimate of the storage space of each size dumpster.

For smaller projects, a 10-yard rental is enough space to haul off small amounts of piping, re-flooring and renovation debris. It’s also a good size for disposing of concrete, dirt and other heavy materials – the sides are short enough to prevent overweight penalties.

On the other hand, a 30-yard dumpster is usually the largest dumpster available and holds between 4-5 tons of weight – that’s about 9 truckloads worth! It’s a great size for construction sites. Before you book a dumpster this big, you should make sure you have enough space and clearance for a truck to safely drop off and load a full dumpster.

National roll-off Pricing

Dumpster prices will vary across the country. And the budget should be a key consideration when choosing a roll-off. Areas with a lot of roll-offs available typically have lower prices. High-growth areas could be more likely to have high demand and even higher costs. Always double-check.

However, availability isn’t the only factor. There are also areas with higher waste fees and other pricing considerations. It may help to work with someone who knows the market.

When you see a rental quote with “flat pricing”, be sure to ask what fees are included. Sometimes it can feel like you’re getting a great deal when in reality there were hundreds of dollars in “extra” fees tacked onto the final bill. What kind of fees? Well, weight limit fees, time limit fees, or fees for specific types of debris – typically heavy construction items.

Equally, don’t assume that you can bypass paying for weight overages or other required fees. Always pay close attention to what’s included in your rental contract. Overloading your dumpster or trying to throw out tires, batteries or hazardous materials will raise your bill. Now, if you have any questions about what’s included in a “flat” quote, take the time to find out before you rent.

Last Minute Thoughts

First of all, it’s always good to keep a few things in mind before you attempt to book your roll-off dumpster. For example, most rental services prohibit dumping yard waste, flammable materials, etc. Not to mention, no matter where you are on the planet, there’s no such thing as dumping a mattress without some sort of additional fee.

Next, check on any local permits and parking regulations at your site. The last thing you need is the city gifting you a bill because you didn’t have the right permit for your dumpster. If you’re at risk for blocking a public access way, this is especially true.

Last but not least, be sure to set a pick-up date – give yourself enough time to complete the job. If you fail to plan your timeline, you could either end up with a dumpster sitting on your site too long or paying additional fees for having to extend your time.

Give us a call at (865) 988-9737 and talk with our dedicated team to get a quote on roll-offs and more.