Before you sign on the dotted line for your rented dumpster, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the rental agreement. You don’t want to be surprised with additional charges added to your final bill just because you didn’t read what you were signing. Just follow the tips below and we’ll have you renting a dumpster in no time!
Weight Allowances
Dumpster companies have maximum weight limits or weight allowances. Why is that?
- The trucks transporting the dumpsters can only handle a certain amount of weight. If you exceed this limit, it could damage the truck or cause unsafe conditions for the driver and other vehicles around him.
- Dump fees are charged by the ton at the landfill, so rental companies have to set a weight limit on each load.
Weight allowances can range from 1 to 8 tons or more. Be especially careful of exceeding the weight allowance with heavy debris, like concrete, dirt, or roofing shingles. Even if you have an unlimited weight allowance, you must still follow the rules of loading the dumpster to a specified height limit that doesn’t exceed the top rim of the container.
Overfilling
If you fill your dumpster over the designated fill line—which usually is in a different location in the dumpster depending on the type of debris—the dumpster company can choose to remove some or all of the load. Usually, the customer (you) is responsible for unloading the materials until the load is at the fill line. This may sound unfair, but by law, the dumpster company cannot haul the dumpster away with waste or debris exceeding the top of the container.
If you are not at the site while the dumpster is picked up, then the driver might remove some of the debris from the dumpster to get its height to the fill line. The debris would be left at your site and you would be responsible for disposing of it. The driver may not pick up the container at all, though, and you would have to pay the associated trip charge on your final invoice.
Rental Period
Typically, you can rent your dumpster for 7 to 10 days, but the rental period will be detailed in your contract with the company. You have the option of requesting to extend or shorten the timeline, but there will be a daily fee for the adjustment. If you want your dumpster picked up early, call the dumpster company to make sure that there is a driver available. You will not, however, receive a discount for ending the rental agreement early. There is no guarantee that the dumpster will be able to be picked up by a driver on the same day, it just depends on driver availability.
Driver Pick-Ups
You may come home to see that your dumpster was supposed to be picked up but it is still in your front yard. You can be charged a fee because the driver still drove out to your site, so you have to cover the fuel and time involved in the incomplete pick-up. If you live relatively far from the dumpster company, you may be charged even more for the distance the driver had to travel without being able to pick up the dumpster. There are a few reasons your dumpster could be left at the site:
- The container has been overfilled or it is too heavy for the truck to pick up. Our trucks have a maximum lifting and carrying capacity, so if your load exceeds that capacity, then the driver must leave the dumpster on-site.
- Hazardous materials or mixed wastes are in the dumpster. Hazardous materials like chemicals and flammable wastes are not allowed in dumpsters which puts the driver in an unsafe situation when hauling these materials. If you have a dumpster that is only supposed to be filled with one type of material, like concrete, and your driver sees that there are other types of debris as well, then he may not haul the dumpster away from the site.
- Dumpster access is blocked. A car might be blocking the truck’s path to load the dumpster, so make sure that the driver has plenty of access to the dumpster during your scheduled pick-up time.
Additional Fees
Quotes for your dumpster will generally include delivery, pickup, and disposal for seven to ten days, but there are some other fees that are not always included in the quoted price. If you think you could acquire some of these fees, be sure to ask the dumpster company about them. I’ll go into detail about some of these fees in this post.
- Taxes
- Additional days
- Overages
- Hazardous materials
- Trip charges
- Permits
Hazardous Wastes
If you’re not exactly sure what qualifies as a hazardous waste, here are a few that make the list:
- Paint (dried paint may be acceptable)
- Car fluids – oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze
- 55-gallon drums
- Asbestos
- Herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides
- Batteries
- Appliances containing Freon (refrigerators)
Dumpster Permits
If your container is going to be placed on the side of a city street or any other public right-of-way, you will need a permit. If the dumpster is going to be placed in your driveway or other private part of your property, however, then you will not need to worry about paying for a permit. If you need a permit, ask the dumpster company you are working with for help, though it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary permits. You can get a permit from your city government. If you do not get this permit before putting the dumpster where a permit is needed, you will need your dumpster moved to a different location on your property. If this happens, you will have to pay a move fee.
Property Damage
If there are any damages to your driveway, curb, sidewalk, or yard, the dumpster company is usually not responsible, but it may be insured. Make sure you ask about this potential situation before renting the dumpster.
Rain or Snow Weight
Rain and snow can saturate the contents of the dumpster, making it heavier than normal. This can increase the total weight of the load and ultimately increase the cost of the rental. Dumpster companies are not responsible for the additional weight caused by the weather, so you will be responsible for covering the overage costs. You can prepare for saturating weather by placing a tarp over the dumpster to reduce the amount of moisture going into the dumpster.
Time to Get Started
Bargain Dumpster will help you choose the best size dumpster for your needs, but be sure that before you sign the final paperwork you know exactly what terms and conditions you are agreeing to. Once all of your questions have been answered, it’s time to rent your dumpster!
Have any additional Questions?
Call us today and we would be happy to walk you through the rental process.
