Top 7 Frequently Asked Questions about Commercial Dumpster Rentals

Moving; renovating; building; spring cleaning. These tasks are all situations in which commercial dumpster rentals can come in handy. A well-planned dumpster rental will give you a place to toss your trash or building debris while your project is in full swing.

Once you’re done, someone shows up at your home or office to pick up the dumpster and haul it away. Just like that, you never need to worry about your junk again.

Commercial dumpster rentals sound simple because, for the most part, they are. Renting a dumpster is meant to be user-friendly. However, just because the process is intuitive doesn’t say it’s open and shut. On the contrary, you may well have questions you need to be answered before you finalize your rental and make plans for dumpster delivery. Some of these issues are things you will need to direct toward your dumpster rental company. Others are things you can find out by doing some reading online. Here are seven of the most frequently asked questions about commercial dumpster rentals, as well as their respective answers.

What is the difference between a commercial dumpster and a rolloff dumpster?

If you are thinking about a dumpster rental, you should at least know what you’re getting! Sometimes, different rental companies will use the terms “commercial dumpster” and “rolloff dumpster” interchangeably. In other cases, though, scheduling a commercial dumpster rental is a different thing than scheduling a rolloff dumpster rental.

The term “commercial dumpster” refers to the type of covered dumpster you would see outside a restaurant or hotel. These types of dumpsters tend to be the ones that businesses rent for long-term trash services. They fill the dumpsters and then the trash company that provided the rental comes by and does a weekly pickup.

Rolloff dumpsters, meanwhile, are usually the ones you will want to rent for more temporary projects, such as renovations or cleanouts. These dumpsters sit on the bed of a truck and then literally “roll off” at delivery time. In most cases, they are open containers with no tops or covers. They sit in your driveway or parking lot temporarily as you fill them up. Upon completion of your project, the delivery person comes back, loads the container onto the bed of the truck, and drives away.

Because these terms appear interchangeably from time to time, you should always ask for a photograph before you rent a dumpster. Rolloff dumpsters are best for construction projects, big cleaning jobs, or renovations because they are wide open and usually a bit bigger than the standard commercial dumpster. However, some companies might just be using the term “commercial” as a stand-in for “big” or “heavy-duty.” Looking at a picture before you rent will help dispel any confusion.

In most cases, the process is quite simple. You call the dumpster rental company and make arrangements to have a dumpster delivered to a specific address at an agreed time. A delivery person drives your dumpster over to drop it off as arranged. You then proceed to fill the dumpster with junk and debris from your home, office, storage unit, or worksite. An employee of the dumpster rental company then comes back to your address—usually at a pre-set time, agreed upon in your initial contract—and picks up the dumpster along with your trash.

Unfortunately, this question might be the most difficult one to answer. Depending on the company you rent from, you might be able to get a rolloff/commercial dumpster rental that is anywhere from 2-3 cubic yards in capacity to 40 or 50 cubic yards. As you might expect, the price will fluctuate accordingly.

Estimating which size is right for you can be a challenge. Some dumpster rental providers offer reference guides that you can use to get a better idea of how much stuff specific bins hold. However, if you choose wrong, you could end up with a dumpster that is too small (and therefore insufficient for all your junk and debris) or one that is too big (and therefore a waste of money).

If you can, look for a dumpster rental company that offers a one-size-fits-all or pay-as-you-use service. With only one size to choose from, you’ll enjoy a much simpler and less stressful rental process. With a pay-as-you-use service, you’ll only spend money on the dumpster space that you fill. Not all dumpster rental companies offer these options, but some do!

This question is one you should pose to your rental company before you sign a contract. In most cases, you will have a fair amount of freedom with what you can dispose of in a rolloff dumpster. The list of commonly accepted items includes construction debris (drywall, carpet, tile, roof shingles, etc.), furniture, electronic devices, appliances, and standard household junk or garbage.

As for items you can’t throw away, most dumpster rental companies have a list they can share with you. Common exclusions include batteries, adhesives, oil or other automotive fluids, printer ink, paint, tires, and anything that might be deemed excessively flammable or explosive.

The rule of thumb with filling your dumpster is to be even. Said another way, your trash shouldn’t create a series of hills and valleys in the bin. Loading everything evenly will allow you to fit more stuff into the dumpster and will make for a safer pickup and disposal process. Also, take care not to overfill your dumpster. If your trash is heaping or bulging out of the top of your bin, you have probably overloaded the thing. Some dumpster rental companies won’t haul away dumpsters if they are filled beyond capacity, while others will hit you with extra fees.

The answer to this question will vary from customer to customer. The size of the dumpster you need, the duration of your rental, and your location may all affect pricing. Some dumpster rental companies are also notorious for hitting customers with extra fees and hidden costs. Consider reading a few customer reviews before you finalize plans for a rental. What you want is a company that is transparent about its pricing structure upfront.

If you like the convenience of a rolloff dumpster rental but want to be as green as possible, what are your options? Most dumpster rental companies haul everything to the nearest dump or landfill after they pick up your bin, but some offer bin rentals for recyclable items as well as trash. In rare instances, you might even find a dumpster rental provider that lets you throw everything in the same bin and then sorts it for you.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions!

The bottom line here is that you should ask questions when you go to arrange a rolloff or commercial dumpster rental! Once you’ve picked out a dumpster rental company you like, try to get on the phone with a representative to discuss your questions or concerns. Alternatively, scour the company’s website and see what questions you can find answers for on service pages or in blog posts. The more you can find out, the happier you will be about your rental experience. The last thing you want is to be surprised by a hidden fee or policy limitation that you never saw coming.

Junk King is committed to increasing sustainability wherever we can. The top-rated customer service offered by Junk King is something we pride ourselves on. Please consider using Junk King for your dumpster rental and junk removal. 1-888-888-JUNK OR LIVE CHAT