How much “stuff” do you have? For those who have called the same place home for many years, it’s all too easy to accumulate a huge amount of personal items, both important and unimportant. Eventually, you could reach a point where it’s time to simply say “enough is enough” and make the decision that it’s time for some things to go for good. In another situation, you could face the need to clear out a home after the passing of a loved one, or to tidy up after a home renovation. Do you need a dumpster to be able to take care of this process? There are a few things that go into making that decision. Let’s break them down.

Assessing the scope of your project with accuracy

Sometimes it is easy to know right away when a junk removal project you wish to undertake will generate a large amount of garbage. In the case of cleaning up a property after a renovation, it could be that you had to store the debris generated by the work somewhere else in the house, such as the garage, or elsewhere on the property. It could consist of everything from old, broken drywall and timber framing to paint, large plastic tarps, and more. There’s no need to engage in any estimation when you can see a giant pile of junk in plain sight.

Not every project is so straightforward. When you’ve only just decided it is time to let go of many old items, you may not know right away whether a dumpster is the right choice. After all, what if it turns out that you don’t have that much to discard after all? Go space by space and prepare the property for the removal process. This evaluation can be daunting, but breaking it up into smaller chunks and learning how to determine if you should keep something can make the process that much simpler.

During this process, it is a good idea to make a list of the items that may require special disposal. Your list might include old tires, broken electronic items, or certain types of hazardous waste. It will be important later when you need to choose a dumpster company. Once you’ve done a thorough examination of your home and gotten a first-hand look at how much needs to go, you can decide which disposal method will work best.

Do you really need a dumpster?

Answering the above question requires thinking about some other things first. You may not initially think that a dumpster is the right choice; after all, doesn’t it mean a hassle-filled process and an unsightly dumpster sitting in front of the property for a long period? Neither of these things are necessarily true. In fact, armed with a sense of what you need and what you plan to accomplish, neither are even true concerns. Renting a dumpster can be fast and easy, and when done in sync with your junk removal plans, can streamline the entire process.

Okay, what about those other things you should consider? First, ask yourself if you have any oversized, bulky, or otherwise very heavy items for disposal. Consider the previous example of a house where junk from a renovation and excess building materials have accumulated. That’s not going to be anything you can force into your normal trash can. Even large “contractor” style garbage bags may not be a good idea. Considering that drywall weighs roughly a pound and a half per square foot, it can add up to a hefty weight quickly. Even if you could place the junk inside garbage bags, they could be too heavy to move. If you face a situation like this, a dumpster rental is a smart move. The same goes for large objects.

Next, consider the potential impact of your project. Do you care if everything you throw away goes straight to a landfill, or would you prefer a “greener” approach to the process? Some dumpster companies will sort through the garbage you discard, only sending the most unusable objects to the landfill. The rest go on to recycling facilities. Instead of throwing things in the regular trash, you could choose this option instead.

As a final consideration, think about the convenience. A dumpster doesn’t just mean less time spent filling garbage bags and hauling heavy objects around. It also means less time spent on the project overall. With an on-site rental, you can spend less time thinking about the logistics of disposal and more time moving things straight from the house into the dumpster. Sound like what you need for a successful project?

Picking the right partner for a rental

So, you’ve decided that you do need a dumpster to execute the project you have in mind after all. What next? For most people, pricing will be the number one concern. This isn’t typically the sort of undertaking that pays for itself, so you’ll naturally want an option that’s cost-effective. Pricing models vary, but among the most helpful for homeowners is the usage-based model. Rather than paying a flat rate or by weight, both of which can prove to be more expensive if you have a lot to discard, you pay based on what percentage of the space in the dumpster you use. Consider how useful this can be, especially in a situation where you fill one dumpster and require another — but with that one, you only fill it up halfway. Instead of paying the entire rate again, you save money by only paying for the half you did use.

Remember the potentially hazardous waste you made a note of earlier? Now is the time to discuss disposal with the dumpster company you choose. Find out what is and is not allowable, then make alternative plans as necessary. For example, many auto supply stores and mechanics will accept used motor oil for disposal, while some brick-and-mortar electronics stores take lithium-ion rechargeable batteries for recycling. It’s important for both safety and environmental reasons not to discard these things with “regular” junk, so check with the provider for tips on how to proceed.

Executing your project with an eye towards success

Plan where you will want the dumpster to go ahead of time after deciding to book a rental. After placement, you may not have the opportunity to move the unit again until the company returns to pick it up again. Where is the place most convenient to your project? Some homeowners may opt for the driveway, while others may make way to allow for the drop-off in the backyard or another area. Wherever you ask for placement, take care not it does not create an obstruction.

With everything now in place, homeowners can proceed apace with their junk removal project. Rental rates typically include several days before any additional fees come into play. This way, you have plenty of time to finish the project and send that junk on its way. When all is said and done, the only thing left to do is tidy up the space and put things back in order.

There’s no need to let unwanted items, broken furniture, or discarded appliances accumulate around the house. With a fair pricing scheme such as those described above which scale to the amount of space you fill; a rental dumpster can streamline your junk cleanup project even if you only have a small amount of debris to clear. Whether you need a dumpster because you have a huge amount of junk to remove or because you’re looking for something to add convenience to the project, find a dumpster rental company that has the right flexibility and products to help you.