How Much Is It to Rent a Dumpster in Fairfax?

How much does it cost to rent a dumpster in Fairfax, Virginia?

• The size of the dumpster you decide to rent: With some junk removal companies, the question “How much is it to rent a dumpster?” is perhaps most contingent on the size of dumpster you choose to rent. Many companies serving this niche offer half a dozen different dumpster rental sizes, usually ranging from 10 cubic yards to around 50 or 60 cubic yards. Obviously, you are going to pay more to rent a bigger dumpster.

• How long you need the dumpster: Is your project a weekend cleanout or a renovation where you expect the demolition stage to take a week or longer? The answer will reflect in the cost of your dumpster rental. You will need to pay extra if you wish to keep the bin for longer. Most dumpster rental companies have multiple different tiers, based on the length of your rental. By standard, these tiers will probably be set for three-day rentals, five-day rentals, seven-day rentals, etc. You can rent bins for longer, of course, but you will need to arrange that with the company.

• Your location: The location of your home or business is always going to affect how much you pay for a dumpster rental. Any dumpster rental service involves both a bin delivery and a bin pickup. The distance that the delivery/pickup driver needs to travel to reach your location, therefore, is going to be a major factor in the cost of your rental. As such, it’s not a bad idea to look at where different dumpster rental companies are in relation to you. If you live in the heart of Fairfax, you will probably save money by finding a dumpster rental company located in or near the downtown area.

• Availability: Especially with dumpster rental companies that offer a variety of different sizes to choose from, how much you pay might depend on the availability of the type of bin you need. For instance, if the dumpster rental company nearest to you has rented out all its 15 cubic yard units, you might have to pay extra to bump up to the next biggest size or to have the dumpster delivered from another location.

• Type of trash: Some companies rent out different types of dumpsters for different types of trash. Some might have specific bins for construction debris, yard waste, electronic waste, or the like. In general, you can expect to pay slightly different rates depending on the type of bin you choose to rent. The variance in cost is because some types of trash are more difficult to dispose of safely than others. For instance, electronics or appliances often can’t just get dumped in the nearest landfills. There are necessary protocols that companies follow to prevent pollution and dangerous environmental effects. As a result, tougher-to-handle waste will sometimes cost more to get rid of than more standard garbage. In some cases, though, you might find companies that sort your junk for you at no additional cost.

• The amount of junk you have: As we already mentioned, there are dumpster rental companies out there that bill flat rates based on dumpster sizes. There are also businesses that bill on a more contingent basis, either based on weight or on how much dumpster space you fill. In many ways, these models are more customer-friendly, as you pay based on the amount of trash you are disposing of and not based on the bin you choose. Especially if you have no idea which dumpster size is right for your situation, looking for a company that bills based on weight or dumpster space might be a better option.

• The company you choose: Even aside from the other items featured on this list, different dumpster rental companies charge slightly different rates for their rentals. These rates may be based on a company’s longevity or reputation or might just shift as different services try to compete with one another. Because prices vary so much, it’s always a smart strategy to get three or four quotes to compare. If you only get one quote, it will be difficult to know whether it’s on the high or low end of the market.

• Fees and add-ons: Some dumpster rental companies have billing systems that supplement the cost of your actual dumpster hire with fees and add-on charges. Permit fees, dumping fees, rental fees, and other additional expenses are all semi-common. Fees aren’t a massive problem if they aren’t pushing you out of your budget range and if the company is being transparent about them. However, just make sure you know what you are dealing with upfront. When you get a quote, ask if the price estimate is locked in or if there will be any additional costs or fees. You shouldn’t expect a guaranteed quote—especially if your dumpster rental company bills based on the amount of bin space you use. However, any dumpster rental company worth its salt should either disclose fees or clarify that there are no hidden fees. You can do some internet research here as well, to find out if a company has any complaints about unfair or misleading pricing practices.