The Best Dumpster Rental Companies

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Hauling truckload after truckload to the local dump is no one’s idea of fun. Not only is it inconvenient, but it’s also messy and can wear on even heavy-duty pickups. Renting a dumpster is often a much better option, especially when the pile of debris would require more than one trip to the dump. It’s also worth noting that farming garbage duty out to one of the best dumpster rental companies can be a productivity hack, as customers can keep busy working on the project rather than dumping the junk. The trick is finding the right company for a customer’s needs—and this guide will help. Rubbish removal shoppers will learn about the most important considerations to keep in mind and some of the top companies to choose from.

BEST OVERALL: Waste Management
RUNNER-UP: Bin There Dump That
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Junk King
MOST TRANSPARENCY: Dumpsters.com
ALSO CONSIDER: Redbox+

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Dumpster Rental Companies

It might seem like any company willing to drop off a big metal bin and haul it away will do fine for customers who need to rent a dumpster, but that might not be the case. The following factors are some of the most important to remember when shopping for the best dumpster rental company.

Service Area and Scheduling

The first thing that dumpster rental shoppers need to do is find companies that will drop off and pick up in their area. Dumpster rental companies have service areas where they’ll work, and delivering or picking up outside of that area is either not worth it for them or not allowed (such as hauling across state lines). To find local companies, search for “best dumpster rental near me.”

Next, customers will want to consider scheduling. Customers can schedule a dumpster drop-off and pickup by phone or online. Also, there may be a lead time before the dumpster is available. In most cases, it will take at least 3 days to get a dumpster delivered, and sometimes it can take as long as 10 days. However, some companies can deliver a dumpster as soon as the next day—it depends on how the company functions and the current dumpster availability.

Dumpster Size Options

Dumpsters come in specific sizes, and the unit of measurement used to describe them is a yard. Small 2- or 4-yard dumpsters are a good size for businesses, small apartment buildings, and regular trash pickup, as they’re convenient for collecting the garbage from a handful of tenants or that of an office building. However, these dumpsters will fill up quickly for large renovations and cleanouts.

Larger dumpsters include 10-, 12-, 15-, and 20-yard dumpsters. There are even 30- and 40-yard dumpsters for extra-large projects. It’s important to consider the amount of debris that needs to go to the dump before settling on a size. Single-room renovations will only require a 10-yard dumpster, but entire home cleanouts may necessitate a 20-yard dumpster.

Also, customers will want to remember that many dumpsters have weight limits, and these limits vary from company to company. It’s important to be aware of these limits to ensure that the dumpster isn’t too heavy despite everything fitting inside. The customer will have to pay additional fees if the full dumpster is over the weight limit.

Rental Length Options

Companies have varying rental length policies regarding dumpsters. Some have preset time frames, such as 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Others may allow the customer to choose a specific date they’d like the dumpster picked up. This can matter if space is limited and more deliveries are expected, so it’s helpful to have the assurance the rental company will be able to get the dumpster out of the way.

For a bit of flexibility, some companies offer early pickups. This allows the customer to keep the dumpster until the predetermined date or call ahead for earlier pickup if the dumpster is full. There won’t be a discount for this, but some companies can set up a revolving plan where they drop off a new dumpster while picking up the old one. This is typically an additional fee.

Pricing Structure

Along with the different rental lengths offered, some companies may also have different pricing structures. Pricing will almost always depend on the size of the dumpster, but it may also be based on either the amount of time the customer has the dumpster or the amount of space used within. It’s important to be clear on the pricing structure to ensure the rental agreement offers enough value for the amount of rubbish that needs removing.

Our Top Picks

While those considerations might be a great foundation on which to start the search for the best dumpster rental company, the task might still seem overwhelming. To help, we put together some of our top picks in the dumpster rental field below.

Best Overall

Waste Management

Service area: 47 states and Washington, D.C.
Scheduling: Online
Dumpster size options: 10-yard, 12-yard, 15-yard, 20-yard, 30-yard, 40-yard, Bagster
Rental length options: Short-term rental of 30 days or less; long-term rental of 30 days or longer
Sample pricing for a 10-yard dumpster: $425 for a 7-day rental and 1 ton of debris; $1.77 per additional day and $38.66 per additional ton

Pros

Wide service area of 47 states and Washington, D.C.
7 dumpster size options to suit a wide variety of needs
Flexible short-term and long-term rental options
Streamlined online scheduling platform

Cons

Dumpster delivery windows can be relatively long

Why It Made the Cut: Between near-nationwide coverage, online scheduling, and short- or long-term rental options, Waste Management could be the best option for many customers. When it comes to coverage and flexibility, it’s hard to beat Waste Management. First, this dumpster rental company has a presence in 47 states and Washington, D.C. Also, most folks can schedule a dumpster for their property in minutes with online scheduling. However, customers will want to remember that delivery windows can be relatively long, depending on dumpster availability and location. Waste Management is all about flexibility. Shoppers can choose from 10-yard, 12-yard, 15-yard, 20-yard, 30-yard, or 40-yard dumpsters. Also, for smaller renovations, customers can purchase a lightweight, flexible Bagster dumpster from a home improvement center and schedule a pickup. Waste Management also offers short-term and long-term rentals, allowing users to rent the dumpster for a few days or over a month.

Runner-Up

Bin There Dump That

Service area: 36 states and Washington, D.C.
Scheduling: Phone
Dumpster size options: 4-yard, 6-yard, 10-yard, 15-yard, 20-yard
Rental length options: 7 days
Sample pricing for a 10-yard dumpster: $279 for 7-day rental

Pros

Relatively quick 24-hour delivery possible
More compact 4- and 6-yard dumpsters suitable for smaller-scale projects and spaces
Area around dumpster cleaned of dirt and debris when the dumpster is picked up

Cons

No dumpsters larger than 20 yards

Why It Made the Cut: Bin There Dump That rents out relatively compact dumpsters ideal for tight driveways or small renovations, and it goes the extra mile on pickup day. Folks who appreciate a company that goes the extra mile should check out Bin There Dump That. This dumpster rental company works with primarily smaller dumpsters, including 4-, 6-, 10-, 15-, and 20-yard dumpsters, which are well suited for small projects or even small driveways. The company also serves 36 states (plus Washington, D.C.), so many folks are covered (as long as they don’t want a dumpster larger than 20 yards). But it’s not the coverage area or dumpster size that makes Bin There Dump That such a find—it’s the service. First, the company often has 24-hour delivery available. Also, on the day that the company picks up the dumpster, the service providers clean the area around the dumpster of debris and dirt, giving the customer less work to do in the long run.

Best Bang for the Buck

Junk King

Service area: 38 states and Washington, D.C.
Scheduling: Online, phone, text
Dumpster size options: 12-yard
Rental length options: 3 days
Sample pricing for a 10-yard dumpster: $148 minimum; as low as $268 for full (12-yard) dumpster

Pros

Convenient online, phone, and text scheduling options
Customers only pay for space in dumpster used

Cons

Only 1 dumpster size available
User-unfriendly online experience
Unclear service area

Why It Made the Cut: With a pay-as-you-fill plan, Junk King gives dumpster renters control over their bills, possibly making it the best deal for dumpster rentals on the market. Some folks think it’s a downright travesty to pay for something they don’t use—and with good reason! Junk King helps customers avoid that scenario by allowing customers to pay only for the dumpster space they use. Not only is this essentially a pay-as-you-fill plan, but it also eases customer trepidation over choosing the wrong-size dumpster, which streamlines the rental process. Renters can choose between 3-, 5-, or 7-day rental periods, though they will only have the choice of one dumpster size (12 yards). The service area noted on the website is somewhat unclear, so customers will want to double-check that Junk King can drop off and pick up a dumpster in their area. Junk King’s website is also dense with information and can be difficult to navigate. However, scheduling the dumpster isn’t much more convenient, as Junk King offers online, phone, and text scheduling.

Most Transparency

Dumpsters.com

Service area: 250 cities in the U.S.
Scheduling: Varies by location
Dumpster size options: 10-yard, 15-yard, 20-yard, 30-yard, 40-yard
Rental length options: 7 to 10 days with extensions available
Sample pricing for a 10-yard dumpster: $321 for a 7-day rental and 1 ton of debris; $25 per additional day and $75 per additional ton

Pros

Optimal dumpster size determined by online weight calculator
Transparent delivery and pickup process

Cons

Relatively limited service area of cities and surrounding metro areas
Quote and scheduling processes vary by location

Why It Made the Cut: Dumpsters.com helps customers feel like they’re in the know during the rental process by clearly explaining ordering, delivering, and pickup, and the online weight calculator helps customers avoid overpaying for a too-large dumpster. For folks who want information about every aspect of their dumpster rental company, Dumpsters.com may be a contender. The company website provides a step-by-step guide that explains everything a customer needs to know about renting a dumpster. This site lets customers feel confident that they understand the process and everything it involves. There are a few other noteworthy items regarding Dumpsters.com. First, customers will want to be aware that the service areas are limited to 250 cities and their immediate suburbs. Also, the scheduling process varies by location. However, customers can choose 10-yard, 15-yard, 20-yard, 30-yard, or 40-yard dumpsters, so there is a size for most applications. And for folks who aren’t sure which dumpster to choose, Dumpsters.com offers a valuable online weight calculator to help select the right size.

Also Consider

Redbox+

Service area: 81 cities in the U.S.
Scheduling: Phone; online for select locations
Dumpster size options: 10-yard, 15-yard, 20-yard, 30-yard, 40-yard
Rental length options: Not specified
Sample pricing for a 10-yard dumpster: $370 for 7- to 14-day rental and 1 ton of debris

Pros

Relatively quick 24-hour delivery available
Next-day dumpster removal available

Cons

Relatively limited service area for residential dumpster rental
Website can be somewhat user-unfriendly
Difficult-to-find information around residential dumpster rental size options
Paint-can disposal prohibited

Why It Made the Cut: Folks within Redbox+’s service area can benefit from quick deliveries and next-day removals. Redbox+ may be the best choice for those who need a dumpster and need it now or those who don’t want to look at a full dumpster a day longer than necessary. For those within the relatively limited 81-city service area, Redbox+ offers 24-hour delivery, allowing customers to get a dumpster right away. Customers can also call ahead and have the dumpster removed the next day in most cases, meaning they don’t need to keep the dumpster for their entire contracted time. Customers will want to note that Redbox+ does keep a lot of information close to the chest, such as rental size options and lengths, though this could be a result of the somewhat user-unfriendly website. Also, the company doesn’t allow customers to dispose of any paint cans—empty or full. However, Redbox+’s convenient and responsive phone and online scheduling should provide answers to any questions a customer has.

Our Verdict

Folks looking for near-nationwide coverage, convenient scheduling, and flexible rental plans will want to give Waste Management some thought. However, those looking to save money by not paying for dumpster space they aren’t using will want to consider Junk King.

How We Chose the Best Dumpster Rental Companies

There were certain criteria we looked for when compiling our list of the best dumpster rental companies. First, we looked for companies with wide services areas, since we wanted the this list to be accessible to as many customers as possible. Also, we looked for clear and transparent pricing options, or at least the ability to get a quote quickly and easily without a commitment.

We also felt it was important to find companies that offered flexible schedules or several dumpster sizes. We felt that flexibility would remove much of the stress about ordering the correct size.

When we finally had the criteria necessary to choose the best dumpster rental companies, we performed extensive research to locate companies that fit the bill. We then gave those companies awards based on their strengths to make shopping for the best fit even easier.

Before You Use One of the Best Dumpster Rental Companies

Believe it or not, there are many things to know about before choosing a dumpster rental company.

Not everything can go in a dumpster. Full paint cans, concrete, some appliances, and even construction debris (in some cases) aren’t dumpster approved. Be sure to ask the company what can and can’t go in the dumpster.
Choosing a dumpster size can feel challenging. Know that the “yards” designation is a unit of volume; in this case, they’re cubic yards. So for these purposes, 1 yard is 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet (roughly the size of a recliner, give or take some height). The bigger 2-yard size is slightly larger than a standard refrigerator. Use these objects as very rough references when choosing a dumpster size.
Certain dumpsters are designed for specific materials. Dumpsters built for household waste are lighter duty than those made for construction materials. Certain dumpsters may be able to take yard waste like stumps and shrubs, while others will not. Customers will want to consider the material they’ll dispose of before committing to one type of dumpster.
Customers will want to note that renting a dumpster isn’t the only or easiest way to get rid of junk. There are services that homeowners can hire that will handle junk removal for them. Customers can compare the costs and features of each service to decide which makes the most sense.

Cost of Using One of the Best Dumpster Rental Companies

The average cost for renting a dumpster is around $380 per week, but the range a customer may expect to pay is between $290 and $480. However, there are a lot of factors that go into the cost of a dumpster. Rush deliveries or even rush pickups may cost extra in the way of service fees. Also, customers will want to note that if the dumpster weighs more than the predetermined limit, the customer is typically responsible for a set fee for each ton over the limit. Additionally, some companies may include the dumping fee in the quoted price while others may charge extra. And if the customer needs more time to fill the dumpster, they might be charged a rental extension fee.

The Advantages of Using One of the Best Dumpster Rental Companies

Renting a dumpster is actually much less work than piling multiple loads of junk into the bed of a truck, unloading it at the dump, and filling it back up to repeat the process all over again. Instead, customers simply fill the dumpster and call the rental company to handle it. This saves quite a bit of time and energy.

Also, renting a dumpster allows customers to avoid handling debris twice. They can simply remove the debris from the project area or home and throw it directly into the dumpster rather than piling it up on the driveway until they can take it to the dump.

Finally, most of the liability is on the dumpster rental company. The company can handle the stress of transporting that much weight and has vehicles designed to ensure everything stays in the dumpster during transport.

Renting a dumpster is faster and more convenient than taking truck loads to the dump.
Trash can go right into the dumpster rather than sitting in the driveway until the day the customer goes to the dump.
There’s less liability of debris flying from the vehicle and for transporting the weight of a dumpster’s worth of debris.

FAQs

With all that information, it might seem like everything is covered. However, there may still be some questions floating around. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions about dumpster rentals.

Q. What is a dumpster rental company?

Dumpster rental companies are entities that allow users to rent a dumpster for a prescribed amount of time. These companies have contracts with landfills and dumps, and will deliver the dumpster full of trash to the landfill for their customers.

Q. What is the average cost of a dumpster rental?

The average cost of renting a dumpster for a week is about $380. However, many factors can affect this price, such as the size of the dumpster and the weight of its contents.

Q. Who should use a rental dumpster?

Anyone with a medium to large project, such as a renovation, an outdoor construction project, or even a house cleanout, should consider a dumpster rental for their convenience.

Q. How long can you keep a roll-off dumpster rental?

This depends on the contractor with the dumpster rental company. Many companies will set up revolving, long-term contracts with their customers, allowing them to keep their dumpster service indefinitely.

Q. What items can be placed in a dumpster?

Many items can be placed in dumpsters, but there may also be some restrictions on what can’t go in a dumpster. Household debris, wood furniture, renovation debris, yard waste, dirt, and some appliances are acceptable for dumpster disposal. Customers will want to check with the company they rent a dumpster from for specific disposal restrictions.

Q. Do I need a permit to rent a dumpster?

Many municipalities do require homeowners to obtain permits for dumpsters. This is especially true if the dumpster will be on the street. However, permits may even be necessary for dumpsters in driveways. It’s a good idea for customers to check their local laws before reserving a dumpster.