There are many things to consider when it comes to renting a dumpster. From how much space you need to how far away from your home you’ll want it, the details can seem overwhelming at first. With the right preparation and planning, however, your dumpster rental delivery should be easy and stress-free. Before you order that dumpster, check out these five tips on how to prepare for dumpster rental delivery to ensure that everything goes smoothly from start to finish.
1) Give Yourself Plenty of Time
Ordering a dumpster rental takes time. There’s ordering it, picking it up, and putting it on your property. You might think you can handle that all at once but you can’t. Give yourself plenty of time so you don’t have to worry about things running behind schedule or having a dumpster that’s too small because you didn’t check out sizes ahead of time. Also make sure you call far enough in advance so they can get an accurate delivery date on your contract with them.
2) Ready Your Home Area
A clean and empty space is the number one thing you can do to ensure your dumpster rental runs smoothly. If you have junk in the way, now is the time to move it out of the way so that when the delivery driver arrives he or she will be able to get close enough to the receptacle area to deliver your dumpster easily. Be sure there are no potholes, dips, curbs or anything else on your property that might cause damage either in transit or after it has been delivered. Even if it’s not a huge problem, just a little obstacle could cost you money—and a lot of time lost on contacting the company and sorting things out.
3) Gather Supplies
To prepare for a dumpster rental delivery, gather trash bags and gloves. Most companies don’t charge extra for them (though it’s worth double-checking), but you can save yourself a trip to the store by having them on hand when your roll off arrives. Having plenty of bags will also make it easier to stay organized, as you’ll have a place for each load you create. You’ll also want some old towels or rags that are soft, so you can use them as liners in your dumpster bin. This will keep dirt from spilling out while trash is being loaded into your rental unit, and they’ll allow excess water or dirt trapped in paper products (like boxes) to be easily tossed in without getting everything else wet.
4) Have A Plan For Trash
If you don’t know what it is you’re throwing away, do a little bit of research before hiring your dumpster rental company. Ask yourself: What needs to be thrown out? Where will all of these materials end up? If anything looks like construction debris or otherwise hazardous waste, you might need special permits to dispose of it in an approved manner. Do some homework and ask a few questions if there are any red flags. This way, you can get rid of your junk legally and professionally!
5) Don’t Pack the Container Too Full
This is a tip that may sound obvious, but it’s easy to ignore. If you fill up your dumpster beyond capacity, you could have problems with sanitation and public health. A common rule of thumb among professionals is about 50 pounds per cubic yard or three feet of waste for every 10 square feet of container space—that’s a good starting point to make sure your rental will be picked up as scheduled. It’s also important to not overfill more than one dumpster at a time. Always leave enough room in between containers so that they can all be loaded easily without too much effort.
6) Get The Right Bin For The Job
If you’re just starting out with dumpster rental, it’s a good idea to have an idea of what size will best suit your needs. Typically, 10-yard bins are recommended if you only have a small amount of debris (less than 1,000 pounds). Larger 20 and 30-yard containers are typically used for large residential projects or commercial business cleanouts. If you aren’t sure what size would work best, contact us today and we can recommend a container based on your project’s needs. This way you won’t be stuck with an overpriced bin or a bin that is too small.
7) Mark Off Hazards
Use masking tape to mark off any hazards on your driveway, such as oil stains. If you’re concerned about your trash removal service damaging your fence or landscaping while they unload, place plastic on those areas as well. This will help to minimize damage and speed up cleanup time when they leave. If you do choose to rent a dumpster, be sure it’s placed on an even surface (or level ground) so that it doesn’t tip over when filled. Be sure to protect nearby trees or shrubs from debris by placing plywood underneath where needed. And be sure that no one parks next to or behind your rental unit during loading and unloading days.