Remodeling and avoiding simple mistakes
As the remodeling index has just hit a five year high and reports show that homeowners are staying put, one of the money drains and disasters in waiting that many know little about is the easily overlooked dumpster rental.
Joe Eitel at Hometown Dumpster Rental shared with us five ways homeowners or even new repair crews can make major mistakes when renting dumpsters, and real estate industry professionals should be prepared to guide clients in this increasingly common activity in the American home:
5. Failing to Price Shop
Dumpster rental prices can vary significantly between rental companies, so it’s important to call at least two different dumpster rental companies to get a better idea of whether or not you’re getting a good deal. In many cases, you can save $50 to $100 or more by taking an extra five minutes to price compare.
4. Not Clearing Enough Space for the Dumpster
We all know roll off dumpsters are big, but some homeowners fail to grasp that concept. Dumpster rental companies prefer to drop off the containers on relatively level concrete or other hard surface. So, make sure to clear enough space in your driveway to accommodate containers up to about 22 feet long and eight feet wide (approximate dimensions of a 40 yard container).
3. Filling Dumpsters with Prohibited Items
You can’t just throw anything into a rented dumpster. Prohibited items include things like batteries, appliances with Freon, gas/oil or other flammables. Most rental companies also have policies about separating certain materials into its own individual containers, such as concrete.
2. Overfilling
Even though roll off dumpsters arrive at your home without a top lid, the rental company covers the top of the dumpster when picking it up to prevent spillage. For this reason, many rental companies prefer customers fill the container no more than three-fourths of the way full. Some companies actually require this.
1. Choosing the Wrong Sized Container
It’s hard to visualize or predict exactly how much “dumpster” you actually need for a project. Dumpster sizes primarily come in 10, 20, 30 or 40 yard varieties. For reference, a 10-yard dumpster may be adequate for a garage cleanout while a 40-yard container is a better choice for new construction or commercial roof replacement. When in doubt, choose a bigger size. Overage charges do apply when filling the container beyond the weight limit, so paying a little extra for a bigger container may save you money in the long run.
Kendall Everett
July 6, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Having enough space for the dumpster to be placed on a hard surface is important. Like you mentioned, planning ahead is a good way to ensure it will fit. If possible, checking with the city to see if you can get a permit to park it in the street may also help.