6 Ways To Save Money When Renting A Roll-Off

Renting a roll-off is a great way to take care of trash that may not fit in the average dumpster or when you need to dispose of a lot of waste at one time. Before you call your local roll-off rental company, be sure to check out the list below for six ways that you can save some extra money on your dumpster.

Work with a reliable company

As with many things in life, working with a reliable person and/or company can save you time and money. If the company you choose ends up being undependable you may end up with a dumpster that won’t be picked at the correct time, or even worse, no dumpster at all.  When selecting a roll-off company you should consider:

Roll-Off Dumpster Rentals by Affordable Roll-Offs

  • Reviews on the company
  • Ask for referrals from people who have already rented a dumpster. They can tell you firsthand what their experience was like.
  • Look at the company’s website (if they have one). You can usually get a good idea of how professional a company is based off of their website.
  • Shop around. Don’t just go with the first roll-off company you find. Taking the time to do some research can save you from unnecessary headaches.

Most importantly, follow your gut. If you don’t feel comfortable after speaking with the company, it probably is not the right fit for you. Remember, you are in control of which company you choose!

Check for hidden fees

A great way to save money when renting a roll-off dumpster is to do your research and check for hidden fees that may be hidden under a great price. These fees are a sneaky way for companies to charge you additional money as an unpleasant surprise at the end of your rental period. Hidden fees may include:

  • Fuel charges
  • Travel charges
  • Environmental fees

The best way to avoid hidden fees is to work with a roll-off company that offers 100 percent transparency of their prices. It is also a good idea to look for words like “flat rate” or “final total” when it comes to the price of your roll-off.

Don’t go over your weight limit

Something simple that you can do to save some cash when renting a roll-off is to make sure you are not going over the designated weight limit. The weight limit will depend on the size of the roll-off, so be sure to ask the company about the specifications on each. Obviously, companies do not expect you to know exactly how much your trash will weigh, but it is a good idea to get a sense of what materials will add up quickly when doing a project:

  • Heavy materials: Sand, concrete, topsoil, liquid, stone, gravel
  • Lighter materials: Yard waste, some appliances, household trash, wood chips
  • For more in-depth information, check out the table below

Typically, if you go over your designated weight limit you will be charged a fee no matter which company you choose. If you are uneasy about the amount of debris that will be going into the roll-off, work with the company to see if it makes sense to increase your dumpster size or get additional dumpsters for your project.

Be aware of drop off time and location

Another easy way to save money when renting a roll-off is to be at the location your dumpster will be dropped off. Unfortunately, most roll-off companies will not be able to tell you the exact time that the dumpster will arrive, but they may be able to give you an estimation. Although this can be frustrating, if you are not at the drop off location and the dumpster is placed incorrectly it may cost you additional money to have it relocated. This why it is super important to be as clear as possible when setting up your rental about the desired location.

For example:

  • “Place dumpster on the driveway” is not a good description of a location.
  • “When looking at the house from the street, place the dumpster on the right side of the driveway” is a better description of a location.

If possible, it is always best to be on site or have someone on site with clear directions for the dumpster. Although instructions may seem clear, there is human error to be considered and it is better to have the dumpster placed correctly the first time than to have a truck come out a second time to move it.

Get the correct dumpster size

Choosing a dumpster that is too large (or too small!) can end up costing you more money. In general, as the dumpster sizes increase, so do the prices. It is important to work with the roll-off company and make sure that you are getting the correct size dumpster for the task at hand. If you are doing some yard work around your home, you probably don’t need a 40-yard dumpster to complete the job. However, if you are completely remodeling your front and back yards, a larger dumpster might make sense. Try and be as specific as possible about what you are trying to accomplish when talking to the roll-off company so that they can recommend the perfect size for your job!

Check your community’s permits and policies

Finally, an important step that is often forgotten about before renting a dumpster is to check with your local government to see if you need to apply for a permit. If you are planning on parking your dumpster on the street or in a back alley, you almost always need some sort of permit to do so. If you do not obtain a permit before renting your dumpster you will likely face a hefty fee. It is important to note that the majority of roll-off rental companies do not take on the responsibility of checking for proper permits, so be sure to do some research before you order a dumpster!