Understanding Terms and Conditions

It is important to understand the details of the terms and conditions of a rental agreement before renting a dumpster. Understanding the terms and conditions with help you avoid additional charges and surprises on your bill. Read our tips to become more informed and ready to rent a dumpster.

Weight Allowances

When renting a dumpster, you are typically given a weight limit from the dumpster company. This “weight allowance” has two main reasons why rental companies have them.

Trucks can only handle so much weight. If the dumpster is exceeding the limit, it can damage the truck and cause unsafe driving conditions.

When you dump at a landfill. You are typically charged by the ton, so to sustain their business, rental companies need to set weight limits on each load.

Each company will have their own weight allowance ranging from 1 to 8 tons or even more. Some companies will offer unlimited weight allowances, but you have to make sure you are following other guidelines such has the specific height limit, and to not exceed the top rim of the dumpster.

When loading heavy debris like concrete, rocks, dirt or even roofing shingles, it is important to not exceed the weight limit. Most dumpsters have a fill line that helps you stay within the weight limit.

What will Happen when you Overfill the Dumpster?

Most dumpsters will have separate lines for construction debris and for household junk if you exceed those lines, the dumpster companies have the right to remove some of the load or in some instances, all of it. Customers are responsible for unloading the material until the load is compliant with the rental policy.

When dumpsters are filled to the brim and they exceed the top, by law, the company cannot haul the dumpster. Also the company has to put a top over the load, and if the cant, they would have to remove material from the top in order to fit the tarp.

If the dumpster pickup driver comes to pick up the load, and you are not there. The driver may remove some debris and place it on site in order to comply with the local rules and regulations. The debris left on site would be your responsibility, and you would have to dispose of them. Also the driver may not pick up the dumpster, and you would be charged for the trip.

Duration of Rental

In the terms and conditions, it will tell you how long the duration of the rental should last. Usually rental agreements are about 7 to 10 days in length.

If you wish to you can request to extend or shorten the days. Typically, there is a daily fee when you extend the rental period. If you wish to have to have the dumpster picked up earlier, you can call the rental company and request for an early pickup. If there is a driver available, they should be able to accommodate your request. But if there is no driver available, then you may have to wait, so its best to plan ahead.

Early Pickup

If you wish to end the rental and have the dumpster picked up early, you can call the dumpster company for early pickup. With early pickups, you do not receive early discounts for ending agreements early. When you call for an early pick up, there is no guarantee that the dumpster company would be able to pick up the dumpster that day. It depends on their availability of drivers who can go to your location for pickup.

The Driver can’t Pick up the Dumpster?

A truck driver may not be able to pick up the dumpster for many reasons, below are the three most common reasons why.

The dumpster is overfilled and/or too heavy. The dumpster trucks capacity for lifting and carrying. If your load exceeds that amount, the driver will leave the dumpster where it is.

There is hazardous materials or mixed wastes in the dumpster. Chemicals and flammable wastes are typically not allowed to easily be dumped. It can be unsafe for the driver and for the environment . When you mix trash and debris into a clean-loaded dumpster it could result in the driver not hauling away the dumpster from the job site.

Driver cant access the dumpster. If there is a car is in the way, the dumpster wont be able to be picked up. Be sure to allow the driver to have ample space to attach the truck.

All these reasons can become very expensive for the customer. If the the driver doesn’t haul away the dumpster, the customer is typically still charged a “trip fee” for driving out to the site. This fee covers the time and fuel needed in the pick-up. These fees can vary, but you can expect to pay in between $75 to $150 each time a driver comes out for a pickup.

How to Avoid Trip Fees

We have come up with a few tips to help avoid those trip charges or to resolve any issues so that your driver can haul the dumpster problem free.

Make sure the dumpster debris are loaded below the top of the dumpster. Most cities will require this for safety during the transport of the dumpster.

Don’t mix trash with other wastes in with clean-loaded dumpsters. If trash did somehow get in, remove it.

Remove any hazardous wastes that may have gotten mixed into the dumpster.

If the dumpster can’t be lifted due to it`s weight, remove some of the debris to ensure the weight is under the limit.

Fees may be Based on your Location.

In most cases, you may be charged a “distance fees”. They cover the fuel costs and the drivers time to get to your location. Typically, these fees are included into your initial quote. These fees may not apply to you if your site is close to the rental company.

When you choose a dumpster rental company that is close to your home or job site, you may be able to lessen or remove distance fees and save some money on the rental. You should get quotes from a few dumpster companies to get the best price.

What’s Included in a Quote?

Fees for your dumpster rental are not always set in stone. Dumpster quotes will typically include delivery, pickup, disposal and rental duration, which is usually seven or 10 days. There are some other fees that are not always shown in the quoted price:

  • Taxes
  • Additional rental days.
  • Going over the rental duration.
  • Hazardous material fee
  • Trip charge
  • City permits

These charges will not apply every time, you will not be charged for a permit fee if one isn’t required.

Things you can`t Throw Away.

Depending on your cities laws and regulations on waste, most rental companies cannot and will not legally remove hazardous chemicals, liquids, flammable/explosive wastes and other hazardous materials. Here’s a list of examples.

  • Paint
  • Car fluids
  • Asbestos debris
  • Herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides
  • Batteries

Appliances containing Freon like fridges, freezers, or air conditioners.

Some companies may be able to take some of these hazardous items for an additional fee if you they are separated from the rest of the load.

If the company finds any material while dumping, there may be some additional charges.

When do I need a Dumpster Permit?

If you place a dumpster on the side of a city street, or at any public place, you may be required to have a permit to keep the dumpster there. If you are placing the dumpster on private property, you typically no not need a permit.

It is the customers responsibility to obtain any necessary permits. If you are having trouble, most dumpster rental companies are glad to help you obtain one. To get more information you can contact your local city government or visit its website. When you are obtaining a permit, it is generally required for you to fill out a short application and paying a fee.

What is a “Move Fee”?

There may be instances when you place a dumpster in one location but have to move it to another. The dumpster may be moved to a new location for a move fee. The move fee is going to be similar to the trip fee, and it will be added to your bill. This fee, just like the trip fee is vary by your location. Expect to pay anywhere between $50 to $150.

Please be aware, that there may be cases where the dumpster may need to be moved from a public location without getting a permit from the city. Ultimately it is the customers responsibility to retrieve any permits needed to place the dumpster on public property. If you need help, ask your dumpster company, and they will often help customers obtain the permit.

Property Damage

When there is damage to the customers property, dumpster rental companies are usually not responsible. Although they may have insurance for damages, the rental agreement may state that the rental company is not responsible. As the customer, it’s best to read the fine print on the rental agreement.

To prevent damage, some rental companies will place boards beneath the dumpster. Other companies will do so only if you request it, so doesn’t hurt to ask.

TIP: If your driveway or yard is a major concern, you can find a trailer-style dumpster that is on rubber wheels rather than the traditional steel wheels.
Rain or Snow Refunds.

Rain and snow can soak into the debris, and junk in the dumpster, making it heavier than normal. This will add to the total weight of the load and could potentially increase the cost of the rental. The two cases where rain and snow would impact the cost of the dumpster rental includes:

The rental fee is based on the total weight of the load rather than a flat-rate fee.

The weight of the load exceeds the weight allowance.
The additional weight resulting from rain or snow are not the dumpster rental companies responsibility. The weight will cause the company to pay extra dump fees at the landfill, so they pass on the cost to the customer.

TIP: If it does rain or snow, you can place a tarp, plastic sheet or plywood over the dumpster to reduce the amount of water entering the dumpster.
Final thoughts

It isn’t difficult to rent a roll off dumpster, but please make sure to review and follow the rental companies terms to avoid any surprises.. The tips and information that we outlined above is a basic outline of common rental terms. The terms may differ from company to company.

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