Selecting the best dumpster rental may seem like a simple process, after all, every dumpster looks pretty much the same. But it only takes a few conversations with disappointed renters to discover that choosing the wrong company can create a mountainous headache to go with your mountain of debris.
It is not unknown for understaffed companies to leave a full bin in a driveway for weeks, well after the date they promised to pick it up. If the garbage includes organic materials, this can cause problems with smell, flies and worse. If companies are not careful, a dumpster can leave holes in your driveway, and damage to your lawns and bushes.
Properly prepared, you might find the very first company you call satisfies all your needs. Let’s look at some basics.
what size of the dumpster will you need?
If this is your first time, you may not know for sure. Most professional companies will have a sizing chart on their website which will give you the cubic feet of space and/or it’s tonnage capacity, and also a general idea as to how that might fit into a real life situation. Don’t be too concerned; customer service should be able to guide you as to which size is best. Don’t rent a bigger dumpster than you need; that will just be a waste of money.
walk-in dumpster or closed dumpster?
This is a common mistake for first-time renters. The most common dumpsters are closed on all sides, and the customer has to throw the discarded items over the top of the sides. If you don’t have a big crew and are discarding items such as couches and refrigerators, you might find it difficult to use a bin that has 7 feet high walls.
A walk-in dumpster has two doors at one end which can be opened so you can carry the debris in. Once the dumpster is largely filled you can close the doors and continue to fill it by throwing the remaining items over the top.
Will a Bagster Bag do the job?
One of the recent innovations in the removal industry is a high strength bag that can often be bought from your local home renovation store and brought home in the trunk of your car. Unfolded in your driveway, these bags can handle up to 3000 pounds of waste. Once the bag is full simply call your dumpster company and ask them to pick it up.
Don’t forget; there are two charges, not just one
Dumpster rentals include two separate fees. One for delivery and pick up of the bin, and the second charge for disposal of the waste. Municipal dumps charge the dumpster companies per ton to accept the debris, and these charges are passed on to you. By using a bag, you can eliminate most of the first charge. So if you have a relatively small job, you might find a Bagster Bag to be perfect for you.
So what company to choose
Naturally, the first concern in selecting the best dumpster rental should be a track record. Testimonials from real customers and many years of service demonstrate that a company knows what they’re doing and will deliver on their promises. If you are unsure, always ask for references.
Dumpsters are often rented for several weeks at a time if you are working on our renovation. This may expose you to liabilities. It is a good idea to discuss what insurance the company has.
Get it in writing
Dumpsters can also cause damage to your driveway if the company is not careful with pickup and delivery. Make sure your company has a written guarantee to repair any damage. Reputable companies will provide protection for your driveway such as plywood sheets to distribute the weight and reduce the likelihood the dumpster will leave holes.
Many dumpster companies have entire divisions focused on Green waste management and recycling. If this is important to you then supporting this type of company makes sense.
And last but not least the staff you are dealing with should be friendly, polite and show a willingness to provide extra information and advice. If you don’t like the people you’re talking to don’t hire them, call the next people on your list.