How to Avoiding Extra Fees on Your Dumpster Rental
When it comes to clearing out junk and debris of a residential or commercial nature, everyone handles it differently. Some prefer to pay a premium to have a junk removal company come and haul everything away, while others prefer to rent a dumpster and do all the heavy lifting themselves. Some people care about ensuring every bit of waste is recycled, while others couldn’t care less if it’s all dumped. Regardless of who is responsible for throwing the refuse into the dumpster, it’s usually a company that transports the waste to a dump or recycling center.
If you are anything like most other people, you’ll probably do the heavy lifting yourself or with some friends and colleagues. Whether you need to clean out your garage or attic, or your worksite needs to dispose of lots of garbage and debris, a dumpster rental is probably the best way to save time and money.
That is of course if you do your homework and ensure you rent your dumpster from a reliable dumpster rental company with transparent pricing. Dumpster rental companies are just the delivery boys. They pass on their costs for dumping your waste to you.
While it is completely normal to go a little over your weight estimates when working on a construction or renovation project, there are many things you, the client, should know to avoid excess fees – even from the most trusted and reliable companies.
That’s okay though. Avoiding excess fees is easy. You just need to be aware of what they are. If you heed the following advice when you seek out a dumpster rental service provider, you are far more likely to pay only the price you were quoted.
How to Avoiding Extra Fees on Your Dumpster Rental
Cleaning out your home or taking on a renovation project can be costly, and you don’t want to add to your expenses by paying extra fees on your dumpster rental. Here are some ways that you can avoid these extra fees when you rent a dumpster bin:
Listen to acceptable usage policies. Dumpster rental companies must follow strict rules and regulations not only by the dumps and processing centers but also by all levels of government. Most are unable to handle food or toxic/ hazardous waste of any kind. Furthermore, some companies, like Fleetwood Waste, partner with private companies to recycle as much waste as possible.
Every bin rental company has policies outlining exactly what you can and can’t put in their bins. Should you break these policies, you may not only end up with a nasty bill, but law enforcement tickets or, depending on the severity of the issue, legal action. Acceptable usage policies cover:
- Unacceptable waste guidelines;
- Whether specific kinds of waste can be mixed together; and
- Whether you can load the bin with special equipment like a backhoe.
Estimate your weight requirements or get professional advice. While it is true that every project is different, most projects have similar requirements. If you don’t know how to properly estimate the amount of trash and debris you have, ask your dumpster rental company what they recommend. They will help you get exactly what you need to avoid excess fees.
Companies like Fleetwood Waste have been around for many years and have seen just about every kind of project. They are happy to help you find the best dumpster(s) to suit your needs. The alternative of getting the wrong size dumpster can be quite costly and can result in multiple rentals or excess weight fees.
Protect your dumpster. Like any other piece of industrial equipment, dumpster rentals are designed to withstand the toughest of conditions. That doesn’t mean you have nothing to worry about. You are, after all, renting it. You are responsible to ensure it’s not damaged beyond what is considered ordinary wear and tear. Do not load it with special equipment if you aren’t permitted to, and don’t leave it in areas it’s expected to rust. In short, protect it. Use it the way it’s intended to be used and return it when you are done.
Recycle where possible and avoid mixed waste. More often than not, dumpster rentals are used to dispose of specific kinds of waste (also called aggregates). Doing so ensures the waste is treated as recycling. Just as you wouldn’t put plastic in with cardboard and paper in your residential blue bins, you shouldn’t put unnecessary mixed waste in with your aggregates.
If for example, you start throwing household waste in with a bin full of metal debris, your load may no longer be treated as recycling, but as mixed-waste, which is far more expensive to process. While it’s very tempting to get a large bin and throw everything in it, sometimes, it’s best to get a couple of small bins and separate your waste into aggregates.
Ensure the drop-off and pickup-site is clean and accessible. Make sure nothing is obstructing the drivers from doing their job. Remove obstructing branches and cars, and make sure gates are either open or that you have provided a key. If your bin can’t be delivered because of an obstruction, you could face additional fees.
Schedule your bin for pickup when it is full. Most dumpster rental companies require you to schedule your pickup. They assume that if you don’t schedule it, you are still loading it even if your rental period has gone over your completion date. Once the dumpster bin is full, you should call your rental company to have it collected.
Conclusion
Avoiding unnecessary dumpster rental fees is generally pretty easy. If you just plan, treat your equipment with respect, and adhere to your dumpster rental service providers’ guidelines, you shouldn’t run into any issues regardless of who you go with.
