Dumpster Rental Cost, Quality, Convenience… What’s Your Priority?

​You’ve heard the request a million times… “I want the highest quality at the lowest price by tomorrow.” “Get me the most bang for my buck, and quickly.” “Let’s immediately maximize our return on investment.” It’s one of those things that sounds great in theory, but is a task that is near impossible to execute. There are three factors that come into play here, that all directly affect one another—Fast, good, and cheap—but normally you can only focus on two at a time. For instance, if you demand immediate, high quality service, it will typically cost you a pretty penny. If you demand cheap-yet-high-quality service, it will likely take a long time to execute. If you demand service quickly and cheaply, the quality will probably be lacking. It seems as though there’s always something that has to suffer… But it doesn’t HAVE to be that way!

As in any project, arming yourself with the proper knowledge ahead of time can save you time and money. In this blog, I’d like to help you get a jump start on that by providing you some questions you should ask when you rent a dumpster from a waste disposal company.

Cost
First off, ask what their pricing is and what your payment options are for renting a construction dumpster. Don’t be afraid to ask for the initial quote online. Then, when you have a representative on the phone with you, as what is all included: Are the delivery and pick-up fees are separate from the base price of the waste container? How many tons are included in the price? Is there an additional cost per ton disposal? Know that rates will vary depending on location and competition.

Find out how many rental days are included in the price, and if there is a cost per day thereafter; 10-14 days is typical for a standard rental. And, if you have long-term projects, (especially in the off-season,) don’t be afraid to negotiate rental rates.

Better yet, ask them what their base price does NOT include, like fuel surcharges or environmental fees. Some of the bigger national waste management companies are notorious for these types of surcharges, so you need to watch out… Their billing systems can be very complex and the invoices are essentially illegible. I’ve seen some of these invoices, and I’m telling you, they rival hospital bills! (And when it is all said and done, remember to get an itemized receipt to double check it against your original agreement.)

Quality
Describe the work that you need to do and ask what your available options are. Don’t let the company upsell you on more than what you need. Having the right equipment for the job is important! Some companies will talk you into their one-size-fits-all solution. Others have smaller trucks that are more residential-friendly, meaning they can maneuver better in tighter places and get the container closer to your actual work, all with less risk of property damage. 

Many companies may not tell you upfront about what CAN’T be thrown in the dumpster, so be sure to ask. Common items that can’t be include things like tires, batteries, appliances, waste oil, hazardous chemicals, and electronics like computers and TVs. And ask about construction waste recycling! Established waste disposal companies should have the resources for recycling certain materials such as construction debris, roofing, metals, and more.

Convenience
Tell them exactly when and where you’d like to have the dumpster delivered, and ask if they can accommodate your request. Some companies only deliver on certain days of the week, so be aware of that. This industry’s “busy season” is usually from May to August, so it’s best to plan ahead; 7-10 days is typically a good enough lead time, but many customer-driven organizations will do what they can to accommodate even shorter notices.

After these questions have been answered, then it’s up to you to find a provider who will consistently deliver that high-quality service, rounding out the trifecta of a good business relationship. Really, the disposal companies should be asking YOU questions to better determine what YOUR needs are!  Do your due diligence and write down the information they provide so you can compare it to other companies... Don’t assume all waste disposal companies are the same!