Dumpster Rental Cost Factors
Dumpster companies are used to working with both homeowners and commercial clients that approach them with a wide range of needs. Everything from the length of your rental to the type of debris tossed in the trash can sway the price.
Type of Dumpster Rental Service
Before ordering a standard roll-off dumpster fit for a large home renovation, take a look at all the types of dumpster rentals available. You may benefit from a company that provides dumpster bags or simply hauls the junk pile away for you. Whenever you're in doubt, call your prospective dumpster rental company to explain your project to ensure you choose the best fit.
Roll-Off Dumpster
A roll-off dumpster costs $200 to $800 per week on average. These long dumpsters are the most commonly used type, offering a large capacity, short walls, a side or end door, and an open top. These are ideal for large, heavy construction debris, including wood, siding, drywall, yard waste, carpeting, wire, foam, flooring, roofing, and small appliances.
Residential or Trash Dumpster
A small residential (or trash) dumpster costs $100 to $300 per week. Trash dumpsters have smaller openings, making them ideal for home improvement projects like tearing out a single wall or scrapping some flooring material.
Dumpster Bag
Purchase this dumpster alternative at your local hardware store for $30, then have it picked up by your local waste management company for a one-time, flat rate of $100 to $180. These bags come collapsed, and you can set them up in your driveway. Fill them with up to 3,300 pounds or three cubic yards of debris, such as drywall or plywood sheets, tiling, and trash bags.
Junk Removal Service
For an average of $150 to $400, you can also forgo placing a dumpster in front of your house and hire a junk or trash hauling service. They typically won’t haul major construction debris, but they will pick up a pile of used furniture or similar items. All you have to do is pile your junk in one spot and call the pickup service.
Size
Dumpster sizes typically break down between small residential dumpsters and large roll-off dumpsters. Companies will often denote their size in cubic yard capacity and the maximum weight it can hold in pounds or tons.
The smaller dumpsters—such as those that can hold as little as two cubic yards—look a bit like the dumpsters you'd find in the alley behind a small business. They are ideal for simple home renovation projects like ripping up bathroom tile or clearing out a messy garden in the spring.
Consider renting larger dumpsters when you need them to hold literal tons of materials. Removing the rock retaining wall from the backyard or replacing your marble countertops? Opt for the larger dumpster options.
We'll break down the price of a dumpster rental by size below.
Rental Company Type
National dumpster rental chains will charge anywhere from the standard $300 to $800 a week for rentals, but you can save a bit of money by working with a small local brand. Local companies typically charge less due to the ease of pickup and delivery and lower overhead costs. However, remember that national chains often have access to more dumpster options, which can be helpful if you need one in a hurry or during a busy season.
You may also encounter dumpster brokerage companies that act as a go-between for local dumpster management. As is often the case, you'll pay a bit more for the convenience, but you’ll also maintain peace of mind that your project will run on schedule.
Duration of Rental
While the cost of delivering, picking up, and emptying a dumpster usually prohibits companies from offering cheaper daily rates, you may pay a lower rate for long-term rentals. The average weekly rate is $350 to $550, while the average monthly rate is only $500 to $1,200.
Permits
Even if you have all of the permits you need for a construction project, they don’t always cover the use of a dumpster. You may have to obtain a separate dumpster permit, which can run $10 to $100. Check with your municipal building department for more details.
Location
Where you live can affect your dumpster rental cost. While you may not see significant differences, certain locations will have higher prices than others.
Debris Type
The type of debris you’re disposing of can have an impact on your cost. Some dumpster rental companies will have different rates for construction debris, yard waste, and general refuse.
Weight
Again, a dumpster company will specify how many pounds or tons each container can safely hold. For example, a two cubic yard dumpster can hold about 400 pounds and costs between $75 and $125 per week. On the other end, a large roll-off dumpster has a 40-cubic-yard capacity and can hold between five and six tons, costing you up to $800 each week. It's important to work with your dumpster company to estimate the weight of your project's debris to avoid overfill fees of about $200 or exceeding the limit accepted by your local landfill.
Average Price to Rent a Dumpster by Size
Dumpsters of all types come in various size options. Here’s a breakdown of weekly dumpster rental rates by size.
| Small Dumpster Sizes | Price Range (Per Week) |
|---|---|
| 2 cubic yards (400 lbs.) | $75 – $125 |
| 3 cubic yards (600 lbs.) | $100 – $175 |
| 4 cubic yards (800 lbs.) | $125 – $200 |
| 5 cubic yards (1,000 lbs.) | $150 – $225 |
| 6 cubic yards (1,200 lbs.) | $200 – $275 |
| 8 cubic yards (1,400 lbs.) | $225 – $300 |
2- to 8-Cubic-Yard Dumpsters
A dumpster that’s between two and eight cubic yards can run anywhere from $75 to $200. This size works best for small cleanup jobs, hauling smaller amounts of brick or concrete, or hauling away dirt.
| Large Dumpster Sizes | Price Range (Per Week) |
|---|---|
| 10 cubic yards (2 – 3 tons) | $200 – $575 |
| 15 cubic yards (2 – 3 tons) | $250 – $650 |
| 20 cubic yards (3 – 4 tons) | $275 – $700 |
| 30 cubic yards (4 – 5 tons) | $300 – $725 |
| 40 cubic yards (5 – 6 tons) | $350 – $800 |
10-Cubic-Yard Dumpsters
10-yard dumpsters usually cost between $225 to $450. These are suitable for medium-sized cleanup jobs, small renovation projects (like kitchen cabinets or a half-bath), and medium loads of dirt, concrete, or brick.
15-Cubic-Yard Dumpsters
Renting a 15-yard dumpster typically falls between $240 and $650. This dumpster size is suitable for demolishing a small porch or patio, remodeling a small kitchen or bathroom, removing siding, or loading up to 1,500 square feet of roof shingles.
20-Cubic-Yard Dumpsters
A 20-yard dumpster usually goes for around $250 to $650. This size is well-suited for medium to large landscaping or remodeling jobs, deck removal, and small whole-home cleanouts.
30-Cubic-Yard Dumpsters
The cost to rent a 30-yard dumpster is typically between $275 to $700. This size can hold around nine pickup truck loads of debris and is ideal for larger landscaping and whole-home cleanouts, as well as major renovation projects.
40-Cubic-Yard Dumpsters
Renting a 40-yard dumpster usually goes for $300 to $725. This size is suitable for extra-large remodeling or whole-home cleanout jobs and major roofing projects.
Additional Dumpster Rental Cost Factors
Several factors influence the final cost of renting a dumpster—some of these costs are included in the rental cost, while other expenses are separate. Here are the major cost factors for a dumpster rental:
Dumpster Fees
A rental company has to pay dump fees when they haul away your dumpster, and these are usually included in your rental cost. However, they may charge you extra for your dumpster in the following situations:
Overtime: Late fees tend to be $5–$10 per day.
Overloading: Talk to the company about arranging multiple pick-ups to avoid overload fees of $40–$100 per ton.
Hazardous waste disposal: You likely can’t dispose of hazardous waste in a dumpster, but your company may have a hazardous waste service for a separate fee.
Trip Fee
Along with standard rates, some companies will also charge a flat trip fee for every visit. This is one case where it’s especially helpful to select the right size of dumpster, as multiple trips can equate to higher expenses.
Flat Rate vs. Variable Rate
Certain dumpster rentals offer a flat rate that includes pickup, rental, fees, and other expenses. These will typically have set guidelines for the weight and type of debris. Variable rates will charge separately for these items, which may end up being more or less.
Landfill Fees
The cost to leave junk at a landfill is known as a landfill or tipping fee. Fees will range on average from $20 to $50 per ton but vary by state and landfill regulations. In many cases, dumpster rental companies will already work the amount into your rate, but in others, you may have to pay the extra cost after they weigh your dumpster and assess specific fees.
Cost of Renting a Dumpster vs. Hiring a Junk Removal Service
Professional junk removal costs an average of $240 depending on the size and type of items you need taken away. Compared to the average price of $380 per week to rent a dumpster, you can actually save a bit of money by calling local junk hauling pros.
It's rare that the DIY option—in this case, renting a dumpster—comes out to be more than hiring a professional. The difference here comes down to convenience. When renting a dumpster, you'll have more time to fill it on your own as your project gets underway. Junk haulers, however, will stop by and pick everything up at once.
While hiring a crew is the better option when hauling heavy or hazardous materials, you have more flexibility when you hang on to the dumpster for a week or more.
Tips to Reduce the Cost of a Dumpster Rental
If you’re renting a dumpster, it's often because you’re in the middle of another, more expensive project. With that in mind, here are some tips to save on your dumpster rental price:
Choose the right size: Calculate the amount of debris you’ll be disposing of and consult with your rental company to choose the right size. This helps you avoid overpaying for a larger size, as well as overage fees for a dumpster that’s too small for the job.
Shop around: Get quotes from multiple companies to find a reputable dumper rental service and the best deal.
Ask about discounts: Your dumpster rental company may offer military, senior, and first responder discounts.
Ask for a short-term rental: While many companies charge by the week, ask if they have a cheaper daily rate if you think you can get your project done in a day or two.
