How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Dumpster for My Project?

Normal range: $293 - $479

Renting a dumpster costs $381 per week on average, but prices range from $293 to $479, depending on the size and type.

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Ginny Bartolone
Written by Ginny Bartolone
Updated December 8, 2022
A big black dumpster in the driveway of a house
Photo: ALAN / Adobe Stock

Whether doing extensive home renovations or cleaning up yard waste, it’s easy for junk to pile up until you wonder how much it costs to rent a dumpster. Renting a dumpster will run you about $381 per week so you can streamline the junk removal process. You’ll pay as little as $75 a week for small dumpsters and up to $800 for commercial-sized dumpsters to handle your big DIY renovation project. Use this guide to learn how much your rental will cost, the different dumpster types available, and tips to help you save.

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How we get this data
Normal range for U.S.
$293 - $479
  • Average
  • $381
  • Low end
  • $200
  • high end
  • $800
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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.

4 types of dumpsters compared by cost, with roll-off dumpsters ranging $200 to $800

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 SizesPrice 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 SizesPrice 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

An loaded green dumpster with materials from a construction site
Photo: studioportosabbia / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

An empty 10-yard dumpster weighs about 3,500 pounds. Most dumpster companies estimate that a 10-yard dumpster can fit between 2 and 3 tons of material when full. These numbers are critical to keep in mind when determining the best dumpster for your project, where to park your dumpster for the week, and whether it’s allowed on local roads or sidewalks when empty and full.

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