How Long Can You Rent a Dumpster? Everything You Need to Know
Wasting money on a longer-than-needed rental can make you feel down in the dumps
The average dumpster rental is between five and 14 days.
Dumpster rental companies may charge daily, weekly, or monthly.
The rental length depends on your project, the dumpster size, the company’s inventory, and the total rental cost.
If you’re embarking on a home renovation project or a serious junk removal session, a rented dumpster can help you dispose of your waste more efficiently. However, you might wonder how long you can rent a dumpster for. The answer depends; a few days may suffice for a minor clean-up, but you might need a dumpster for several weeks for a large home remodel. This guide explains the most common dumpster rental periods and helps determine how long you’ll need to rent a dumpster.
Common Dumpster Rental Periods
Most dumpster rentals last between five and 14 days, though the exact time you can rent a dumpster may vary between local dumpster rental companies. Depending on the rental duration, you’ll most likely be charged daily, weekly, or monthly.
Daily
There are very few cases where you would need to rent a dumpster for a single day. However, you may need to rent one for three to five days for a minor home renovation. The dumpster rental company will likely charge you a daily rate in that case.
Weekly
Many dumpster rental companies offer weekly rentals for a set fee. Weekly rentals are more common for home improvement projects since more major work will take longer than a few days. Your chosen dumpster rental company may offer weekly rentals with a daily rate for each day you keep the dumpster after the first week.
Monthly
In some cases, you might need to rent a dumpster for a longer period. If that’s the case, look for companies that offer monthly dumpster rentals. For significant construction projects, your general contractor may arrange the dumpster rental themselves, so you don’t need to worry about keeping it for too long or paying for a longer rental than you need.
Dumpster Rental Length Factors
Once you know how to rent a dumpster, you’ll need to determine the type of dumpster you need and your desired rental length. The following factors will help you make your decision.
Project Scope
The main factor affecting your dumpster rental length is the project's scope. Larger renovation projects, like finishing your basement or remodeling your kitchen, can take several weeks or even a few months to complete. If your project is significant in scope, you’ll need to find a dumpster rental company that allows you to keep the dumpster long-term.
| Type of Project | Average Dumpster Rental Duration |
|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 4–8 weeks |
| Bathroom remodel | 2–6 weeks |
| Basement finishing | 4–8 weeks |
| Hardwood floor installation | 1–3 days |
| Deep house cleaning | 1–7 days |
Dumpster Size
The size of the dumpster also affects rental time. If you rent a small dumpster for a large project, you might need to have it picked up and emptied before you finish it. To avoid this, check that you rent the appropriate dumpster size for your home renovation project.
| Dumpster Size | Equivalent Number of Pickup Truck Loads | Types of Projects |
|---|---|---|
| 10 cubic yards | 7 loads | Small residential clean-up |
| 15 cubic yards | 11 loads | Carpet removal, small deck demolition, small to medium residential clean-up |
| 20 cubic yards | 15 loads | Bathroom or kitchen remodeling, medium-size deck demolition, medium residential clean-up projects |
| 30 cubic yards | 22 loads | Major home remodeling, large residential or construction clean-up |
| 40 cubic yards | 30 loads | Construction site clean-up, commercial clean-up, commercial trash service |
Rental Company Inventory
Depending on the demand for dumpster rental in your area, the rental company may restrict how long you can rent a dumpster to ensure they have enough inventory to serve a broader range of customers. If you need to rent the dumpster for a longer period, it’s best to book the rental ASAP to avoid inventory shortages.
Rental Cost
Ultimately, you might need to base your rental duration on your budget. Call around and get quotes from several dumpster rental companies to determine how much you’ll pay. If you can’t afford a longer rental, you might need to reset your project expectations and tackle it in small increments instead.
How Much Does Dumpster Rental Cost?
The average cost to rent a dumpster is $385 per week or a typical range of $300 to $450. The type of dumpster is the main factor that affects the total rental cost. A roll-off dumpster costs between $300 and $800 per week, while a small residential dumpster may only set you back $200 to $400. You’ll also pay more for a larger dumpster; a small 10-cubic-yard dumpster may only cost $225 per week, while a 40-cubic-yard dumpster could cost as much as $800 per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
With an average weekly dumpster rental cost of $385, you can expect to pay around $1,500 to rent a dumpster for one month. Your exact cost will depend on the size of the dumpster, the dumpster rental company’s prices, and the type of renovation project you’re tackling.
The most common dumpster rental size is 20 cubic yards. This size dumpster is ideal for various projects, from kitchen and bathroom renovations to hardwood floor replacements, and even small basement remodels. However, if you don’t need to rent a dumpster that large, you can usually rent a 10-cubic-yard dumpster for smaller projects.
Get our Angi-powered app
