Renting a dumpster is an excellent solution if you need to get rid of a lot of garbage. If this is your first time using a dumpster rental service, make sure you ask these seven questions to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

1. What Sizes Are Available?

First and foremost, you need to figure out if a rental company offers a dumpster size that fits your needs. Smaller dumpsters are common for restaurants and residential use. According to HomeGuide, you can fit five to six tons of trash in a 40-yard dumpster. You don't have to do extensive calculations to figure out exactly which dumpster size is right for your home or job site, but a rough estimate can help you figure out how much space you need to dispose of all your garbage.

2. What Materials Are Disposable?

Before you throw anything in your dumpster, make sure it's on the list of accepted materials. When you rent a dumpster, there are some items you can't throw away with the rest of your garbage, which often includes things like electronics and motor oil. If you need to dispose of items that your dumpster rental service doesn't accept, you may be able to take them to a recycling center.

3. Is There a Waiting Period?

If you need to get rid of unwanted items quickly, you'll need to ensure that you can secure your dumpster rental in a timely manner. While some rental services may be able to provide dumpsters as soon as the next day, others may require you to wait a bit. To ensure that everything stays on schedule, ask in advance about how soon a dumpster will be available to use.

4. Do You Handle Transportation?

When you're renting a large dumpster, you can usually expect it to be hauled to your house or job site. After all, most people can't haul a 40-yard dumpster on their own. With smaller six-yard dumpsters and even some slightly larger options, you should make sure you don't have to handle transportation on your own unless you have a way to haul it. Any reliable dumpster rental service will pick up and drop off your dumpster to save you time and effort on waste disposal.

5. What's the Average Cost?

Dumpster rental prices vary widely based on the specific company you're renting from, which dumpster size you choose, and what you're disposing of. That being said, you can usually get a quote before you rent a dumpster. Make sure you ask about pricing, including any additional fees that may apply to your rental. Bear in mind that you may need to pay extra costs based on your location, when you're renting, and your rental length.

6. How Long Is the Rental Length?

Most rental companies offer a standard rental length, which is how they set a price for their rental equipment. Dumpster rentals typically last for a week, which means you have to pay for four rental periods if you want a dumpster for a month. If you need your dumpster for less than a week, you'll still be paying roughly the same amount as a standard one-week rental. When you're budgeting for a dumpster rental service, make sure you include multiple fees if you need multiple weeks.

7. Do I Need a Permit?

Depending on the state you're in, you may need a permit to rent certain dumpsters. In many states, you need a permit for any dumpster that's larger than six cubic yards. The good news is that smaller dumpsters are sufficient for most residential use, and it's usually easy to get a permit if you're already working on a construction project and need a bigger dumpster.

You might expect renting a dumpster to require a lot of work, but as long as you take the right steps, the process is actually quite simple. Asking the right questions before you rent can help make everything go even more smoothly. If you're looking for a reliable dumpster rental service, give AAA Carting a call to learn more about our rental options. Our team has more than 30 years of experience, and you can rely on us to assist you with all your waste disposal needs. We look forward to working with you!