If you have a home remodeling endeavor, yard renovation, or a general house and garden purge on your agenda, you've probably developed a pretty good plan on how you're going to proceed with the project. However, one thing that many people fail to properly prepare for is the dumpster that will be necessary to hold waste generated by the activity. If you're like most people, you probably know that roll-off dumpsters are available for rent and that companies will drop them off and pick them up again at a predetermined time. However, there is much more to the dumpster selection process than simply making a call and having one delivered. Following are several basic things that you need to know in order to make your upcoming project go as smoothly as possible.
Selecting the Right Size
Dumpsters come in several different sizes, and choosing the one that best meets your individual needs can be tricky. If you get one that's too small for the job, you run the risk of the garbage company refusing to pick it up. If it's too large, you've wasted money that probably could have been put to better use—dumpsters typically run from between $150 to $800, so with that big of a price gap, it makes sense to get the smallest that will still work for the job at hand. You could always wait until the project has ended and measure the waste, but this isn't a practical move for the majority of projects. Try the following strategies:
- Ask friends, neighbors, and acquaintances who've done similar projects what size of dumpster worked for them.
- Ask one of your local contractors for advice if you're doing a home remodeling job—they've got estimating dumpster sizes down to a science.
- If you're doing a yard job, ask your local landscaper what size dumpster they'd recommend.
- Ask the dumpster rental company to help you with an estimate.
It's also recommended that you check for any applicable HOA or city or county code enforcement regulations—some only allow dumpsters of a certain size to be placed where they're in full view from the street, for instance, Also, there may be restrictions on where the dumpsters can be placed. Many areas don't allow them to be placed curbside or in driveways, so you may have to figure out another part of your property. This can cause a conundrum because dumpsters need to be placed on level ground. Always be sure to obtain a list from any local jurisdictions concerning restrictions on dumpster usage before making your final decision on a dumpster.
Hazardous Waste Restrictions
One restriction you can virtually count on no matter what part of the country you live in is that there will be certain items you'll be prohibited from disposing of via your rented dumpster. Your local city or county authorities can provide you with a rundown on what you can and cannot put inside a dumpster for trash pickup. Common items include old paint, batteries, pesticides, herbicides, and other lawn and garden chemicals, used vehicle fluids such as motor oil, antifreeze, and transmission fluid, oven cleaner, drain cleaner, other harsh household chemicals, and compact florescent light bulbs. Even though most people are aware of the specifics of prohibited items in their everyday trash, they sometimes don't understand that the same rules apply to rented dumpsters. Keep in mind that not only can this practice result in the trash disposal company refusing to accept the contents of your rental dumpster, but it may also cause the local authorities to present you with a fine.
For more information on renting a dumpster, contact a company like East Central Sanitation & Recycling.
