Size Matters When Renting Dumpsters

Size truly matters when it comes to renting a roll off dumpster.  Many times we think of our wallet first when it comes to paying for something temporary like dumpster rental.  Afterall, it's just a container that you're going to use for trash disposal.  But smaller, doesn't always end up being cheaper.

The dumpster to the left isn't a roll off dumpster, it is however roughly 4-6 yards.  The smallest size roll off we rent at Express is 10 yards.  Does double this size look like it will hold all of the debris you have? If it doesn't you're better off renting our most popular size - our 15 yard dumpster.  It just might save you over $150!  We'll get to that in a minute....

Sometimes smaller is cheaper when it comes to size.  This applies when you're ordering food in a restaurant for instance.   The 6oz steak is cheaper than the 8 oz cut.  A 10 yard dumpster is our least expensive dumpster, provided you can fit all of your debris inside of it without going over the fill line.  And if you can manage to do so, that's great! 

But usually we have a tendency to underestimate the amount of garbage we really have.  This is where the savings comes in... 

A 10 cubic yard dumpster is not only ideal if you don't have much to dispose of, but also if you don't have the space (a shorter driveway, a condo, etc.).  The downside to the 10 yard dumpster (if you're strictly trying to save money) is - more than likely you will not have room to rid of all the items you intended.  Its size is less than two times the flip top dumpster size you see in alleyways.  For $25 more, we personally recommend you rent a 15 yard roll off.  You will easily end up saving $175 in the long run, because once your bin is full and we haul it, the rental cyle begins all over again.  Therefore, you could wind up paying close to double just because you rented the wrong size roll off.  It's not worth the futile attempt to scimp on the size if a larger size container is actually needed for your waste removal project.

We're not putting down the 10 yard dumpster by any means.  But we have noticed this size receives more dump returns and switch outs than the next size larger (our 15 cubic yard dumpster).  A 'dump return' is when we pick up your full container and take it to the land fill, then the same empty dumpster is returned to you.  A 'switch out' is when we take away your full roll off and switch it out with a new empty container.  In both of these cases, the rental cycle begins again and we charge the rental rate once more.  This is where chosing the correct size for your project is critical.  Unknowingly, you opted for a 10 yard dumpster and spent $200, thinking you would save $25, when instead you needed a switch out and it cost $400 (for 2 cans) instead of $225 for a 15 yard dumpster.  

The 10 yard size is ideal for small tile jobs (like a bathroom), mini clean outs (a small shed, carport, or one car garage), and small yard debris clean ups.  The majority of the projects homeowners and contractors tackle require a 15 yard dumpster (sometimes larger).  The 15 yard roll off is by far the most popular size we offer for rent at Express Roll Off Dumpsters.  We do also offer 20 yard dumpsters and 30 yard containers as well.

Over the last few days, 8 out of 10 people have requested rental quotes for the 10 yard dumpster size only.  This prompted us to write this article.  We realize you don't want to spend more money on waste removal than you have to; which is why we want to educate you in selecting the correct size in the first place.

Bottom line... you're better off spending an extra $25 on your initial rental and opting for the 15 yard roll off instead of a 10 yard.  This choice more than likely will save you $175. in the long run.  Thanks for taking the time to read our blogs.  Still not sure which size to rent?  Call us Express Roll Off at 321-253-1080 or fill out a free quote form and we'll get back to you (usually within 30 minutes).