Choosing the right dumpster size for efficient waste disposal is an essential part of all construction projects. However, with many types and sizes of dumpsters available, understanding what is suitable for your project may seem overwhelming.
In this extensive guide, Rainier Dumpster Rental shares everything you need to know about choosing a commercial dumpster and tips for choosing the right dumpster for your project.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Commercial Dumpster
1. Type of Waste
The type of waste you want to dispose of plays an important role in the dumpster size you should hire. For example, household, construction, and restaurant waste have different weights and require different dumpster sizes.
Determining the type of waste generated from your project will help you choose the right type and size of dumpster and protect you from renting the wrong dumpster and facing troubles in your project.
2. Volume and Frequency of Waste Generation
After understanding the type of waste, you also need to determine the volume of waste and how often you’ll generate waste during your project, as this will also determine the size of the dumpster you should rent.
You should also consider the duration of your project. If your project is for the long term, you should get a big-sized dumpster to dispose of all the waste generated efficiently. On the other hand, if your project is for a short period, a smaller dumpster may be enough to accommodate all the waste and junk generated.
Similarly, if you are renting a dumpster for your business, you should consider the volume of waste your business generates and how often the waste is generated to determine the right appropriate dumpster size.
3. Type of Business and Project
The type of project you’re carrying out determines the type and size of dumpster you will need.
There are many types of projects that require dumpsters, and each project requires different sizes of dumpsters. For example, construction and kitchen remodeling projects may require a larger dumpster than home and office cleanout projects.
You also need to consider the size of the project to ensure that you make the correct choice. You want to rent a large dumpster for a large-sized project to allow easier and more efficient junk removal and prevent unnecessary stress. However, if your project is small-scale and will generate less waste, a small or medium-sized dumpster may be enough to accommodate your waste.
If you are renting a dumpster for your business, you also need to consider the type of business since all businesses generate different types of waste and will require different dumpster sizes.
For example, a restaurant and a commercial store may require different sizes of dumpsters, even if both businesses are of the same size. This is why it is essential to consider your business type to avoid renting a dumpster that is too big or small.
Factors That Affect the Selection of Dumpster Sizes
1. Available Space
When renting a commercial dumpster for your project or business, you must consider the available space on your project site. Before you decide on the final dumpster size, measure the space you intend to place it and check if it is big enough.
Even though most dumpster rental companies are skilled in placing dumpsters at strategic places, if your space is too small, you may have no other choice than to rent a smaller dumpster that will fit better.
In cases where your space is limited, you can arrange a swap-out service with your dumpster rental company. With a swap-out dumpster rental service, the dumpster company will remove the initial dumpster when it’s full and replace it with another one until you finish your project.
This way, you can rent a dumpster that fits perfectly into your hallway without worrying about disrupting your project.
2. Project Size
Project size is another crucial factor you must consider when choosing a dumpster. Aside from the type and duration of the project, you also need to consider the size of the project to enable you to choose the perfect dumpster size.
For example, a small kitchen renovation project and a complete roof replacement project are two different projects with varying sizes, requiring different dumpster sizes. If you don’t consider your project size properly, you might rent a dumpster that is too small or too big, which will stress you and disrupt your project.
Similarly, if you're renting a dumpster for your business, you should consider your business size before making a decision. A small retail store may cope well with a small to medium-sized dumpster. Meanwhile, a large corporate organization that generates a lot of waste may need a larger dumpster to accommodate its waste.
3. Budget
Costs and budget play an important role in the type and size of dumpster you’ll rent for your construction or commercial project. Before renting a dumpster, you should get estimates from different companies and compare prices to determine the one that works best for your budget.
Larger dumpsters are more expensive than smaller ones, which means that if you are renting a large dumpster, it might cost you more money. This is why you must carefully consider your budget before choosing a dumpster.
When deciding on your dumpster size, you must find a balance between your budget and the dumpster and choose the size that works and suits your budget.
4. Local Regulations and Permits
Some states and municipalities have restrictions and regulations concerning commercial dumpsters.
Some areas have restrictions about commercial dumpster placements, while others may have specific weight limits that you must not exceed for each dumpster size. Before renting a commercial dumpster, find out if there are any restrictions on commercial dumpsters in your locality to avoid getting into trouble.
Similarly, some areas require certain permits before renting commercial dumpsters. It is important to find out if such a permit exists in your locality and get it before you rent a dumpster for your project.
Understanding the different Dumpster Sizes
To choose the right dumpster size for your business or commercial project, you need to understand all the different dumpsters, their sizes, and the volume of junk they can accommodate. This part of this guide will discuss different types of dumpsters and their dimensions to help you make informed decisions.
1. 10-Yard Dumpster
The 10-yard dumpster is a small-sized commercial dumpster suitable for small-sized projects like small home and garage cleanout projects. This dumpster is usually 12ft long, 6ft wide, and 3ft tall. It can contain up to 1-2 tons (33-gallon trash bags) of junk.
The 10-yard dumpster is suitable for projects like home improvement and decluttering projects. It can accommodate items like roofing shingles, flooring, asphalt, and electronic trash.
2. 12-Yard Dumpster
The 12-yard dumpster is typically 12ft long, 8ft wide, and 4ft tall. It's suitable for small to mid-size projects like renovations, floor removal and replacement, garage cleanout, and kitchen renovation.
This dumpster can contain up to 12 cubic yards of waste, equivalent to 2-3 tons or 4000-6000 pounds. Some items you can throw into a 12-yard dumpster include office junk, construction waste, and big house cleanout projects.
3. 15-Yard Dumpster
The 15-yard dumpster can hold up to 15 cubic yards of waste and is one of the favorite dumpsters for mid-sized construction work. It is usually 12ft long, 8ft wide, and 5ft tall and can accommodate up to 6 pickup trucks of junk.
This dumpster doesn’t take up a lot of parking space and is perfect for a standard driveway. It is suitable for mid-sized projects like kitchen renovation, basement and attic cleanout, and patio demolition and renovation.
4. 20-Yard Dumpster
The Rainier 20-yard dumpster is perfect for big construction projects that generate a lot of waste. It is 12 ft long, 8ft wide, and 6ft high and can take up to 8 pickup trucks (equivalent to 4-5 tons) of trash. Depending on the items you trashed, this truck can weigh up to 4000-6000 pounds when fully loaded.
The 20-yard dumpster is suitable for mid-sized to large projects like construction, demolition, multiple-room renovation, and large home cleanouts.
5. 30-Yard Dumpster
The 30-yard dumpster is suitable for really large projects. It can accommodate a lot of junk and is perfect when the 20-yard dumpster is not enough. However, this dumpster is large and requires a large parking space, so it may not be the perfect choice for you if your parking space is narrow.
The Rainier 30-yard dumpster is 20ft long, 7.5ft wide, and 6ft high. It can accommodate up to 12 pickup trucks of load and can weigh up to 7000-10000 pounds, making it perfect for really large projects like new construction, major reconstruction, and large roof replacement projects.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Commercial Dumpster
Choosing a dumpster and getting rid of commercial and construction junk are important to your project's success. However, there are certain mistakes that you must avoid when renting a dumpster to ensure the success of your project. They include the following:
1. Choosing the Wrong Dumpster Size
The one important mistake you want to avoid when choosing a dumpster is choosing a size that is too small or too big, as this can ruin your project and cause you a lot of trouble.
Before choosing a dumpster size, take your time to examine and calculate the total amount of trash you will be disposing of to give you a clear picture of the dumpster size you need. If you are not sure, talk to the experts at Rainier Dumpsters for professional assistance and recommendations.
Avoiding this mistake can make all the difference in your project and help you get rid of your construction junk with little to no stress at all.
2. Overfilling the Dumpster
Another common mistake people make when they rent a dumpster is overfilling the can, which can cause health and safety hazards when hauling the trash away.
When you rent a dumpster, your dumpster rental company will give you a weight limit, which you are expected to adhere to when loading the dumpster. Most dumpster rental companies are strict with their weight restrictions, and loading the dumpster beyond the stipulated limits can attract extra charges, making you spend more than you budgeted on junk removal.
To avoid overfilling your dumpster, rent a dumpster that will accommodate all your trash and distribute heavy items evenly in the dumpster to even out the weight and prevent uneven weight.
3. Placing the Dumpster in the Wrong Spot
When planning to rent a dumpster, you also need to carefully plan where you will place it during the duration of the project and be sure that you are not breaking any law. Most states and cities have rules and regulations concerning dumpster placement. It is crucial to understand what the rules say in your area to protect you from running into trouble.
For example, if you plan to place your dumpster on the street, you need to know if you need certain permits. You also need to ensure that the dumpster will not block traffic or disturb other road users.
For proper placement, create space for the dumpster on your project site and remove all obstacles around the spot to allow easy drop-off and pick-up.
4. Placing Hazardous/ Prohibited Items in the Dumpster Can
Not all waste items are suitable for the dumpster. Some items are hazardous to human health and should be disposed of using other special means. These items are prohibited, and placing them in your dumpster can attract fines and extra costs.
Depending on your dumpster rental company, some common prohibited items include gas, open paint, fuel, and batteries. If you put any of these items in your dumpster, they will be rejected at the landfill, and you will be required to pay fines.
To avoid this mistake, properly examine your trash and remove every hazardous item before loading your dumpster. Also, if your dumpster rental company gives you a list of prohibited items, ensure that none of those items are included in your dumpster to avoid spending extra money on fines.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dumpster Rental Company
The dumpster rental company you choose can make all the difference in your project. This is why you should choose your dumpster carefully to avoid falling into the wrong hands and facing unnecessary stress. Some of the factors you should look out for when choosing a dumpster rental company include the following:
1. Customer Service
Your dumpster company should treat you with respect and have multiple channels of contact where you can reach them easily. They should also have a fast response rate and should keep you informed about everything you need to know about their services. If all or most of these are missing, the company may not be a good fit for you.
2. Dumpster Sizes
The right dumpster company should have a dumpster that fits your needs. If the company you choose doesn’t have the dumpster size you need, you may need to keep searching until you find a dumpster rental service with the right dumpsters.
3. Rental period
When renting a dumpster, one of the important factors to look out for is the rental period. The average dumpster rental period is 5-7 days. If you didn’t finish your project within the stipulated period, you can ask your rental company for extra days. Most dumpster rental companies will allow you to keep their dumpster for longer periods at an extra fee.
4. Proximity to Your Project Site
It is always advisable to choose a local dumpster rental company for your commercial project. Working with a rental company that is close to your project site will allow faster drop off and pick up of the dumpster. Also, closer companies will charge you less, helping you save money on your project.
5. Pricing System
Ensure your dumpster rental company is transparent with their pricing system to protect you from overcharging. Go through the price quote carefully and take note of what the cost covers. Also, look out for other fees like overloading charges, late fees, and other additional fees. Be sure that you are satisfied with their prices before finalizing the contract to avoid future regrets.
Commercial Dumpster Rental Company in Tacoma, WA
If you need reliable and affordable commercial dumpster rental services in Bellevue, Rainier Dumpster Rental is the best company for you.
Rainier Dumpster Rental and Junk Removal Company is a locally-owned waste management company serving Tacoma, WA, and other surrounding communities. They have dumpsters of all sizes suitable for all commercial projects, including construction, demolition, and roofing.
With Rainier Dumpster, you will enjoy fast, reliable services, affordable charges, excellent customer service, and a smooth junk removal process.
For free estimates and inquiries about their dumpsters, call Rainier Dumpster Rental at 253-753-8183 or visit their website.
