Most nationwide dumpster rental chains and even many independent local ones won’t list dumpster costs on their websites. Why is this? Wouldn’t people feel more encouraged to rent if they knew how much they would need to pay?
The vast majority of people who own or manage dumpster rental businesses are honest, upfront individuals. That has a minimal impact on whether and how they list rental dumpster costs publicly, though. There are other reasons.
These reasons are the focus of this article. If you’re interested, get ready to learn the nuances of today’s dumpster rental business!
Types of Dumpsters Discussed Here
Our focus here is on the various types and sizes of what is known as “roll-off” dumpsters—so-called because they are rolled off a delivery truck to be placed in a driveway or other location and then rolled back on for disposal when full.
Roll-off dumpsters are rectangular and open at the top (or covered by a tarp). Their capacity is measured in cubic yards, and the range is from as small as two cubic yards to as large as 40 cubic yards.
National dumpster rental chains and brokers tend to list dumpsters in increments of ten (10, 20, 30, or 40 cubic yards). However, local, independent operators often offer other sizes, sometimes much smaller ones.
Categories of Dumpster Rental Businesses
Before we consider the various factors in “rent-a-dumpster” prices, we should provide a brief overview of the types of companies engaged in renting dumpsters. They’re not all the same!
Locally or Regionally Owned and Operated
These could be traditional “mom ‘n’ pop” businesses that have existed for years and have a lot of local support. They could also be start-ups. Or they could be successfully running multiple outlets in a defined region or metro area.
National Chain or Franchise (dumpsters only)
You can recognize a dumpster rental outlet as part of a national chain or franchise by the extent to which it’s “on-brand.” This means having the corporate color and logo adorn every dumpster it rents.
It also means (ideally) having a marketing plan that features product images, accompanied by engaging messages throughout its social media, website, and print materials. A great example of this is Budget Dumpster.
National Chain or Franchise (diversified business lines)
Diversified chains such as the giant Waste Management Inc. benefit from the synergies of complementary business lines, for example, curbside trash collection and dumpster rentals.
Dumpster Rental Broker
Dumpster brokers seldom own rental dumpsters in any market. Instead, they will take a cut by raising the rental cost and arranging for a given local company to do the hauling and delivery. This helps companies by bringing them new business.
Dumpster Rental Referral Business
Unlike brokers, referral businesses give potential customers information on local companies. They are not middlemen and don’t take a cut upfront like brokers. Instead, they forward queries directly to companies and earn commissions on resulting sales.
Referral companies might be the best dumpster rental service in operation since they connect possible customers with both independent rental businesses and larger chains. Plus, there’s no price increase for customers.
Factors in Dumpster Rental Cost
Here’s where things get complicated. Trying to list all the factors that bear on the cost of a dumpster can make smoke come out of someone’s ears!
Factors That Are All But Universal
- Dumpster size and capacity
- Number of days the dumpster is needed
- Additional rental days beyond the stated rental period
Factors That Apply Only for Some Rental Companies
- Type of debris: For example, construction materials tend to be much heavier than yard waste or trash from a celebration of some kind. Some rentals will base their dumpster cost on this factor.
- Fuel charge: Some dumpster rentals prefer to charge according to how much fuel it takes to haul a filled dumpster. This way, they don’t need to grill customers about what they’re tossing in the dumpster.
Factors Related to Local Dumpster Markets
So, how much does it cost to rent a dumpster for a week?
Would you believe that dumpster costs can vary wildly from one city to another, even within the same state or region? For example, renting a 20-yard dumpster in Atlanta for a week costs from $300-375.
However, the same size and rental period range from $240-300 in Salt Lake City. Renting in Burlington, Vermont costs a whopping $550-685!
There is no easy way to explain these disparities, except that the local cost of living could have some bearing, as could the number and types of dumpster rental outfits competing in the local markets.
The average national dumpster-rental cost is between $200-800 per week. This broad range doesn’t tell you much, though. It’s better simply to call a rental company and ask, “How much does it cost to rent a large dumpster (or another size)?”
Why Don’t Most Dumpster Rental Companies List Their Prices?
Competition is part of all business sectors, and a dumpster rental is no exception. But how does this bear on dumpster cost? We can only make educated guesses on this since it has to do with the unique circumstances of the rental and the location.
We believe so few dumpster rental companies list their prices openly because:
- The market average fluctuates, and it takes time to update published prices. Some dumpster businesses will list the most current rates on social media.
- Some businesses prefer to keep prices flexible so they can offer special discounts from time to time.
- Some are watching what competitors are doing so they can adjust their prices accordingly.
We don’t doubt there are other factors. We’ll probably never know what, though, since businesses guard their trade secrets zealously.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Dumpster?
As we’ve discussed here, only a limited number of dumpster rental companies publish their dumpster costs. Instead, they provide numbers to call or simple online forms to complete and return.
If we’ve left you with a sense of ambiguity, it’s because of the complicated amalgam of factors that go into establishing firm dumpster rental costs to offer customers.
Keep watching our website for more informative articles like this one, explaining what goes on in today’s business world.
