A dumpster rental can be incredibly beneficial for home projects but it can also be a bit complicated if you make some mistakes when renting a dumpster.  If you are a first-time renter,  you will want to keep these 4 common errors in your mind to ensure a smooth residential dumpster rental experience.

• Timing your rental wrong.

Much like construction, dumpster rentals are always best when the weather is clear.  You will want to check the weather to make sure that you don't need your dumpster for longer than necessary due to weather delays.  Some dumpster rental companies charge extra after a certain time period, you will want to make sure to ask about the terms of the rental.

Another thing to note is that if you are expecting rain,  the contents in your dumpster will likely absorb water, which could cause you to go over your weight limit on your dumpster. 

• Placing the wrong items in your dumpster.

Because you have paid for a dumpster rental, you might assume that you can throw anything away in it, but that is not the case.  While there aren't many restrictions on what you can and can't throw away in a dumpster, you still need to follow local laws.  For example, you can't throw away hazardous materials in a dumpster just like you aren't supposed to place it in your curbside trash can.

It is always best to check if there are prohibited items that can't be thrown away in you city or state to make sure that you aren't breaking any laws.

• Putting Your Dumpster in The Wrong Location.

Most dumpster rental companies will deliver your dumpster rental to your property or home.  Before your dumpster is placed though, you need to let the company know exactly where you would like it.  

Placing your dumpster in a great location can help save you time during your project and can make it possible to still access parts of your home while the dumpster is on your property.

Some people assume that they can leave a dumpster in front of their home on the curb but most municipalities don't allow this without permits.  Most people decide to have their dumpster left on their driveway to avoid having to get permits.

Make sure to think about where you want to place your dumpster to make it convenient. 

• Not Looking Into Rental Fee Structure.

All though dumpster rentals might seem like they are all the same,  the companies behind them can have vastly different ways of pricing.  Not all dumpster rental companies charge the same.  There are a few common practices when it comes to rental fees. 

One of the things that is common among most dumpster rental companies is to charge based on weight.  Many companies will give an allotted weight and will then charge extra for any overages.  Another practice is to charge based on the size of the dumpster; the bigger the dumpster, the more expensive it is.  A third way is to charge based on time.  This would mean that you will get charged depending on how long you have the dumpster.

Usually, most companies use a combination of a few of these pricing strategies.  Some fees that you will want to ask about are:

• Weight Fees
• Drive Fees
• Mileage Fees
• Day Rates
• Packing Fees

Conclusion

Dumpster rentals can have huge benefits for homeowners and builder working on renovations and new projects.  The more you know about dumpster rentals, the more likely you are to have a great experience.  Keep in mind where you will need your dumpster, how dumpster pricing works, the weather, and what items you can place in your dumpster and you will have a great first experience.