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The Rise in Multifamily Housing Construction

New duplexes and apartment builds are increasing across the country — especially in rural areas.

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ByChad Lutz| Last Updated: 03/28/2025

Multifamily Housing: The Trends and Challenges of Rural Construction

As demand for affordable housing in the United States continues to rise, so does the need for construction. While only a little over a third of the U.S. rents, a majority of this new construction includes multifamily units in rural areas, where infrastructure is set to be improved under the current administration.

At Dumpsters.com, we provide essential solutions for these large-scale projects, ensuring that builders have the jobsite support they need to keep their projects safe and moving.

Let’s look at trends, challenges and our role in streamlining waste removal, with expert input from Dumpsters.com Account Executive Clay Hegarty.

Multifamily Housing FAQs

What cities are seeing the biggest boom in multifamily housing construction?

What challenges are involved in multifamily housing construction projects?

What’s the average cost to build a multifamily home?

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A Dumpsters.com dumpster, storage container, and portable toilet on a jobsite.

What are the Trends in Multifamily Housing Construction?

Building affordable multifamily housing units has been a driving factor in real estate construction, along with remote work cultures, infrastructure investments and availability of land.

While cities and suburbs have traditionally dominated apartment, condo and duplex builds, new residential construction has seen recent surges in multifamily housing projects. The factors contributing to this trend include:

Housing Affordability

Higher living costs in cities and suburbs make renting multifamily units in less populated areas more attractive.

Remote Work Culture

Almost 70% of U.S. employers have flexible policies on working remotely, meaning more people are able to work from anywhere.

Infrastructure Investments

Federal, state, and local organizations advocate for rural infrastructure improvements, including multifamily housing.

Incentives & Land Availability

Land in rural areas is cheaper than suburban and urban areas due to demand and regulatory factors.

What are the Challenges of Rural Multifamily Housing Construction?

With the sector set to grow, several challenges — including supply chain disruptions, ongoing labor shortages, waste disposal requirements and regulatory compliance — could impact multifamily housing construction in rural areas in the coming years:

Supply Chain Disruptions

Tariffs and material shortages may delay multifamily projects, especially in areas with limited access.

Ongoing Labor Shortages

Hiring skilled laborers remains a nationwide challenge, impacting schedules, costs and multifamily home construction.

Waste Removal Logistics

Remote jobsites mean limited access to equipment, making an efficient dumpster rental strategy crucial.

Regulatory Hurdles

Zoning laws, regulations and permits vary, delaying projects without proper planning and expertise.

Dumpsters.com's Role in Rural Multifamily Construction

With service nationwide, we help contractors and project owners manage multifamily home construction debris efficiently, no matter the location. Our expertise includes:

  • Customized Waste Management Plans: We customize dumpster rentals for multifamily projects, ensuring optimal placement and service.
  • Reliable Service in Rural Areas: Our extensive network allows us to deliver and swap out dumpsters in even the most remote locations.
  • Regulatory Compliance Support: We assist builders in adhering to local disposal regulations and sustainability goals.

Why Partner with a Nationwide Provider for Rural Construction?

Working with a skilled nationwide waste removal partner like Dumpsters.com offers significant advantages for rural multifamily housing projects:

Nationwide Network

No matter where or when you need service, we provide dependable dumpster rentals and timely swaps.

Data-Driven Services

Our project scoping is backed by historical data, ensuring you get the services you need to get the job done.

Tailored Tonnage

Pay for what you need with our custom tonnage estimates, resulting in the right price for your budget.

Sustainability Efforts

Recycling and rebate programs are harder to find in rural areas, but if there’s a need for it, we’ll find it.

5 Most Common Types of Debris Tossed During Multifamily Construction Jobs

1. Concrete & Masonry Debris

We provide dedicated concrete containers — even washout cans — during the initial phases of construction to keep jobsites clean and safe for workers.

Concrete rubble from a construction site.
Large pile of used lumber.

2. Lumber & Drywall

After building foundations are set, crews get to work framing the structures. Our timely service keeps pace during this ongoing phase that can last multiple months.

Headshot of Clay Hegarty, National Account Executive.
Clay Hegarty, National Account Executive | Dumpsters.com

"The framing phase of construction — when the build goes vertical— can require upwards of six swaps a day for several months.”
  

3. Material Packaging

Most materials come in plastic packaging or are shipped on wood pallets, which we tackle with tailored tonnage options to fit your exact needs.

Piles of construction materials sitting on wood pallets and wrapped in plastic packaging.
Headshot of Clay Hegarty, National Account Executive.
Clay Hegarty, National Account Executive | Dumpsters.com

"We use weight data built up from thousands of multifamily projects nationwide to provide our customers with the most comprehensive solutions and competitive rates.”
  

Construction worker wearing a safety harness, hard hat, and protective gloves on a roof installing shingles.

4. Roofing & Insulation

Shingles and insulation can be hard to dispose of. Our in-house experts have the knowledge to provide the safest and most effective solutions.

5. Metal Framing & Wiring

While less prevalent in housing jobs, metal waste can be recycled for rebates or to meet sustainability goals on projects requiring specific waste diversion rates.

Wiring and metal framing running the length of a ceiling inside the shell of an apartment building under construction.

Keeping Pace in the Housing Race

As multifamily housing construction expands into rural areas, managing construction debris efficiently is more important than ever. With the right waste management partner, developers can keep their projects on track while maintaining environmental compliance.

At Dumpsters.com, we’re committed to the evolving needs of the multifamily housing industry. Whether your jobs are in North Dakota or North Carolina, we ensure your projects run smoothly from start to finish. Reach out today to see how we can help you save time, remain within budget, and keep your housing builds moving.

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Expert Contributor

Clay Hegarty headshot.

Clay Hegarty

Clay Hegarty is a dedicated Account Executive at Dumpsters.com with four years of experience. Clay specializes in delivering exceptional equipment rental solutions to project owners, helping them save time and money while enhancing their operational efficiencies

Other Sources

Bloomberg News. U.S. Housing Starts Fall in Broad Pullback After December Surge. (February 19, 2025). Retrieved from Equipment Finance News.
Brouillard, Kevin. How Much Does It Cost to Build an Apartment Complex? (January 13, 2025). Retrieved from SoFi.
Desilver, Drew. A Look at the State of Affordable Housing in the U.S. (October 25, 2024). Retrieved from Pew Research Center.
Hermann, Alexander; Whitney, Payton. Rural Areas Saw Disproportionate Home Price Growth During the Pandemic. (May 16, 2024). Retrieved from Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
Jones, Jonathan. U.S. Cities Building the Most Multifamily Housing. (January 22, 2025.) Retrieved from Construction Coverage.
Solá, Ana Teresa. 2025 is a “‘Renters Market,’ Housing Economist Says — Here’s How to Take Advantage. (January 31, 2025). Retrieved from CNBC
United States Census Bureau. Characteristics of New Housing. (January 6, 2025). Retrieved from U.S. Census Bureau
Wells, Rachel. The Great Office Return — Will 2025 Mark the End of Remote Work? (December 6, 2024). Retrieved from Forbes.

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