What Is a Dumpster Fee?
A dumpster rental fee is an additional fee charged in situations where the rental terms are broken — like overloading your container or exceeding the weight limit.
We take the time to review your agreement and what's included in your bundled rate to help you avoid unexpected costs. Keep in mind the typical prices for these fees varies based on your location and the debris types involved.
View our average fee pricing ranges below for a breakdown of these amounts.
Types of Dumpster Fees and How to Avoid Them
While we bundle all of your basic disposal costs into one flat rate, we also review state laws and local landfill regulations you’ll need to keep in mind. Let’s break down the types of fees you might see on your bill and how to avoid them.
What Is a Disposal Fee?
Disposal fees happen when the landfill charges extra for certain materials that require special handling. You may also see disposal fees if you toss an item that the landfill does not accept. If you’re unsure if you can throw out a particular item, call our team at 877-814-9748.
Pricing Range: $25 - $200 per item
Don’t Toss Restricted Items
When you set up your rental, we’ll review the costs of adding prohibited items to your dumpster. However, to dodge a fee, watch out for these common items that often result in additional charges.
Bulk Waste
Some landfills charge more to sort and process recyclable items, like appliances and electronics, or large trash, like mattresses and upholstered furniture.
Mixed Debris
If you rent a special-use dumpster, like a container only for concrete or yard waste, the sorting facility may not accept it if they find other items inside.
Hazardous Waste
Items like batteries and paints are prohibited from landfills for environmental and safety reasons. Instead, look for a hazardous debris site near you.
What Is a Trip Charge?
You'll be charged a trip fee to cover fuel costs and route delays if the truck driver cannot drop off or pick up your dumpster due to obstacles that interfere with service. This includes if the dumpster exceeds the weight limit due to being overloaded with debris.
Pricing Range: $150 - $350
Tips to Prevent a Trip Charge
Give Delivery Instructions
Provide detailed delivery instructions to make sure the driver places the dumpster where you need it. There will be a trip fee if we need to return to relocate the container.
Check Height Requirements
The delivery truck typically needs 25-30 feet of vertical clearance to drop off a dumpster. Choose a spot free of low-hanging tree branches or power lines.
Don't Block the Way
Keep the area clear of vehicles and other obstacles that could block dumpster placement, and unlock gates so the delivery location is accessible to the driver.
What Is an Overage Charge?
An overage charge happens if you go over the weight limit specified in your agreement. The landfill typically charges a rate per ton. When you rent a dumpster with us, your bundled price includes the container, disposal costs and a generous weight limit.
Pricing Range: $50 - $250 per ton
Rent the Right Dumpster
To avoid unexpected fees, we'll help you choose the right dumpster size for your debris and review all of the associated costs. For large or ongoing projects, you can recommend additional dumpsters or arrange empty-and-return service for sites with limited work space.
What Is an Overloading Fee?
If debris is overflowing or hanging over the sides of the dumpster, it cannot be safely transported to the landfill. Debris could fall out, causing personal injuries or property damage. Depending on how much debris is involved, the driver may not be able to safely pick up the container, which would result in a trip-fee. In some cases, another dumpster may be required to offload some of the debris to get each container under the legal limit.
Pricing Range: Trip Fee ($150 - $350) + the price of a new container (if needed)
Keep Debris Level With the Fill Line
Follow these tips when loading your dumpster to avoid the headaches of an overloaded container.
- Remember the weight allowance.
- Load debris evenly, filling gaps.
- Place bulky items at the bottom.
- Break down boxes or large pieces.
When Do Extension Fees Apply?
If you need more time with your rental, you can keep it for a low daily rate. You'll typically have 10-14 days included in your agreement, giving you the freedom to clean up on your schedule — but we understand projects sometimes take longer than expected.
Pricing Range: $15 - $50 per day
Let Us Know When You’re Ready for Pickup
We won’t pick up your container until you let us know you’re done filling it up. To avoid extension fees when you don’t need extra time, make sure to schedule a pickup on or before the last day of your rental period, and we’ll remove the dumpster promptly.
Other Fees
What Is a Cancellation Fee?
If you need to cancel your order, the amount of the charge will depend on when you let us know about the cancellation. If we have to return to remove the container after it's already been delivered, you will be charged a trip fee to remove the empty container.
Pricing Range: $25 - $150
Average Pricing Range and Schedule of Dumpster Fees
The prices below show the average pricing range of each fee and when you can expect to be charged. Keep in mind that exact costs may vary depending on several factors, like your location and debris type. Follow the tips we provided to help you avoid these charges and lower the cost of your dumpster rental.
Type of Fee | Pricing Range | When Will I Be Charged? |
|---|---|---|
Disposal Fee | $25 - $200 per item | After disposal |
Trip Fee | $150 - $350 | After attempted delivery or pickup |
Overage Charge | $50 - $250 per ton | After disposal |
Overloading Fee | Trip Fee + the price of a new container (if needed) | After attempted pickup + new scheduling |
Extension Fee | $15 - $50 per day | At time of scheduling |
Cancellation Fee | $25 by 3 p.m. the business day before, $150 day of | At time of cancellation |
Dig Out Fee | $75 - $150 | After disposal |
Tow Fee | Varies by market | At time of tow |
Wait Fee | Varies by market, typically charged per hour | At time of wait |
Dumpster Fees FAQs
How are dumpster rental fees charged?
When you set up your dumpster rental, we'll ask for payment information that we keep on file. If you incur a fee, it will be processed to the credit card on file. Then, you'll receive an invoice via email notifying you of the amount of the charge and the reason.
What happens if I overload the dumpster?
If you overload your dumpster, the average charge is between $150 - $350. However, you'll also likely need to order another container and offload whatever items couldn't fit below the fill line.
If I acquire a fee, when will it be charged?
All fees, aside from overage charges, are billed as they occur. Overage charges, however, are usually received between two and ten weeks after pickup. This is because we are on a 30-day billing cycle with most landfills and have to wait to get the charge back from them before we can notify the customer with the correct fee amount. Our team is continuing to push to cut this down to no more than a 60-day delay.
Does a dumpster rental include disposal fees?
Yes. When you rent a dumpster, we'll provide you with an upfront, all-inclusive rate that includes delivery, pickup, local taxes, a covered weight limit and disposal costs.
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