A common question that many property owners ask is whether it’s better to hire a junk removal service or to rent a dumpster to get rid of junk from your property. The answer really depends on what type of junk you need to remove, how much, and how long you anticipate it’ll take to de-clutter your property.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but in some circumstances the decision is fairly obvious. Below we’ll analyze some of the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a junk hauler compared to renting a dumpster.
Hiring a junk hauler
One of the most efficient and affordable ways of de-cluttering your residential or commercial property is to hire a junk hauler specializing in junk removal and property cleanout services. Junk haulers come directly to your property in a specially-adapted vehicle to collect and load all unwanted waste and junk, then they haul it off for disposal at recycling facilities or landfills, depending on the type of refuse.
Pros
- Junk removal companies provide a ‘one-and-done’ solution. Tell them what you need hauled off and they’ll come by and get the job done. Longer jobs like full property cleanouts might take a full day (or longer), but most jobs only take a few hours at most.
- Once the junk haulers have arrived and you’ve given them access to your property, you don’t have to lift a finger. Sit back and watch your favorite series, take your dog for a walk, or make a tasty lunch while the junk haulers do all of the dirty work.
- For small loads, e.g. some furniture or appliances, mattresses, or a truckload’s worth of waste, hiring a junk hauler is often far more affordable and convenient than renting a dumpster.
- You don’t need to worry about disposal or even sorting out your junk. Professional junk removal companies will collect all waste and sort it out for proper disposal, including separating recyclables, items that can be donated to charities, and trash destined for the landfill.
- Most junk removal companies can offer you flexible appointment times that fit around your schedule, sometimes even on the same day. If you need a property cleaned out quickly, such as before a new tenant moves into a rental property, junk haulers are much more reliable and convenient than renting a dumpster.
Cons
- Quoting an accurate price for junk removal can be tricky, depending on the junk hauler and their expertise. It’s often a good idea to take a photo of the junk you need hauled and to speak directly with the junk hauler beforehand to get a quote. JunkGator gives you access to FREE, no-obligation quotes from professional junk haulers, so don’t put a single dollar down until you’ve gotten a reliable quote from our member partners.
- Time can be a concern, particularly for big jobs. If you need a lot of junk hauled away, the job might take a day or longer. Schedule well in advance of any important dates if you need an entire property cleaned out.
- Similarly, continuous junk removal can be a problem. If you need routine junk removal, you’ll have to schedule routine appointments which can add up in cost quite quickly. For continuous junk removal, it’s often best to hire a dumpster.
What are the best reasons to hire a junk removal company?
Hiring a junk removal company near you can be a great solution for getting rid of unwanted junk from your commercial or residential property. Some of the most common examples of items that a junk hauler will dispose of include:
- Yard waste and garden furniture, trampolines, hot tubs, etc.
- Construction and demolition debris (after the job’s done)
- Excess trash or garbage
- Bulky items like furniture and appliances (but not too many)
- Mattresses and boxsprings
In brief, hiring a junk removal company is often best for property owners that simply want to get rid of junk quickly and efficiently all in one go.
Renting a dumpster
Dumpsters are waste containers used for the temporary collection of waste and unwanted junk. Companies typically rent out dumpsters ranging from around 10-40 cubic yards in size and may charge a flat fee or by weight.
Our research suggests the cost of renting a dumpster in the United States is about $380, ranging from about $240-$480 per week. Comparing costs with junk removal services can be tricky, however, since dumpsters tend to be rented on a weekly or monthly basis and are used continuously throughout.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting a dumpster?
Pros
- Cost estimates for dumpster rentals tend to be a lot more cut and dry from the start. Companies that rent dumpsters usually charge by weight (e.g. by the ton) or as a flat weekly fee.
- Junk can be tossed into the dumpster whenever you want throughout the rental period. This makes dumpster rentals convenient for continuous/sporadic use, such as during a building or demolition project like roofing or remodeling.
- Dumpster rentals can be more reliable than hiring a junk hauler. Once the dumpster’s been dropped off, you don’t need to worry about appointment times. Simply fill up the dumpster with unwanted junk whenever you want.
Cons
- Depending on your county and state as well as where the dumpster will be situated, you may require permits in order to place the dumpster in places like public right-of-way or in a position that obstructs visibility.
- Additional fees may be tacked onto your total bill for filling above the specified fill line or for mixing hazardous waste or items not permitted by the rental company.
- Some dumpsters can damage your property when being loaded and offloaded. Scratches and scuffs on concrete or other surfaces can be mitigated by placing plywood beneath the dumpster.
- You’ll have to do all the work of filling up the dumpster yourself. Of course, the rental company will haul off the dumpster and dispose of all waste after they’ve collected the dumpster, but you’ll have to do the dirty work while it’s sitting on your property.
What are the best reasons to rent a dumpster?
Most people choose dumpster rentals over junk removal companies for continuous junk removal. This is one of many reasons why construction and demolition contractors almost always have a dumpster sitting on the property while they’re working. Over the course of a week or a month, contractors such as roofers are constantly tossing shingles, flashing, and other waste into the dumpster, so they’re ideal for these types of situations. Commercial businesses and institutions such as schools often hire dumpsters and have them picked up every week or bi-weekly, for example.
Some common items that people toss into dumpsters include:
- Construction and demolition debris from ongoing projects
- Large quantities of yard waste
- Large quantities of furniture and/or appliances
It’s important to note that most dumpster rental companies will typically list items that can and cannot be placed inside of their dumpster. Hazardous waste such as paints and solvents can pose a serious hazard and the dumpster rental company will almost never permit these items from being placed inside of the dumpster.
Is it better to hire a junk hauler or to rent a dumpster?
The decision over whether to hire a junk hauler or rent a dumpster should by now be a lot more clear. For construction or demolition work, or for large quantities of junk that need to be disposed of at routine intervals, dumpsters are often preferred. In most other cases, hiring a junk hauler is faster, more efficient, and more affordable.
Many junk removal businesses actually provide dumpster rental services themselves, so the two methods of junk removal are not necessarily competing with one another all of the time. Junk haulers listed here on JunkGator often rent out box trailers or small dumpsters for their customers, so inquire with your preferred junk hauler if you think a dumpster might be a better choice for your needs.
Get rid of unwanted junk today with JunkGator
Getting rid of unwanted junk is easy with JunkGator. Our platform puts you in direct contact with hundreds of junk haulers near you, all across the United States. Click on GET QUOTES and enter your ZIP code to find nearby junk haulers and request as many no-obligation quotes as you like.
