Whether you are working on a construction or demolition jobsite, remodeling your home, decluttering your home or garage, renovating an office, or resolving a hoarding situation, you are going to need a way to dispose of all your waste and debris. You’ll want to have that waste removed quickly, efficiently, and affordably.
Let’s talk about the type of waste or debris you’ll have when your project is finished.
When to Hire a Junk Hauler
If you have completed a kitchen remodel, for example, you’ll have appliances that will need to be hauled away and recycled.
If you have decluttered your home, office, or garage, many of your discards may be e-waste or hazardous waste that cannot go into a landfill. A junk hauling service would be the better option for you unless you want to do the work yourself. They will come into your home, pick up your items, and take them to a local recycling center for you.
This is a particularly good option for the elderly or a disabled person who cannot do the lifting themselves if you don’t mind the workers coming into your home. However, as with any construction, you still have the lumber, flooring, and perhaps the drywall to consider, and that would be better disposed of in a roll off dumpster.
When to Rent a Dumpster
Dumpsters are used on demolition and construction jobsites as well as home remodeling, new home or office builds, and several other projects.
Construction and demolition materials almost always require the rental of a dumpster; the amount of debris is too much for a junk hauling service to handle. Aside from appliances, electronic waste, and hazardous material, you can put anything into a dumpster.
Certain types of materials such as asphalt shingles and concrete weigh a lot. You should consult with your local dumpster rental company about whether you need a specialty load.
Dumpsters come in a variety of sizes from ten yards to forty cubic yards in capacity. After a consultation with a customer service representative, you will know which size will work best for you. Once it’s delivered to your home (usually placed in your driveway,) you have a specified amount of time to fill it. Depending upon the dumpster company, that can be 3-5 days or as long as two weeks, and you can extend the time if you need to.
You can take your time and work at your own pace. All your debris is concealed, and if you discard something by mistake you can retrieve it. Although it’s a hands-on job and you will have to do all the loading, you are in control of your work schedule. If you don’t have workers to help, you can always ask a friend or neighbor to assist with the heavy items.
Junk Hauler vs. Dumpster Rental
Size
Junk hauling trucks usually have a capacity of 15 cubic yards. Depending upon the amount of waste you have, two or more trips may be required, increasing the cost.
Dumpster sizes range from 10 – 40 cubic yards. You can keep the dumpster for up to two weeks. One trip solves the problem of getting rid of your waste.
Cost
Junk hauling services have a minimum charge between $50 and $150 depending upon where you live. Based on the amount of waste you have the cost can increase. Junk haulers can be less expensive when you have a small load going to a recycling center. The work can be done in as little as a few hours and you don’t do any of the lifting.
Dumpster costs are based on your location, the amount of waste you have, and the size dumpster you need. Pricing usually ranges from $200 and up.
Type of Debris
A junk hauler works best for someone who has a limited amount of waste, wants a quick removal, and doesn’t mind workers coming into their home. It is also best for material that cannot go into the landfill.
Dumpster rentals are better for bigger projects such as construction and demolition, large home decluttering, or hoarding situations.
Dumpster advantages are bigger loads, bulky material, rental periods that suit your schedule, give you more control, and there are no labor costs.
Final Thoughts
Your cost to rent a dumpster vs. hiring a junk hauler is all based on where you live, the amount and type of debris you are disposing of, the number of cubic yards you need to hold that waste, and time. Unless you only have some old furniture, a refrigerator, or a few boxes of trash from your home or garage, rent a dumpster. You’ll save money when you don’t have to pay for multiple trips and labor charges.