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Understanding Dumpster Fees: 
What You Need to Know

When renting a dumpster, it’s important to know exactly what fees might come with your rental. At ADR, we keep pricing straightforward and transparent so you’re never surprised by hidden costs.

How Dumpster Fees Work

Dumpster fees are charges that may apply in addition to your original flat-rate quote. While there are a few types of fees that can occur, our goal is to keep your final invoice transparent and predictable. Take a moment to learn about each fee so you know exactly what to expect.
Trip Fees
Extension Fees
Overage Fees
Disposal Fees
Additional Fees
Trip Fees

Price Range: $195-$350

A trip fee happens when our driver arrives to deliver or pick up your dumpster but can’t complete the service due to site conditions. Since we send a truck and driver, these situations may result in an additional charge.

Common Reasons for Trip Fees: 
• Blocked Access:
Cars, equipment, or other obstacles prevent the truck from reaching the dumpster location.
• Unprepared Site: The area isn’t ready for safe placement or removal of the dumpster.
• Overfilled Dumpster: If debris is sticking out over the fill line, it can’t be safely hauled.
Locked or Gated Property: Our driver can’t enter to complete the service.

How To Avoid Trip Fees

Prepare the delivery spot

Before your dumpster arrives, please clear the area of cars, equipment, basketball hoops, or any other obstacles. Be sure to unlock entry gates and check for low-hanging wires or branches that might block access. If you’d like, you can mark your preferred drop-off spot with cones or plywood—though this isn’t required.

Keep in mind, additional trip fees may apply if the dumpster has to be relocated after delivery. And if you’re placing your roll-off dumpster on public property, be sure to secure the proper permit before your scheduled delivery.

Ensure There’s Plenty of Room

The space required for delivery and pickup will vary based on the dumpster size you choose. In most cases, our drivers can safely maneuver with the following clearances:

• 23 feet of vertical clearance
• 10.5 feet of width
• 60 feet of straight-line space

Fill Your Dumpster the Right Way

To avoid a trip fee, make sure nothing sticks out above the top or hangs over the sides of your dumpster when we come for pickup.

For the best use of space:
• Start with large, heavy items. Walk them in through the swinging door and spread them out to balance the weight.
• Add smaller, lighter debris next. Toss these over the edges to fill in open spaces.
• Finish below the fill line. All materials must stay completely under the rim so we can safely transport your dumpster.
• Following these steps ensures a smooth pickup and helps you maximize every inch of your container.

Stay Within the Maximum Weight Limit

Every roll-off dumpster comes with a weight limit included in your flat-rate price, and none of our containers can exceed 10 tons total. Hauling more than this creates safety risks for our drivers and others on the road.

If your dumpster is too heavy to lift, we may ask you to remove some of the debris before pickup. A trip fee can also apply if our driver needs to return later once the load is lightened.

To help prevent this, let us know if you’re disposing of especially heavy materials like concrete, dirt, or bricks. In some cases, we may recommend only partially filling your dumpster to stay within safe limits.
Extension Fees

Price Range: $15-$50 per day

Need a little more time? If your cleanup runs longer than expected, you can often extend your dumpster rental for a simple daily rate. The exact cost depends on your location and the size of your container at the time of your order.

How To Avoid Extension Fees

Stay Within Your Rental Period

Most of our dumpster rentals run between 7 and 10 days. You’ll receive the exact rental period when you place your order. Staying within that timeframe is the easiest way to avoid any extension fees.

Stay on Schedule With Pickup

You can request a dumpster pickup anytime during your rental—even if you finish early. Just fill out our quick online form, and we’ll handle the rest. To avoid extension fees, be sure to schedule your pickup before the final day of your rental period.

Ask About Extended Rental Options

Know in advance that you’ll need extra time with your dumpster? You can arrange and pay for an extended rental period upfront. For longer projects, be sure to ask about our extended rental options before scheduling your delivery.
Overage Fees

Price Range: $50-$250 per ton

Your dumpster rental includes a set weight limit, which covers the amount of debris you can dispose of without extra charges. Because landfills bill disposal costs by the ton, any weight above your included limit will result in an additional per-ton fee, prorated by the pound.

We don’t charge for this upfront—you only pay if you actually go over your limit. Overage fees typically appear on your invoice within 30 days of your final pickup, though in some cases it may take up to 120 days, depending on when we receive the official weight ticket from the landfill.

How To Avoid Overage Fees

Pick the Right Dumpster Size and Weight Capacity

The easiest way to avoid overage fees is to rent a dumpster that fits both the size and weight of your debris. Not sure which container is right for your project? Use our weight calculator to estimate your materials ahead of time, or give us a call—our team will be happy to recommend the best option for your cleanup.

Know Your Weight Limit

Each of our dumpsters comes with a set weight limit included in your quoted price. Staying within this limit helps you avoid overage fees. Planning a heavier project? Ask about our higher weight options when you order. More tonnage means less risk of extra charges when disposing of heavy materials like concrete or brick. Even with lighter debris, weight can add up quickly, so it’s easy to underestimate how much you’re throwing away.

Cover Your Dumpster When It’s Not in Use

Heavy rain or snow can increase the weight of your dumpster, especially if you’re disposing of absorbent items like carpet or upholstered furniture. Water-soaked debris can push you over your weight limit and lead to extra fees. To avoid this, secure a tarp over your dumpster with bungee cords or tie-down straps whenever a storm is expected.
Disposal Fees

Price Range: $25-$200 per item

Disposal rules and regulations vary by location. You can get a disposal fee for three different reasons:

• Disposing of something that’s hard for the landfill to process.
• Tossing prohibited items.
• Putting hazardous waste in a dumpster.

Learn more about disposal fees and how to plan for them, or keep them off your invoice.

How To Avoid Disposal Fees

Know What You Can Throw

Item restrictions differ by city and state. Some materials—like appliances, mattresses, and electronics—take longer to process at the landfill, which makes their disposal more expensive. When you place your order, our team will let you know about any per-item fees in your area. While these fees are charged after pickup, knowing them ahead of time helps you plan your budget—or explore alternative ways to dispose of these items.

Avoid Tossing in Prohibited Items

We accept most debris types, but some items aren’t allowed. This includes oil, asbestos, paint, and other materials that are hazardous to landfills or could damage your dumpster. Disposing of prohibited items can result in extra per-item fees—or a trip fee if our driver can’t haul the container.

Dispose of Hazardous Waste Safely

For safety reasons, flammable and hazardous materials cannot be placed in our dumpsters. These items can be dangerous to handle and harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly. Check out our guide for safe disposal of household chemicals, batteries, and other hazardous materials.
Additional Fees
Some services come with extra costs. Be sure to plan for them in your budget.

Dig-Out Fees

In colder climates, dumpsters can freeze over. If items inside your dumpster are stuck and require special equipment to remove, a dig-out fee will apply. This fee is usually around $75 and is billed after your dumpster is picked up.

Tow Fees

If your dumpster sinks into the ground and can’t be removed easily, a tow fee may be charged. Rates vary by location. To avoid this, place your dumpster on a stable, paved surface when it’s delivered.

Wait Fees

A wait fee is applied if delivery or pickup is delayed after our driver has arrived. Charges vary by market and are typically billed by the hour. This fee will appear on your invoice following the delayed service.

Cancellation Fees

You can cancel your delivery or pickup for free up until 3 p.m. the day before service.
Cancellations made after 3 p.m. or on the service day will incur a $150 fee to cover driver scheduling and rerouting costs.

📌 Extra Services & Fees

These aren’t standard dumpster fees, but some services may incur additional costs. Plan ahead so you can budget accordingly.

Swap Out Service

Need your dumpster emptied sooner than expected? We can swap out your full container for a new one quickly. Just give us a call, and we’ll have a fresh bin on its way.

Renting Multiple Dumpsters

Working on a large project? You can rent multiple dumpsters at once (subject to availability). This is ideal for major remodels or commercial jobs to keep your project moving efficiently.

Permits

Placing a dumpster in the street or blocking a sidewalk may require a permit. Some cities also require permission for placement on private property, including driveways or jobsites. Check our permits page or contact our team for guidance.
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AFFORDABLE DUMPSTER RENTALS, LLC