Living in Birmingham offers many benefits, not the least of which is space. Birmingham is well-known as a city with high rates of livability, which means that people take pride in their properties. Whether you own a home in Birmingham, a business, or both, you probably tinker with it on a regular basis. You might find yourself renovating every couple of years, and you almost certainly have a spring cleaning routine. If you’re more of a socialite than a handyman (or woman), you might find yourself sprucing up your place so that you can have company over. In any of these cases, you’re likely to be left with substantial amounts of waste materials to clean up in the aftermath of an event. As such, you should take care to secure a practical and affordable waste removal solution. Roll off dumpster rental is a reliable choice—if you choose your container carefully.

There are many factors to consider when deciding to rent a roll off dumpster, but size is among the most important. When you choose a correctly-sized container, you’ll save yourself from numerous potential logistical headaches. Ideally, you should match the size of your rental dumpster to the needs of your project and the limitations of your space.

 At Junk King, we’ve made it our mission to help people discover more convenient waste removal solutions for projects of all kinds. Over the years, we’ve seen many people learn lessons about dumpster rental the hard way, so we want to give you a few tips on how to avoid common problems. Keep reading to see how thinking about container size can help you have a smoother and more rewarding rental experience, then take what you’ve learned into your next home or business improvement project.

When it Comes to Roll Off Dumpster Rental, Bigger is Not Always Better

When most people hear about roll off dumpster rental for the first time, they assume that they should secure the largest possible container for their project. From a certain perspective, this assumption can seem reasonable. After all, isn’t it better to have more than you need than to find out halfway through the process that you don’t have enough? In fact, though, the answer is usually “no.” Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why:

1. A larger container takes up more space. Space is one of your most precious resources—that’s probably why you’re cleaning out your unwanted junk in the first place. The less stuff you have to clutter up your property, the more room you’ll have inside for activities, storage, or living space. When it comes to container rental, space is just as crucial. Large containers can be difficult to place and may obstruct essential areas like driveways. If you cannot fit your dumpster in a driveway, you could also find yourself having to apply for a permit to keep it on the sidewalk or road outside. These areas are considered public rights of way, which means you cannot block them without express permission from the city’s Public Works office.
2. A larger container is more expensive. Dumpster companies may use one of several pricing models, but you’ll usually find that renting a larger container proves to be more expensive. The only exception to this rule would be a company like ours, which charges users based on the amount of space they use within their containers, as measured in square feet. Otherwise, you’re likely to be charged a fee based on the size of the skip itself. Even companies that charge by weight can end up charging more for large ones, since they might charge for the weight of the container in the final fee.

3. You can always expand, but you can’t always downsize. Think about it this way: if you rent a dumpster that turns out to be too small for your needs, you can always rent another one. On the other hand, if you find out that the container you’ve rented is much larger than what you need, there’s not much you can do—you’ve already rented it. Instead of erring on the side of caution when it comes to dumpster capacity, it’s often more convenient to err on the side of caution when it comes to cost and available room on your property.

Will a Small Dumpster Solve These Problems?

Even if they understand the challenges that often accompany larger dumpsters, some people remain skeptical that a small dumpster can adequately handle their needs. However, the versatility of small containers solves most of the common issues that individuals face when trying to remove junk from their properties.

Firstly, small dumpsters are easy to place on driveways. As such, they can be used by most Birmingham homeowners without requiring them to secure a permit first. Having a skip that fits in your driveway can also make it easier for the rental company to drop it off and pick it up again when your rental period is over. It is vital that the rental company can access your dumpster easily so that they can collect it on time. As such, smaller dumpsters also make it easier for owners to avoid late fees.

Secondly, small dumpsters make it easy for you to save money. You’ll be able to avoid paying for the weight or size of a large container, and if you rent from a company like Junk King, you’ll have fewer square feet to fill, which means you’ll be inspired to pack the container efficiently and spend less.

Finally, you’ll be surprised by the storage capacity of many small dumpsters. Our debris boxes hold up to 12 cubic yards of material. That might not sound like an immense amount at first, but when you measure it out, it’s actually quite substantial. 12 cubic yards is enough space for the loads from three pickup trucks, which should be more than enough for your average household project. If it’s not, you can always rent another container!

Other Roll Off Dumpster Rental Considerations

Size matters, but it isn’t the only thing you’ll want to think about when you rent a roll off dumpster. For example, you’ll also want to make sure that you choose a company whose members will work hard to sort the contents of your container responsibly after they come to collect it. Instead of taking an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to your waste materials, look for a company that prioritizes green strategies. Looking for a company that values sustainability will ensure that the contents are reused and recycled when appropriate. You’ll be able to feel better knowing that you aren’t just throwing everything into a trash heap somewhere.

Choosing a roll off dumpster rental for your next project in Birmingham shouldn’t be stressful, but there are certain things you should think about if you want to simplify the process. Size does matter—in fact, it matters a great deal—but that doesn’t mean you should try to rent the largest container in the city. Instead, start small and expand only when necessary. Doing so will give you more room to work, and will probably save you money. For more information on the way we price our rentals at Junk King, or to learn about responsible waste disposal solutions, contact us directly and speak with a representative who can tell you more about our mission. We’ll be happy to tell you everything you need to rent a dumpster with confidence.