7 Things You Need To Know About Getting Dumpster Service in Cleveland & Akron

Thinking about renting a dumpster for your Cleveland, Akron area home cleanout or bath remodel, and you do not know where to start?  Relax - the process is easier than you might think! You'll discover this when you call our Dumpster Consultants at 330-386-7783. 

Let us first review the most basic and yet very key elements of finding the right dumpster for your project by looking at some of our oft-asked questions so you avoid making easily avoidable mistakes in the process.

FAQ #1 – What Items Aren't Accepted in Your Dumpsters?

You can toss almost anything in a roll off dumpster, but there are a few exceptions. For example, some of these “hazardous” materials would include but are not limited to items such as, corrosive to explosive and flammable to poisonous, here are more than 10 household-related products that cannot go into a residential dumpster:

• propane tanks
• ammunition
• leftover (undried) paint, paint cans and paint thinner, stains and varnish
• household cleaning products
• batteries
• fluorescent light bulbs
• tires, motor oil, gasoline, and antifreeze
• aerosol cans
• pesticides and fertilizers
• pharmaceuticals and bio-medical waste

*Dirt and masonry products may be tossed in only when arranged at the time of your dumpster rental order.

FAQ #2 – Can You Place the Bin Anywhere on My Property?

The great thing about some roll off dumpsters is how they snug right up conveniently in your driveway.  Residential Friendly also means they are about the size of a minivan.

But there are a few things to keep in mind about placement before your box arrives, so everything goes smoothly.

Is there enough room in the driveway to come and go with your car? (No, your dumpster provider will not write you a note explaining to your boss how a dumpster kept you from showing up for work.)

Can you avoid placing it at the end of your driveway onto a sidewalk, where it may block the view of drivers and restrict pathways for pedestrians?

Are you blocking entrances to any man-doors or garage doors? 

Is there enough room between the back end and your home to utilize the easy-access, walk-in double doors? This is especially important if you have heavy, bulky items you cannot toss in over the top of the Bin (these French-style doors on a dumpster help tremendously to avoid this approach).

Ponder all this before your roll off dumpster arrives.

FAQ #3 – Do You Protect My Driveway From Dumpster Scratches?

Ensure the dumpster provider you select includes a driveway protection system, to eliminate the possibility of scrapes, dents, cracks or impressions (i.e. on asphalt on a hot summer day).  Such systems are typically protective boards that placed beneath the dumpster by the driver, to disperse its weight/footprint over a larger surface area, thus providing the necessary protection.

FAQ #4 – Where Shouldn't I Have the Roll Off Dumpster Placed?

A nice flat driveway is the ideal place for your dumpster.

Three (3) places you would want to think about before placement would be:

 Sloped surfaces- That said, sloped surfaces are not entirely off-limits, and getting a second opinion from your local dumpster service provider is a smart approach. Some are best fitted with the required precision hook-lift trucks to execute placements on inclines, positioning the dumpster in a secure and easily accessible location.

Someone else’s property- Naturally, it could become an encroachment issue with your neighbor should your dumpster placement land on their side of the property line!  Legal complications can also arise relative to responsibilities for surrounding damage caused by, say, a bin fire, or material leakage from it, for instance, should the wrong materials end up in the bin. Ensure the dumpster is well within your property lines.

City streets- In many municipalities across northeast Ohio, like Cleveland, city street Bin placements must not exceed 24 hours. Typically, anything longer than that and you will need to visit your city hall to obtain a Permit, which is not very expensive, and must be visible outside the dumpster. It is common for customers to have a job or project over the weekend; when that is the case, getting a permit from city hall on the weekend is not always possible.  Note: Will a fire-truck have accessibility to drive past the dumpster? Check your local ordinances.

FAQ #5 – How Full Can I Fill the Container?

The roll off dumpster must not filled above the sidewalls, as it must be safely transported; the load has to be covered so no debris falls out during transport, possibly endangering other drivers on the road.

FAQ # 6 – What Do I Need to Know About Delivery and Pickup?

When you call to book your roll off dumpster delivery, discuss your project with the Dumpster Consultant, who can help you decide when it is best for bin delivery and subsequent retrieval, ensuring the space is clear for the driver, whether it is for the delivery or bin pickup.  This way, you will avoid additional fees for a return visit.  

Also, be sure to know the term of service and if there is a prescheduled pickup already in place, so you don’t forget, and incorrectly assume the term length, finding yourself unable to complete your junk or debris purge with the initial bin.  If you realize you need the bin longer than expected, be sure to let the company know right away, as chances are, that dumpster has some place else to go after the term is completed.

FAQ #7 – Are There Hidden Fees In Dumpster Service Costs?

When you're researching local dumpster costs in Cleveland and Akron, you have to beware of hidden fees. 

Even the most well informed of shoppers can get caught off-guard by unexpected charges on their bills. There is nothing wrong with a company making a profit - that is of course their main objective. We do not think anyone would (or could) dispute that. The question becomes how businesses go about turning that profit.

Here are six (5) unexpected costs to look for when you are renting your bin:

            Extra Tonnage- Unless you are filling a bin with cinder blocks, dirt, or gravel, you will likely be hard-pressed to exceed the usually 1-ton (1.1 tons) limit for most smaller-sized bins. Working with your bin provider can help ensure you do not exceed any weight restrictions.  It is best to find a bin service provider who actually includes the “consultation” as part of their value proposition when booking the order, versus just “executing” the transaction of sale.

            Fuel Surcharges- As diesel prices inch back up toward $3.00 a gallon, anyone involved in delivering a product or service, which is, well, nearly everyone, has added a fuel surcharge. For customers beyond a certain distance from the bin-yard, it makes sense, but it is only fair if the customer knows this up front.

            Extra Days- No matter how much we try to make plans, life has a way of getting in the way and ruining them.  A bin delivery occurs, and then something happens that pushes back the start of the project. If you need to hang onto the bin for an extra day or two, it may cost you extra, so be sure to ask the cost for additional days beyond the service term.  

            Sorting Fees- Materials placed in a dumpster may requiring sorting prior to proper disposal (ex. Clean fill material must not be mixed). Should this be the case, informing customers of this requirement needs to occur prior to service.

Charges for Restricted Items- There are just a few materials disallowed in a roll off Bin. Be sure to ask and/or check the associated Terms & Conditions Agreement, and to be clear of the charges should any such materials become tossed into the Bin.  For instance, a fridge that still possess Freon, must be “red-tagged” (if accepted at all) by a certified HVAC specialist to indicate the Freon was safely removed. The additional separation charge of the fridge at the dump facility can be significant. 

Of course, when you call Bin There Dump That for our dumpster services in Cleveland and Akron, our Dumpster Consultants will walk you through a series of questions to make sure you see NO hidden fees on your final invoice. 

Those are the most asked questions our Dumpster Consultants receive on a daily basis. Knowing this information as you research bin suppliers in the area will arm you with the information to make sure you get an affordable and convenient dumpster service.