Guide
7 Reasons Dumpster Bills Go Over the Quote, and How to Avoid Each
Dumpster bills go over the quote for seven reasons: weight over the included tons, extra days, a dry-run trip, overfill, special items like tires and mattresses, swaps, and rush delivery. Every one of them can be predicted and most can be avoided before the dumpster arrives.
1. Weight over the included tons
Overweight is the most common reason a bill goes up. With Reid Bros, extra weight is $75 per ton, charged by the exact pound from the landfill scale ticket. A 20-yard includes 3 tons; 3.4 tons net costs $30 extra. Size by weight for shingles, tile, drywall and concrete.
Fix: estimate the weight before you book. How weight is billed has a calculator.
2. Keeping it past 7 days
Every rental includes 7 days and each extra day is $25. Three extra days add $75. Book delivery for the day before the messy work starts, and call for pickup as soon as you're done instead of waiting for the scheduled date.
3. The truck can't reach the spot
A dry run costs $125 when the driver arrives and can't drop or pick up the dumpster because of parked cars, low wires or a locked gate. Clear and mark the spot the night before, and give us any gate code when you book.
4. Debris above the rim
An overfilled dumpster can't legally go on the road. The $125 dry-run fee applies and the excess must come out before the truck returns. Keep debris level with the top rim, and concrete or dirt no higher than halfway.
5. Tires, mattresses and appliances
Tires, mattresses and appliances with Freon are $50 each, because the landfill processes them separately. Count them when you call so they're on your quote instead of a surprise on the invoice.
6. A swap you didn't plan for
A swap, pulling a full dumpster and dropping an empty one, is billed as a new standard rental. Picking a size too small is the usual cause. When you're between two sizes, the bigger one usually costs less than a second haul.
7. Same-day delivery
Same-day delivery carries a $50 rush fee and depends on truck availability, so it isn't something to count on. Booking by 3 PM gets guaranteed next-day delivery with no rush fee, which is why the best time to call is the afternoon before you need the dumpster on site.
All seven are listed with amounts on the dumpster rental cost guide.
FAQ
Final bill questions
When will I see these charges?
On the final invoice, emailed 3 to 5 business days after pickup with the landfill scale ticket attached.
Can I see the weight I'm billed for?
A digital copy of the certified scale ticket comes with every final invoice.
Get a quote with every fee listed
Call and we'll go through the base price, included tons and days, and every fee that could apply.