Empire DumpstersDumpster rental FAQs
Every question we get, grouped by topic. If yours is not here, call (313) 444-8442 and we will answer it directly.
Pricing
How much does a dumpster rental cost?
Flat rates: $345 for a 15 yard, $395 for a 20 yard, $475 for a 30 yard, each with a one-day rental and 2 to 4 tons of disposal included. Delivery, pickup and dump fees are in the price. Extra days run $10 to $30, and weight over your allowance is billed at $75 per ton.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The price you are quoted covers delivery, pickup, your rental days and the included tonnage. You would only pay more for two things: keeping the dumpster longer than booked, or going over the weight allowance, which is billed at $75 per ton straight from the disposal facility scale ticket.
Weight & billing
How is the weight of my debris measured?
Our truck gets weighed at the disposal facility before and after emptying your dumpster. The difference is your load weight. Those scales are certified and regulated by the state bureau of weights and measures, and we pass the ticket through at cost if you go over your included tonnage.
How much weight can I put in a dumpster?
Each rental includes a set allowance: 2 tons in a 15 yard, 3 in a 20, 4 in a 30, and 10 tons in a concrete container. The hard ceiling is about 15 tons, because Department of Transportation rules limit what a roll-off truck can legally carry on the road.
Loading
Do the dumpsters have doors?
Yes. Every dumpster has a hinged rear door that swings open, so you can walk heavy or bulky items in instead of lifting them over the side. Keep the area behind the dumpster clear so the door can open fully.
Do the dumpsters have lids or covers?
No, roll-offs are open-top. If you are worried about rain soaking drywall or light debris blowing out, throw a tarp over the load. Wet debris weighs more, and weight is what you pay for past your allowance.
Delivery & placement
Will the dumpster damage my driveway?
We take placement seriously: the driver sets boards under the rails where needed and rolls the container off slowly. Tell us where you want it, and if you will not be home, mark the spot with cones or chalk and we will put it there.
Do I need to be home for delivery?
No. Most drop-offs happen while customers are at work. Leave clear instructions when you book, or mark the spot, and make sure cars are out of the way that morning. The driver will call if anything about the spot looks off.
Do I need a permit for a dumpster?
On your own driveway or property, no. If the dumpster has to sit on the street or another public right-of-way, most Southeast Michigan cities require a right-of-way permit from the city. Call us first, we will tell you what applies at your address and how to get it.
What's allowed
Hazardous waste is prohibited in every dumpster. A short list of common items is allowed but can carry a per-item disposal fee at the facility.
Prohibited, no exceptions
- Chemical products, herbicides and pesticides
- Solvents, flammable liquids and gasoline
- Propane tanks
- Motor oil, transmission oil and antifreeze
- Petroleum-contaminated soil
- Lead paint chips
- Asbestos
- Medical waste
- Radioactive material
- Microwaves and fluorescent tubes
- Animals
Allowed, per-item fee may apply
- Mattresses
- Tires
- Appliances containing freon
- Large electronics
What's allowed
What can’t go in the dumpster?
Hazardous waste is prohibited: chemicals, solvents, gasoline, motor oil, propane tanks, antifreeze, lead paint chips, asbestos, fluorescent tubes, medical waste and similar. Mattresses, tires, freon appliances and large electronics are allowed but can carry a per-item fee at the disposal facility. Not sure about something? Call and ask, it takes a minute.
Can I put concrete, brick or dirt in a regular dumpster?
Heavy material fills your weight allowance long before it fills the container, so a regular rental usually is not the cheap way to do it. Use our concrete and heavy-debris container instead: $499 flat for three days with 10 tons of disposal included.
Rental period
How long can I keep the dumpster?
Standard rentals run one to three days, priced upfront when you book. Need it longer? Just call before your pickup date and we will extend it. When you are done early, request a pickup and we will grab it, often the same day.
How fast can you deliver?
Same-day or next-day across much of Southeast Michigan if you call in the morning. We are based in Dearborn, so the close-in Wayne County cities get the fastest windows, and farther addresses in Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties we schedule a day or two ahead.
Sizes
What size dumpster do I need?
A 15 yard handles a garage cleanout or one-room remodel. A 20 yard fits a whole-home cleanout or roof tear-off, and it is our most-booked size. A 30 yard is for construction and demolition volume. If you are between sizes, go up one: the price gap is smaller than a second haul.
Do you have 10 yard dumpsters?
No, we run 15, 20 and 30 yard containers. For small jobs the 15 yard is our starter size at $345 all-in, which is close to what most companies charge for a 10 while giving you half again the space. For heavy material like concrete, ask about the heavy-debris container instead.
Send it over, we will call you back
Fastest answer is still the phone: (313) 444-8442. Otherwise, send your details and we will call back with a straight answer and a flat price for your address.
Get a quote by text or call
Send your details and we call you back with a flat, all-inclusive price.
Need it this week?
Call (313) 444-8442 before noon and we can usually get you a dumpster same day or next morning.