Hey Angela, We need to rent a dumpster for a construction project. Where’s the best place to put a construction dumpster on a site?

Thanks for the question! We get asked this a lot. In fact, we partially answered this in a previous post: Can we put a dumpster over a septic tank? We even developed an augmented reality app for your phone that will help you find the perfect location! (I’ll put links to the free app at the end of the post.)

There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re placing a dumpster on a construction site:

• Place the dumpster on a solid, flat surface. If your site is out in the country, or there isn’t a concrete or asphalt surface, put down some plywood or a solid base. So many times, we’ve seen people skip this step and try to place a dumpster on regular dirt – not only is it going to kill any grass underneath, but if it rains the dumpster is going to get bogged down in mud making it very hard to remove. Do yourself a solid and put it on a solid foundation.
• Leave enough room to open the doors if you’re using them to load the dumpster! If you’re planning to move heavy materials into the dumpster and you need the doors open, don’t forget to factor in enough space to open the door. You may need to work with the driver to find a space that the truck can safely access while allowing enough room to open the dumpster gate/door.
• Consider access. Speaking of space, make sure there’s safe and clear access for the delivery truck. Not only will you need a clear path for the delivery, but you’ll also need to make sure the path is kept clear when the dumpster is serviced. If you use temporary fencing around the site, make sure someone is on site to open the gate when the dumpster is dropped off and picked up.

Renting a dumpster is pretty straightforward, but you do need to plan ahead for these things when deciding where to put it. Keep in mind the delivery truck will also need to get in and out of the area when choosing a location.  

A really easy way to find the perfect location is to download our app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. You can use your phone to see how a dumpster, portable toilet, storage container or mobile office will look on your jobsite … before you even place the order!

Give us a call if you have any questions!