Whether you're starting a home renovation or just doing a seasonal cleanout, you may have decided that it's time to rent a dumpster to make waste removal easier. If you've never rented a dumpster before, you might not know for sure what you should expect. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your dumpster rental.

Book the Right Dumpster

When you're calling for a dumpster for the first time, you need to understand what the process will entail. You should call a few different companies to get pricing and see what options they offer.

There are many different sizes of dumpsters, and the right one will depend on how much you plan to dispose of and what type of waste you're dealing with. Explain to the dumpster rental agent what you're planning to use it for, then they can tell you what size would likely be best.

Understand the Limitations

Before you book any kind of dumpster rental, you need to know exactly what you can and cannot put in it. Disposing of things that the rental company isn't equipped to handle can result in additional fees.

Things like construction waste need to be handled separately from household waste. In addition, you may not be able to dispose of things like paint, cleaning chemicals, or other hazardous materials. Ask for a list of the acceptable and prohibited items so that you can avoid unnecessary problems.

Another limitation you should be aware of is the weight limit of the dumpster. These weight limits are important to consider, because a dumpster that is over that limit may not be able to be picked up. Your dumpster rental company will let you know what the weight limit is on the unit you choose, and it's up to you to stay within that restriction. Keep in mind that if you're disposing of heavy materials, you'll have less space to use in the dumpster than if you're disposing of household waste.

Be Prepared for Delivery

It is important that you are prepared for the delivery well in advance. That way, the day of delivery will require little more than just ensuring that the access path to the drop-off point is clear.

Choose somewhere that is as level as possible for your dumpster. If it's more than a slight grade, the dumpster rental company won't be able to place the unit there. In addition, you need to know how much clearance the delivery truck will need. In most cases, you should have 20 feet or more of overhead space, two to three times the dumpster length in depth, and at least twice the dumpster width. This gives the delivery driver room to work to get the dumpster into place.

Once you've found a level spot, put some plywood down to cover the full dimensions of the dumpster. This helps to avoid damage to the surface where the dumpster will be placed.