Ninety percent of dumpster deliveries in the Downriver area are uneventful: the truck backs in, sets the container down, and leaves. The other ten percent involve a car in the way, a low wire, or a driveway nobody measured. Here's how to make sure yours is in the first group.
Pick the spot
Choose a flat, hard surface, ideally your driveway. Think about where the debris is coming from and put the container as close to it as possible; carrying drywall an extra fifty feet gets old fast. Keep it off septic fields and away from soft ground, and make sure it won't block your garage if you need to get a car out during the rental.
Measure the space
Our roll-off truck needs a straight shot to back in and roll the container off. As a rule of thumb:
- Width: about 10 feet of clear width, with no cars, basketball hoops, or planters in the way
- Length: about 12 feet for a 10 yard, 16 feet for a 15 yard, and 22 feet for a 20 or 30 yard, plus roughly the same length again behind it for the truck
- Height: about 20 feet of overhead clearance for the truck bed to tilt up; watch for tree limbs, power lines, and garage eaves
Protect your driveway
A roll-off container is set down on steel rails. On a concrete or asphalt driveway that's normally fine, but we can place boards under the rails to spread the load and protect the surface; just ask when you book. Avoid placing a container on freshly sealed asphalt or on pavers if you can help it.
Delivery day
You don't need to be home, but the spot does need to be ready. Move vehicles, open gates, and if you want the container in a specific orientation (door facing the house, for example), leave a note or text us. If you'll be placing it on the street, have your permit in hand. Our driver will call if anything about the spot looks like a problem.
Loading and pickup
Load heavy items first and flat, then stack lighter bulky items on top. Break down boxes and furniture. Keep everything below the top rim; anything sticking up above the walls has to come out before we can haul it. Keep concrete, dirt, and the other prohibited items out of the container. When you're done, call or text and we'll schedule pickup; make sure the same clear path exists so the truck can get back in.
Related questions
No. As long as the spot is clear and we know where you want it, we can deliver and pick up without you there. We'll confirm placement details before delivery.
It's uncommon on a sound concrete or asphalt driveway, and we can set boards under the container's rails to spread the weight. Let us know if your driveway is new, sealed, or made of pavers and we'll take extra care.
Tell us the measurements and we'll recommend a size that fits, or talk through street placement, which usually needs a permit from your city.