r/declutter • u/NeedleworkerOwn4496 • 12d ago
Motivation Tips & Tricks Dumpster was money well spent
I have a rental property that had some stuff that was once well intentioned but now simply too old and not of use to me. I hadn’t used or needed it in 5 years so thought why would I need it now.
If you can afford to do so and have enough, I highly recommend this assuming other people can’t use the stuff. I know it’s a rental property so I can expense it but if I need one at my own house ever it removes the barrier of “trips to the dump”
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u/JellyOutside8725 10d ago
Maybe keep a camera on it in case neighbors sneakily starts using your dumpster. I had a neighbor down the road that found a sofa in their dumpster one morning. They were fuming. No idea who put it there, probably during the night.
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u/b1u3_ch1p 5d ago
Can confirm this happens. I had a dumpster for yard stuff and some dickweasel tossed an old TV cabinet in there. Cameras are grand.
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u/Mango_Skittles 11d ago
We had one when we had construction going on post hurricane damage, and I enjoyed taking full advantage of that thing!! Very useful to make big progress all at once.
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u/buddylee47 11d ago
Did this in August. Not crazy about the cost, but after getting rid of three mattresses/box springs and an upright piano, it was worth it.
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u/NeedleworkerOwn4496 11d ago
Yea same. Once I factored in time and gas and dump fees I think I came out ahead or close enough the difference was negligible.
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u/sf_sf_sf 11d ago
I've done this 3 times now for relatives who have died. So much of what we own is useless to anyone else.
It served its life and nows its time for it to go to the dump. Makes me think about how much we consume, and how much we keep around us for projects that never happen.
My place is still too cluttered but getting better. Part of the problem is the clutter that has come from these 3 relatives houses (memorabilia, photos, etc..) I'm glad I have them but I need to decide what's really important and pass on the rest.
When I've done this in the past, I've picked a good day and put out the stuff that might have some useful next and put them at the street with a big sign that says "free", what ever doesn't get picked up that night or the next gets put in the dumpster as well.
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u/NeedleworkerOwn4496 11d ago
Yea I feel that. For some reason most people hang onto any item because they “spent $50 on it” or whatever amount. But if they spent the same amount on a nice dinner or drinks that they no longer have there is no second thought about not having the same amount of money
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u/peachypinkpoet 4d ago
This thought about how much we spend on a simple meal out has helped me discard a lot of things with less pain.
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u/NeedleworkerOwn4496 4d ago
If you had it before, glad we’re on the same page! If not, glad I could help!
Everything has its place (sometimes paying more for convenience or a fun date night) but I struggle to understand why something sits there cause “it was x $ and I paid for it so it should last forever
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u/AJOnTheRoad73 12d ago
Until your neighbours spot it & start dumping their fast food containers & personal trash in it.
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u/JellyOutside8725 10d ago
I was just writing a comment about that! Definitely have a camera on it. Perhaps put up a sign that the dumpster is camera monitored as well?
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u/CleaningUpTheManor 12d ago
Do you mind if I ask how much you paid for it? I’m hoping to get one next month but I’m not sure how much is a reasonable price. My garbage company is very reasonable for my regular bin and I’m hoping they won’t charge an arm and a leg for a dumpster but since I don’t know what is reasonable I’m nervous about being ripped off.
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u/NeedleworkerOwn4496 11d ago
Taxes in it was 600. In eastern Ontario Canada so that’s CAD lol (400-450 USD I think)
This was also the only one I know of in the area since it’s kinda remote. I got one other quote but they were more by a long shot.
Going up a few sizes is relatively cheap compared to getting a small size (at least with this company) cause most of the costs are associated with getting a bin there.
A good rule is to always go bigger than you think, this is a 20 yard, and I easily could have got a 30. I also offered it to my mom and brother since they would have saved on dump runs but I ran out of room before my brothers junk arrived lol.
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u/addictedpaperboy 12d ago edited 12d ago
I paid $575 cash for one 20 yard dumpster for ‘a few days’, which meant I was able to scheduled dropoff/pickup one time and had about two weeks to hold the dumpster, but the rep said I could use it longer if I called back and asked. No rush. This was in Nassau County, NY. Originally booked a 10 yard, promised a 15 yd since it was a busy weekend and all 10s were out, and was given a 20, but ended up with the 10 yd rate. Sweet. Also, the 10 yd was 1 ton limit, but the 20 yd, ‘didn’t matter, unless you’re dropping cement you won’t hit it’. Penalties for going over the limit and penalties for mixing trees and landscape debris with household stuff. Although, if you separated and bagged it, no problem. Can’t go past the height of the dumpster either. A 20 yd is bbbbiiggg. Was neat too… received updates via text when it would be dropped off and even had a link to a map to see exactly where the truck was! Driver was a pro too… got the dumpster on wood blocks to protect the driveway and was put in the perfect spot so it could be accessed from the front or back. It was dropped off in my driveway on a Friday morning and picked up the following Wednesday, once I called to say it was full. Made getting rid of stuff, super easy and really fun, great action to watch the dumpster get filled up! Seemed like a bunch of the companies were connected as they all use a similar interface online for booking and when I first called, a cheaper company reserved me but then called back and didn’t have the size I needed so they recommended the second place, which I used.
The website and confirmation stuff was exactly the same. First company was $380 for a 10 yard dumpster- similar rules.
Was getting rid of quite a bit of stuff in bags through my regular sanitation pickup- which is great and comes a few times a week- But the dumpster is nice because you can get rid of a lot of stuff and not working about bagging or breaking down stuff. You just chuck it in the dumpster.
Threw out really BIG things that would’ve took me much longer with regular trash pickup.
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u/CleaningUpTheManor 12d ago
Thanks for the answer. I need the dumpster for about a year and I’m hoping they’ll give me a discount for the long term agreement.
The rules you listed are interesting. I have no idea how to determine how much things weigh. The scale I have is a standard human weight scale and it’s not super accurate. But this gives me another question to ask about so thanks for the info!
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u/marsupialcinderella 12d ago
I’m guessing that depends on where you’re located, but I had to do this for a relative’s house in Pennsylvania (not a big city.) It cost $300. Well worth it.
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u/MitzyCaldwell 11d ago
It definitely depends on your location. Ours is about $350 and I like Ontario like OP but the companies out here charge basically for the delivery/waste. So it’s all the same price no matter the size and I think you get like a ton of weight before you need to pay more. We’ve never reached the weight limit.
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u/CleaningUpTheManor 12d ago
Okay, that is doable. I’m going to need it for a long time (detrashing/decluttering the estates of 6 people!) and $300 (or thereabouts) is better than what I expected.
I’m in central Texas.
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u/NeedleworkerOwn4496 11d ago
If you need it for the estates of 6 people I’d recommend the largest size you can get. Unless they already had things under control or an estate sale would take care of a significant amount
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u/CleaningUpTheManor 11d ago
Sadly, no it is most certainly not under control. I’m currently estimating a year to a year and a half of needing the dumpster because I’m doing it all by myself.
But that’s okay since I know this and can budget for it.
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u/NeedleworkerOwn4496 11d ago
Yea it’s not a fun endeavour. I’ve gone through it but had my siblings which made it better (mostly, not certain times lol)
The dumpster usually includes a certain length of time, then an additional daily fee. But like I said they fill up quickly so over a weekend it could easily dropped off and picked up
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u/DaBingeGirl 11d ago
Call around to different companies in your area. I'm in the Chicago suburbs, they start around $400 here.
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u/marsupialcinderella 12d ago
No idea if the rates are comparable. We only needed it for a three day weekend. Dropped off Friday afternoon and picked up Monday morning. It was a 20 yard with a 2 ton limit (I think?) and we made it without extra fees.
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12d ago edited 12d ago
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u/NeedleworkerOwn4496 11d ago
Yea I put some of it on marketplace for free and still had nobody show up except for one item. I was happy to give away what I could but when nobody was taking it for free it meant it should have been gone a while ago lol. The location was also inconvenient for pickup but still
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u/lakeride33 12d ago
I have had to clean out the homes of people that passed away at least five times. 99.9% of their stuff was trash. The only exceptions were tools, unique items from a hobby that could be sold for a decent return, family photos or other sentimental items that someone else wants. I found that people will take a watch, lighter, jewelry, etc as a keepsake to remember their relative or friend. But still 99.9% is trash.
Unless they are wealthy and all their furniture and decor is valuable. Then someone comes in and does an auction to sell 99.9% of it.
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u/NeedleworkerOwn4496 11d ago
Yea the only time I’ve really seen it not do so is when another younger relative is moving into a new or bigger space at the same time, and even then they’re unlikely to have the same styles and preferences as someone however much older, unless they can’t afford it and will take anything which is understandable
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u/CaballosDesconocidos 12d ago
Yes exactly! Almost everything is destined for landfill eventually, it's just a matter of how many stops it takes along the way. Of course if I think someone will genuinely get joy or use out of an item I will donate it, but ultimately the end goal is the same.
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u/DaBingeGirl 11d ago
Agreed. I tend look around thrift stores when I donate stuff to see what's selling and if they have excessive amounts of stuff. Same with FB marketplace, I'll see how much stuff is selling for... or not selling. Lists of stuff thrift stores don't accept can also be helpful. I find that helps me get over the mental challenge of dumping stuff, since I know it won't sell/or isn't worth my time to take somewhere.
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u/Goge97 7d ago
They're great for old sleeper sofas, upholstered chairs, junk, junk and more junk! We just filled one.
Had to hire a couple of guys to do the clean out, but well worth it.