Business

Everything You Need to Know Before Renting a Dumpster

Published

5 years ago

September 29, 2021

Renting a dumpster can help you with a multitude of tasks, from renovation to decluttering in anticipation of a move. While it’s not hard to find a reliable dumpster rental company, there are some things you’ll need to know before renting a dumpster; for example, you’ll need to know the size of the dumpster you need and become familiar with regulations dictating what you can and can’t discard in them.

Fortunately, you can learn everything you need to know to rent a dumpster in a relatively short period of time.

Why Rent a Dumpster?

There are several good reasons to rent a dumpster, including:

Renovation. Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or other area of your house will likely leave you with old appliances and waste material.
Landscaping. Landscaping work can churn up bushes, trees, and other plants that won’t go away on their own.
Disaster cleanup. Fires, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters tend to leave a path of destruction, along with piles of debris, in their wake; dumpsters are perfect for cleanup.
Moving. Dumpsters are ideal for clearing out old junk before moving.
Decluttering. Even if you’re not moving, decluttering the house can help you feel better and take better advantage of your living space – and a dumpster can help you do it.

Size and Spec Considerations

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when renting a dumpster is determining what size to get (and what type of dumpster to get in general).

Volume. Different types of dumpsters offer different sizes and loading capacities. For example, a standard 10 cubic yard dumpster is about 17×7.5×3.5 feet and it can hold about 4,000 to 6,000 pounds. At the other end of the spectrum, a 40 cubic yard dumpster is roughly 22×7.5×8 feet and it can hold upwards of 12,000 pounds. The bigger your project, the bigger the dumpster you’re going to need – and you shouldn’t risk overloading it.
Materials. Some types of materials need a specific type of dumpster. For example, some dumpsters are designed for landscaping or for certain types of materials that don’t belong in a standard dumpster.
Placement. Where are you going to place the dumpster? Dumpsters are often bigger than renters imagine; you’ll need to have a spot in mind before renting.

Appropriate and Responsible Disposal

Next, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with what you can and can’t throw into a dumpster. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t dispose of things in a dumpster that you wouldn’t throw in with regular trash. For example, you should never throw away old electronics, recycling them instead. You also shouldn’t throw away paint, gasoline, or other hazardous materials. Read a full guide on the subject before planning your dumpster rental.

Other Tips

Here are some other miscellaneous tips that can help you with your dumpster rental:

Shop around. There are likely many different competing dumpster rental companies in your area. They may offer different prices, different sizes of dumpster, or different perks and additional services with rentals. Shop around before committing to your choice.
Measure twice. Size is one of the most important considerations when renting a dumpster, so it’s something you need to be sure about. Measure all the big items you plan to get rid of (if you can) so you can come up with an accurate forecast of your volume needs. You’ll also want to measure an outline of the dumpster you’re considering so you can see if it will conveniently fit in the space you intend for it. You don’t want to be stuck with a dumpster that’s too big or too small.
Do your prep work. It pays to do some prep work in advance. Prepare the area for the dumpster so you’re not scrambling at the last minute and try to go through some of your items before the dumpster arrives. The better you understand your project, the more efficiently it’s going to flow.
Lift responsibly. It’s easy to hurt yourself when lifting heavy objects, especially if you don’t have much experience. Make sure you lift with your knees (rather than your back), use proper equipment, and don’t take on more than you can handle. While you’re at it, take frequent breaks.
Get help. Finally, consider getting help. Whatever your project is, it’s going to be much easier and more manageable if you have more people participating in the process. Consider calling on roommates, friends, family members, and neighbors for some assistance – or hire a pro to do the job for you.

A dumpster can make your life considerably easier, and the rental process is a breeze if you know what you’re doing. After a bit of research and a bit of planning, you’ll be in a position to take full advantage of this additional asset.

Business

Click for Counsel: YesLawyer Wants to Make Lawyers as Accessible as Wi-Fi

Published

1 week ago

April 1, 2026

Matthew Wiles

Photo Courtesy of: YesLawyer

Byline: Andi Stark

For many people facing a legal problem, the most difficult part is not understanding their rights but finding a lawyer willing to speak with them in the first place. Long wait times, unclear pricing, and administrative hurdles often delay even the most basic consultations. YesLawyer, an AI-enabled plaintiff firm operating across all 50 states, is testing whether technology can shorten that gap.

Founded in 2024 by 25-year-old entrepreneur Rob Epstein, the platform offers free intake, automated screening, and, in many cases, same-day conversations with licensed attorneys. The idea is simple: reduce the friction between a client’s first request for help and an actual legal discussion. In this interview, Epstein explains how the system works, where artificial intelligence fits into the process, and what problems the company is trying to address in the broader legal system

Q: When you say you want lawyers to be “as accessible as Wi-Fi,” what does that mean in practical terms?

A: It’s a way of describing speed and availability. Someone dealing with a workplace dispute, a serious injury, or an immigration issue should be able to move from an online form or phone call to a real conversation with counsel in hours, not weeks. YesLawyer is structured so that a client begins with a free case evaluation, goes through automated conflict checks and basic screening, and, in many instances, speaks with a lawyer the same day.

Q: How does the process work once someone contacts the platform?

A: We use a structured workflow. It starts with a short questionnaire and an initial conversation to capture basic facts. That information feeds into conflict checks and internal review. The system then proposes a match with a licensed attorney and provides a calendar link for a virtual consultation, often within 24 hours. After the meeting, the client receives a written legal plan outlining next steps, deadlines, and estimated fees.

Q: Where does artificial intelligence fit into that process, and where does it stop?

A: AI is used for organizing and routing information, not for giving legal advice. It helps with conflict checks at scale, case categorization, and structured summaries so attorneys can focus on the substance of the matter. Every consultation is conducted by a licensed lawyer, and all decisions about strategy or next steps are made by humans.

Q: What problem is this model trying to solve in the current legal system?

A: Delay and cost are still major barriers. Many civil plaintiffs face long waits just to get a first appointment, along with high retainers and hourly billing that make early legal advice risky. We try to respond with faster consultations, flat-fee options, and financing. The idea is to remove administrative friction so lawyers spend less time on logistics and more time speaking with clients.

Q: Some critics say platforms like this blur the line between a technology company and a law firm. How do you describe YesLawyer?

A: We describe ourselves as a national, AI-enabled plaintiff firm that connects clients with independent attorneys. That structure does raise regulatory questions, especially around responsibility and oversight. We focus on licensing verification, attorney-written case plans, and clear communication about fees and services.

Q: You’ve said the main bottleneck is “systems” rather than people. What do you mean by that?

A: The issue isn’t that lawyers don’t want to help more people. It’s that the systems around them make it hard to scale their time. Intake, scheduling, and document handling take hours. Automating those parts means attorneys can handle more matters without being overwhelmed by repetitive tasks.

Q: Does this model risk favoring only the most profitable cases?

A: That’s a real concern in legal technology. Automation often works best for repeatable, high-volume disputes. Our view is that lowering administrative cost can actually make it easier to take on smaller or more complex cases that might otherwise be turned away. Whether that holds over time depends on the data.

Measuring Impact Over Time

YesLawyer’s attempt to compress the timeline between inquiry and consultation reflects broader changes in how legal services are being delivered. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in administrative work, firms are experimenting with new ways to reduce wait times and clarify costs.

The company’s early growth suggests that many clients value faster access to an initial conversation, even before considering long-term representation. Whether this platform-based model becomes widely adopted or remains one of several emerging approaches will depend on regulatory developments, lawyer participation, and measurable outcomes for clients. For now, YesLawyer’s experiment highlights a central question in modern legal practice: how quickly can help realistically be made available to the people who need it.