It's no secret that construction projects are messy. Even when carried out by professionals, any significant project is likely to generate a tremendous amount of trash and waste. For amateurs, this accumulation of garbage can often be overwhelming. If left unchecked, the detritus of construction can quickly get in the way and slow down work significantly. The large amounts of garbage generated by projects of this type can also considerably disrupt day-to-day living in your home.

If you are about to begin a major home renovation, then it's likely that you are already considering how to deal with the waste situation. Aside from choosing a dumpster of the appropriate size and type, this leaves you with a major decision to make: should you rent your dumpster while you work or after your project is over?

Two Schools of Thought

Each option has pros and cons. A dumpster rented at the beginning of the project provides a central place to store waste. By having somewhere to deposit trash as you work, you can keep the space you are renovating clean and minimize the disruption to your home. Unfortunately, early dumpster rentals aren't all sunshine and roses. If you are not confident in your home remodeling skills, then it may be challenging to estimate how long the project will last or how much waste will be generated. Choosing a dumpster that's too small can be costly, as can repeatedly extending your existing rental.

Waiting until the end of your project helpfully sidesteps these two problems. If you rent your dumpster when your project is nearly complete, then you will already know how much waste has been generated. Even better, you will only need to rent the dumpster for long enough to load it full of trash. Unfortunately, this means you will have to store your construction refuse during the project, and keeping your home clean and clear may be that much more difficult.

Which Is Right For Your Project?

Neither option is objectively correct for all projects. When deciding which one is right for you, ask yourself these questions:

• Do you have experience estimating project length?
• Will your project take days, weeks, or even longer?
• Is there a significant chance of your project taking longer than you expect?

As a general rule, it's better to rent a dumpster later if you are unsure of your abilities or the length of the project. If your estimate is significantly off, then you may find yourself renting a dumpster for much longer than you anticipated. On the other hand, renting a dumpster early on can be wise for smaller or shorter projects, or in cases where you are confident in your estimate.

Whatever option you choose, be sure to size your dumpster correctly and rent from a reliable company. Having a dumpster on-site, either during your project or after its completion, is the best way to successfully deal with the enormous amount of garbage created by most major renovation projects. Go to websites of dumpster rental companies to learn more.