How to Prepare Your Property for a Dumpster Delivery
Clear a flat, hard-surfaced spot at least 15 feet long by 10 feet wide, make sure there's roughly 12 feet of clearance for the delivery truck to maneuver, and move any vehicles, low branches, or overhead wires out of the way. That's genuinely most of it — the rest is just deciding exactly where you want the container placed before the truck arrives.
Pick the Right Spot Before the Truck Shows Up
The best spot is a flat driveway, parking pad, or other hard surface — not your lawn, and not gravel that shifts under weight. If your driveway can't fit the container, you'll likely need it in the street, which usually means checking with your town office first (see our NH permit guide for what that typically involves). Think about which direction you'll be loading from too — a container placed far from where the debris actually is just means more walking every trip.
Clear the Path, Not Just the Spot
Delivery trucks need more room to maneuver than the container itself takes up. Move cars out of the driveway, trim back any low branches along the route in, and flag anything overhead — power lines, basketball hoops, low eaves — that a truck backing in might not clear. If your property has a gate or narrow access point, measure it and mention the width when you book.
Protect the Surface Underneath
A loaded container is heavy, and repeated trips over the same spot in soft asphalt (especially on a hot day) can leave marks. Every delivery includes protective boards under the container as standard — driveway protection isn't something you need to ask for.
Know What's Going In Before It Arrives
Check our what can and can't go in a dumpster guide before delivery day, especially if your project involves paint, batteries, appliances, or anything you're not sure about.
FAQ
Do I need to be home for delivery?
No — most customers aren't on-site when the container arrives. Tell us where you want it placed when you book, and the driver handles the rest.
What if I'm not sure my driveway is big enough?
Measure the width and mention it when you book. Our drivers can usually work with tighter spaces than people expect, especially with our hook truck fleet.
Can the truck drive on my lawn if my driveway is full?
Generally no — we avoid driving delivery trucks across lawns. Let us know ahead of time if your driveway is genuinely too full so we can talk through the options.
Have Questions About Your Project?
Send us your info and we'll follow up with pricing once you have more details.