How Many Dumpsters Should I Start With for My Dumpster Rental Business?

Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU
Jul 7
2 min read

One of the most common questions new entrepreneurs ask when launching a dumpster rental business is: “How many dumpsters do I need to start?”

The answer depends on your budget, market demand, and business goals. Starting with the right number of dumpsters can help you stay lean, profitable, and scalable.

At Wexford Insurance, we specialize in dumpster rental insurance and work with business owners across the country. In this blog, we’ll help you determine the ideal number of dumpsters to start with—and how to grow from there.

What’s the Ideal Number of Dumpsters to Start With?

Most new dumpster rental businesses start with 2 to 5 dumpsters. This range allows you to:

Serve multiple customers at once
Test your local market
Keep startup costs manageable
Generate enough revenue to reinvest

💡 Want a full startup guide? Download our eBook: “How to Start a Dumpster Rental Business”

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Factors to Consider When Deciding How Many Dumpsters to Buy

1. Your Budget

Each dumpster costs around $4,000–$5,000. Starting with 3 dumpsters could cost $12,000–$15,000 just for inventory.👉 Check out our blog: How Much Does It Cost to Start a Dumpster Rental Business?

2. Your Market Size

Are you in a small town or a growing metro area? Research local demand by talking to contractors, builders, and homeowners.

3. Dumpster Turnover Rate

If you can rent each dumpster for $500/week and turn them over quickly, you may not need as many to start.

4. Storage Space

Do you have room to store unused dumpsters? If not, starting small may be smarter.

5. Insurance and Operating Costs

More dumpsters = more risk. Make sure you’re covered with the right dumpster rental insurance.

Scaling Your Dumpster Inventory

Once you’ve validated your market and built a customer base, you can scale by:

Reinvesting profits into new dumpsters
Adding different sizes (10-yard, 20-yard, etc.)
Expanding into nearby service areas

External Resources to Help You Plan

Final Thoughts

Starting with the right number of dumpsters is key to launching a successful and sustainable business. Most new owners find that 2 to 5 dumpsters strike the perfect balance between affordability and opportunity.

At Wexford Insurance, we help dumpster rental businesses protect their investments and grow with confidence. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, we’re here to help.