Most haulers set their prices by looking at what competitors charge and matching it. That's a recipe for thin margins and constant stress. Real pricing starts with your actual costs — and most haulers don't know their real cost per haul.
This guide brings together everything you need to price profitably: what to charge, what your margins should look like, and the hidden costs that eat into your bottom line.
The Pricing Equation
Every dumpster rental price should cover five things:
- Dump fees — your biggest variable cost. Ranges from $40–$120+ per ton depending on your landfill.
- Fuel — two trips per rental (delivery + pickup), plus landfill run. Average $50–$100 per job.
- Truck payment + maintenance — amortized per job. New trucks: $2,000–$3,500/month.
- Insurance — GL, commercial auto, inland marine. Usually $700–$1,200/month for a small fleet.
- Profit margin — target 25–35%. If you're under 20%, your pricing needs work.
What Good Margins Look Like
Industry-wide, healthy roll-off operations run 25–35% net margins on residential work and 15–25% on commercial/construction. If you're below 15%, something is broken — usually pricing, but sometimes operational waste (empty runs, lost bins, slow invoicing).
The haulers making 30%+ do three things: they know their exact cost per haul, they price by the job (not by the competitor), and they collect fast.
The Hidden Cost: Your Truck
Adding a truck is the biggest capital decision a hauler makes. And most underestimate the true cost. It's not just the truck payment — it's insurance, maintenance, a driver, fuel, and the opportunity cost of the downtime. Before you buy, run the numbers on the full annual cost, not just the sticker price.
Go deeper with the pricing and profitability guides below.
Track Your Real Costs and Margins
Roll-Off Amigo tracks every job cost, bin location, and invoice — so you see your real profit per haul. Free forever for owner-operators.
Try Roll-Off Amigo Free