No, a 199 price for a dumpster rental is usually not legit, for one reason or another. Have you seen ads promoting what seem like too good to be true dumpster prices in your area? You’re not alone — these offers pop up across the country, often alongside claims of “cheap dumpster rental.” But here’s the reality: a true flat-rate dumpster rental for $199 is almost unheard of. While some companies advertise this number, it usually only covers part of the cost (like the delivery or haul fee). By the time weight, disposal, and other charges are added, the actual price is much higher.
For a more detailed explanation on this topic, you can also check out our article on Linkedin - Why That $199 Dumpster Rental Probably Isn't The Great Deal You Think It Is.
My name is Paul Stratch, and I am the co-founder of Trash Daddy Dumpsters, headquartered in Arvada, Colorado. With over 10 years of experience in the waste management industry and thousands of dumpster rentals completed all over Denver, up the Front Range of Colorado, as well as many other states, I've seen firsthand how deceptive pricing practices harm consumers. Our corporate office in Arvada serves as the hub for operations across Colorado and our expanding nationwide network, and we're committed to transparency in an industry that often lacks it.
Looking for a dumpster rental in Arvada or the greater Denver area? Visit our Arvada dumpster rental page for transparent pricing and instant online ordering.
If you have questions about dumpster rental pricing or suspect you've encountered a scam, you can reach out to me directly through our contact page or call our Arvada office.
In almost every case, no. A total flat-rate dumpster rental for $199 is virtually nonexistent in the industry. With 15+ years in the dumpster rental business, our team hasn’t seen any legitimate, all-inclusive dumpster rentals at that price point. That’s why we created a quick video breaking it down — so you know what to watch out for before booking.
That doesn’t necessarily mean every company advertising a $199 dumpster rental is running a scam. In some cases, the $199 may only be the haul fee, with disposal and tonnage charges billed separately. While that setup isn’t technically a scam, it is highly misleading. Under this model, the final cost is much higher — often $500 or more once weight and fees are added. Keep this in mind any time you see offers that look unusually cheap.
Unfortunately, some ads for “$199 dumpster rentals” are outright scams. Here’s how they typically work:
We know this because we’ve seen this happen firsthand with customers who came to us after already being charged by these companies.
It's important to note that not every dumpster rental company offering very cheap prices is a scam. We just want everyone to keep in mind that if something seems too good to be true, sometimes it is. And the fact is that in the last few years the number of dumpster rental companies you can find online has increased exponentially. But, many of them aren't "companies" at all. Many are just one or two people with no dumpster rental experience, some are leads providers, and some of them are the same company using different names.
While exact numbers specific to dumpster rental scams are hard to track, consumer protection agencies have documented a sharp rise in misleading pricing practices across home services. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024—a 25% increase from 2023. Online shopping and service scams were among the most commonly reported fraud categories.
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report published over 81,000 reported scams, with online purchase scams accounting for 30.3% of all submissions. Notably, home improvement scams ranked among the top five riskiest scam types, often involving lower than normal charges.
In my 10 years in this industry, I've personally witnessed a dramatic increase in dumpster rental companies pushing misleading information, particularly on platforms like Facebook. Before 2020, these types of deceptive offers were practically nonexistent in the waste management industry. These scams often target homeowners during stressful situations—renovations, moving, estate cleanouts—when they're most vulnerable and need quick solutions.
Not every low price is a scam, but you should always double-check who you’re renting from. Here are three quick ways to separate the legitimate roll-off providers from the risky ones:
1. Look for a real online presence
2. Check reviews and local listings
3. Verify pricing clarity
4. Report suspected scams to local authorities
If you believe you've been scammed by a dumpster rental company, you can report it to:
If you're in Colorado:
Taking these steps helps protect other consumers and builds a record against fraudulent operators.
Most of the time, no. A $199 dumpster rental offer usually only covers part of the cost, like delivery or the haul fee. Once pickup, disposal, and weight are added, the final price often will exceed $500.
In most areas, a roll-off dumpster rental ranges from $450 to $600 depending on size, location, and disposal rates. While you might see cheaper ads, flat-rate pricing in this range is what legitimate companies charge.
Choose a company with flat-rate pricing, real reviews, and a clear online presence. Check their Google Business Profile, look for real photos (not stock images), and avoid websites that seem generic or have vague pricing details.
None of our experienced team has ever seen or heard of a true all-inclusive $199 dumpster rental. Some ads are simply misleading with hidden fees, while others are outright scams. The reality is that most legitimate roll-off rentals cost between $450 and $600, depending on size and location.
The safest way to rent is to work with a company that offers flat-rate pricing, transparent terms, and real customer reviews. That way, you know exactly what you’re paying for before the dumpster arrives.
Headquartered in Arvada, Colorado, Trash Daddy Dumpsters was founded in 2020, but our team has been serving customers across the greater Denver area and all of Colorado with roll-off dumpsters for over 15 years. And we have recently expanded to service other states as well.
We built this company on a simple principle: transparent pricing and reliable service. Whether you're in Arvada, Denver, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, Vegas or many more, you'll get the same honest approach—one flat rate, no surprises, and real people answering the phone.
Still unsure? Order online in minutes — or call us if you’d like help choosing the right size.
