I used to rent dumpsters when I first got into tear offs. Bought a old dump trailer a few years ago for $900 used it on about 20 jobs and sold it for $400. In late 03 bought a 14 yard dump trailer for $6K brand new and the other day bought the exact same trailer as the 03 but instead payed $7,600 for a 09 14 yard. The new one is a lot nicer than the older one.
The savings with the dump trailer are very nice. Last year I made 55 trips to the dump and paid $2,700 in dump fee's. Now figure the average dumpster costs $300 to rent per job by 55 jobs, $16,500. Now add for my time figure 1.5 hours per load there and back and at the dump, 82.5 hours or two weeks of work. Figure each dump load runs half a tank of fuel which is on the high side, 660 gallons, or about $2,000 in fuel. The dump trailer is right now getting the original brakes worked on and the trailer is still running it's original tires. Last year didn't buy tires for the dually, ordered the backs yesterday.
Now figure direct cost versus dumpster rental.
$16,500 for renting a dumpster, at the end of the year it's a nice big write off, that's it.
$2,700 for dump fee's ($5-6 a yard)
$2,000 for fuel ($3 per gallon 07)
$4,700 in direct cost out of pocket
$11,800 saved.
82.5 hours worked to save $11,800 would be $143 an hour for my time.
I make a lot more than that per hour on the roof but at the end of the year I get the tax write off plus I still got an asset, the trailer. What I usually do is plan to meet with adjusters and home owners the same day as going to the dump. Also have a 20ft flat bed which works well with log chains which I use but usually rent out which brings in extra money.
Back to the original posters questions. I charge the insurance companies $48-51 a square for tearing off and hauling away. If charged seperate the dumpster fee would range from $300-450.
The last dumpster I rented sat in front of a millionairs lakes homes three garage stalls for three weeks. The driver got pulled over by the DOT on the way in due to road restrictions. The home owner called them and said if they don't get it off his land in 24 hours he would through it in the ditch with his front end loader. If I would have hauled in the dump trailer none of that mess would have ever happened. It's nice when you leave the drive way is swept clean and no nails are left. The storm chasers seem to know how to do it best. Rarely ever see them with dumpsters on site.