Prep Your Driveway in 10 Minutes

Prepping your driveway before a bin arrives takes about 10 minutes and prevents 90% of the issues we see. Here's the actual checklist — what to clear, what to measure, what to mark, and what to flag when you book. Useful whether it's your first bin rental or your tenth.

What we need from your driveway

A 10-yard or 15-yard roll-off bin is bigger than most people picture. Specifically:

• Clear length: 22–25 feet of straight driveway space (the bin is 11–12 feet, plus the truck needs room to drop it gently)
• Clear width: 8.5 feet minimum — the bin is 7–8 feet wide and the truck needs side clearance
• Clear height above: No tree branches lower than 14 feet over the drop zone (the truck arm reaches up high during placement)
• Stable surface: Asphalt, concrete, gravel, or compacted dirt. We can also drop on grass with permission, but it'll leave marks.
• Reasonable slope: Most driveways are fine. Steep grades (20%+) need a phone call before delivery.

The 10-minute pre-delivery prep

1. Sweep the drop zone

Loose gravel, fallen leaves, kids' toys, garden hose, dog stuff. Ten seconds with a broom prevents the bin from rolling on debris and damaging the surface underneath. If the bin sits on a stick or chunk of gravel for a week, it'll leave a mark.

2. Move the cars

Both the bin location and the path the truck takes to back into the drop zone. Trucks are big. Backing in tightly with cars 6 inches off the path makes everyone nervous. Park on the street or in the garage during delivery.

3. Measure the spot

Pace it off if you don't have a tape measure — average steps are about 2.5 feet. You want 12 feet wide and 25 feet long of clear space for a 15-yard bin (slightly less for a 10-yard). If you're tight, tell us when you book and we'll plan the placement.

4. Look up

Tree branches over the drop zone need to be at least 14 feet up. Power lines, cable lines, anything overhead — make sure the truck arm has room. We've had to reschedule deliveries because of a low branch nobody noticed.

5. Mark obstacles

Sprinkler heads, septic tank lids, well caps, gas meters, propane tanks, low fence posts, garden lights. A piece of tape or a flag on each one prevents accidents. We're careful, but we can't see what's flush with the ground from the truck.

6. Plan the path of travel

Where will the truck come from, back up to, and leave? If your driveway has a sharp angle or a tight gate, walk it once and visualize. Tell us if the truck needs to back in from a specific direction.

Special situations to flag when you book

Decorative or stamped concrete

Beautiful but easy to scratch. We use plywood under the bin's wheels (the "skid plates") to protect the surface. Tell us when you book so we bring extra.

Freshly poured asphalt or sealcoat

If your driveway has been poured or sealed within the last 30 days, the surface is still curing. The weight of a bin can leave permanent indentations. Either delay the bin or place on a non-fresh area. Always mention this when you book — it's the #1 thing people forget.

Underground irrigation, propane lines, or sewer cleanouts

Even if the visible heads are marked, sometimes the lines run through the drop zone and a heavy bin can compress soil. Worth knowing where things run before delivery.

Tree roots and lawn placement

If the bin must go on grass (no driveway space), expect compression and possibly some lawn damage. Tree roots near the surface can be hurt by the weight. Use plywood under the bin to spread the load if you're worried.

Snow, ice, or winter delivery

In Guelph winters, a clear, salted, ice-free drop zone is essential. We won't drop on ice — too risky for the bin sliding and our workers slipping. Shovel and salt the spot before we arrive, including the path the truck backs along.

Condo, townhouse, or HOA driveways

Some boards have rules about visible bins (length of stay, location, screening). Check before booking — a violation notice from the board ruins the savings of doing your own cleanup.

Street placement (rare)

In Guelph and most municipalities in our service area, putting a bin on a public street requires a permit from the city. We deliver to private driveways only. If you have no driveway access, contact your municipality first about street placement.

Where exactly should the bin go?

A few practical tips:

• Top of the driveway, near the garage — closest to the house, easiest for loading. But not so close that pickup is awkward (truck can't reach behind the bin).
• End of the driveway, near the street — easiest for the truck, slightly longer walk for you when loading.
• Side yard or alongside the house — only if there's a clear, level path with adequate width. Most yards aren't suitable.
• Driveway parallel to the street — ideal. Bin sits long-edge along the driveway, doesn't block the path to the garage.

We'll work with you on placement. When we arrive, we walk the spot together if anything's unclear.

After the bin is dropped

Don't move it

Once placed, bins don't move easily. The wheels are designed for the truck-mounted hoist, not for pushing. If you absolutely need to relocate, call us — we can swing by and re-place.

Don't overload it

"Heaped" loads aren't allowed by Ontario transport rules. Loads must be level with the top of the bin walls. We can't pick up an overloaded bin without offloading first — that costs you time and money. If you're worried about size, see our sizing guide.

Watch the weather

If you've got drywall, paper, or anything that ruins in rain, throw a tarp over the bin between fills. Wet drywall doubles in weight (and you might pay a tonnage surcharge).

Don't put hazardous waste in

Paint, propane, asbestos, batteries, fuels — separate disposal channels. See our complete list of what's accepted.

When you're ready

If you've done the prep checklist and know the answers (any decorative concrete? freshly poured? sprinklers? specific drop spot?), the booking call takes 90 seconds.

Call 226.243.5199 or book online. Mention any of the special situations above so we plan the placement before we arrive.