Roll-Off Dumpster Rental
Steel boxes, dense contractor routes, and construction demand that keeps calling back
Bottom line
Worth studying, but do not buy without strong local proof.
Roll-off dumpster rental businesses drop off temporary containers for construction, roofing, junk removal, and renovation debris, then haul them away for disposal. The surprising angle is how much of the economics come from fleet utilization and routing, not just landfill markups. In fast-growing local markets, a modest fleet can scale into a strong cash-flow machine.
Avg Revenue
$1.2M
Profit Margin
28%
Acquisition Multiple
2.5x - 5x
Startup Cost
$120K - $900K
How It Works
Customers book a dumpster size and rental window, the company delivers the container, hauls it to the dump when full, then cycles it to the next customer. Revenue comes from rental fees, overweight charges, and repeat contractor accounts. Good dispatching, local SEO, and fleet utilization drive the economics.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 562111 · Solid Waste Collection
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | GA | $435K | $512K |
| Jan 2026 | IA | $1.1M | $1.2M |
| Jan 2026 | TX | $1.0M | $1.2M |
| Dec 2025 | OH | $518K | $609K |
| Nov 2025 | PA | $500K | $588K |
| Nov 2025 | IN | $400K | $471K |
| Nov 2025 | IN | $1.9M | $2.2M |
| Nov 2025 | NC | $1.3M | $1.5M |
| Sep 2025 | ID | $150K | $177K |
| Sep 2025 | ID | $15K | $18K |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Strong repeat demand from contractors, roofers, and cleanout crews
- +Can scale by adding containers before adding lots of labor
- +Tangible fleet creates resale value and financing options
- +Simple service model customers understand instantly
Cons
- -Capital intensive, especially for trucks and container inventory
- -Landfill fees and fuel costs can pressure margins
- -Operations break when dispatch and maintenance slip
Best For
Operators who like trucks, local lead generation, and simple but asset-heavy service businesses
Operating Costs
Main costs are hook-lift or roll-off trucks, dumpster inventory, landfill tipping fees, fuel, insurance, driver wages, and maintenance. Utilization and route planning matter more than clever branding.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Marketplace snippet showing a roll-off operation with $400,000 in gross revenue and $325,000 in net revenue
Listing snippet cites a larger roll-off dumpster business with $4.39M in revenue and $1.22M adjusted EBITDA
Search results include niche small roll-off operators with disclosed EBITDA around $350,000
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- route
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Buy price
- $3.0M–$6.0M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Ready to Buy? Start Here →
Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
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