If you manage a garden-style or mid-rise community, you've probably been pitched valet trash as an amenity. The pitch is usually about convenience. The decision is about math. Here's how pricing actually works, so you can compare proposals on equal terms.
It's billed per unit, on every unit
Valet trash providers almost always charge a flat monthly fee per apartment, billed on all units at the property — not just occupied ones and not just residents who opt in. That's what makes the service viable: the provider staffs the route for the whole community every night.
The community then decides whether to pass a valet trash fee to residents, usually as a required monthly amenity fee in the lease. That fee is the property's decision, not the vendor's.
What drives the rate
- Unit count. Larger communities get lower per-unit rates; small properties usually carry a monthly minimum to cover travel and supervision.
- Nights per week. Five nights is standard. Six or seven nights adds labor and costs more.
- Walking time per door. Tight breezeway buildings are faster than spread-out buildings with long walks and many stairs.
- What's included. Corral leveling, recycling, pet stations and reporting may be bundled or billed separately — compare line by line.
What residents typically pay
Industry pricing guides commonly put the resident-facing valet fee in the range of roughly $25–$35 per month, and the provider's rate to the property well below that. The gap between the two is new revenue to the owner. Check what comparable communities in your submarket charge before setting your fee.
The NOI math
Monthly gain = (resident fee − provider rate) × units. Annual gain = monthly gain × 12. Because NOI is capitalized into property value, even a modest monthly spread can move valuation meaningfully on a larger community. Use our calculator to run your own numbers.
What to compare between proposals
- Is the rate per unit on all units, and are there minimums?
- What happens if they miss a night — is a service credit written into the agreement?
- Is there a backup porter on every route?
- What does the morning report include, and when does it arrive?
- Who handles bulk items and trash-outs — the provider's own crews, or a referral?
- Annual price escalator, term length and renewal notice period.
- Insurance: general liability limits, workers' compensation, and additional-insured status for your community and management company.
Trash Chief puts all of this in writing in a proposal delivered within 48 hours of the walkthrough.
Want the numbers for your community? Use the NOI calculator or request a proposal.
More guides
- Switching Valet Trash Providers Without a Gap in Service
- What a Valet Trash Contract Should Include
- Valet Trash Resident Rules: A Template for Property Managers
- How to Stop Illegal Dumping at Apartment Dumpster Corrals
- The Apartment Trash-Out Checklist: Turn Units Days Faster
- Apartment Dryer Vent Cleaning: What Property Managers Need to Know
- Apartment Storage Room Cleanouts Before Inspections