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What does it cost to end your waste contract early?

Most hauling agreements charge liquidated damages for leaving before the term ends: a number of months of your average bill. Enter your figures and pick the formula your agreement uses to see the charge, and how it compares with the cap Maine sets for small-container contracts.

Average monthly charge ($)Average of your last six invoices, fees included, as most formulas use.

Whole months left in the current termThe renewal window calculator shows when the term ends.

Which term are you in?

The initial term

A renewal term

Your agreement's formula

Average monthly charge × the lesser of 6 or the months left
The structure in WM's published commercial terms (Canada): six months' average charges when six or more months remain, otherwise the months left.

Average of the last 6 invoices × the lesser of 6 (initial term), 3 (renewal term) or the months left
The structure in Republic Services' published customer service agreement terms.

Monthly charge × every month left in the term
Some agreements charge the full balance of the term. Read yours: it is the most expensive form.

A fixed multiple of the monthly charge
Enter the multiple your agreement states (for example 3).

Multiple, if fixed optional

Before you pay to leave

Is the window close? Non-renewal inside the notice window costs nothing. Waiting a few months can be cheaper than the charge.
Has the hauler breached? Repeated missed pickups, documented with a written demand, can open a penalty-free exit under some terms.
Did prices go up? WM's published terms let you end the agreement without liquidated damages within 30 days of a consensual price increase notice.
Are you in Maine? State law caps the charge for small-container contracts at three times the current monthly charge.

Each point is sourced on the liquidated damages page and in state and local rules.