Dumpster Size Comparison

The 20-yard dumpster is by far the most popular size for residential projects. It handles whole-house cleanouts, kitchen and bathroom renovations, roofing tear-offs up to 25-30 squares, and deck demolitions. Its 4.5-foot sidewalls make loading easy without a ladder, and it fits in standard residential driveways.

Both containers have the same footprint (22 feet long, 7.5 feet wide), so they take up the same driveway space. The difference is height: the 20-yard has 4.5-foot sidewalls while the 30-yard has 6-foot sidewalls, giving it 50% more capacity. Choose the 30-yard when your project generates more debris than a typical home cleanout.

Choosing the right size is more cost-effective than choosing the smallest size. If you order a dumpster that is too small and need a second delivery, the total cost will be significantly more than if you had ordered one size larger from the start. When in doubt, size up.

A quick method is to count pickup truck loads. One cubic yard is roughly one-third of a full-size pickup truck bed. So if you estimate your debris would fill 6 pickup truck loads, a 20-yard dumpster is the right fit. Our size calculator tool can also help you estimate based on your project type.

If your dumpster fills up before your project is complete, call us and we will swap it for a larger size or deliver a second container. If you overestimated and the dumpster is mostly empty, the price is the same, but you will have peace of mind knowing you had enough space.

Yes. All of our roll-off dumpsters are 7.5 to 8 feet wide, which fits standard residential driveways. The 10 and 12-yard models are just 12 feet long, while the 20, 30, and 40-yard containers are 22 feet long. You need approximately 60 feet of clear length for the delivery truck to place the container.

Yes. Each size includes a weight allowance that scales up: 1 ton for the 10 and 12-yard, 1.5 tons for the 15-yard, 2 tons for the 20-yard, 3 tons for the 30-yard, and 4 tons for the 40-yard. Roofing shingles reach that allowance well before the container is physically full, so tell us it's a roofing job and we'll quote the tonnage right. Heavy material like concrete, dirt, or brick goes in dedicated 10 to 20 yard boxes with separate rates, so call for a quote on those loads.

The 10-yard dumpster has the lowest price, typically $495-$650 all-in. However, the best value depends on your project. Ordering a 10-yard when you actually need a 20-yard means paying for two deliveries, which costs more than ordering a single 20-yard from the start.