When you’re remodeling, clearing out your house before a move, or simply getting rid of rubbish, renting a dumpster is a is not just essential, it is a necessity.
However, figuring out the correct size for your project and the amount of waste is a major challenge. If you rent a dumpster larger than you need, you end up spending more than you should. And you may be charged for overload if you rent a dumpster that is too small for your waste.
How Do I Know What Size Dumpster to Rent?
The size of the dumpster you rent is determined by the amount of waste you need to dispose of. Luckily, dumpster rental sizes vary little from one firm to the next. Before we dive deeper, it is vital to know the Average Cost of Dumpster Rental. This will help you get an accurate budget and know if you need to donate or sell some useful waste before renting a dumpster.
The most difficult element of deciding on a dumpster size is estimating how much space you’ll need. We’ll walk you through the most common sizes of dumpsters and how to determine the actual size of dumpsters needed for your waste.
Common Dumpster Rental Sizes: A Quick Guide
Aside from the services they provide, most dumpster rental businesses have a similar selection of dumpster sizes. Although there may be some variation depending on the firm you’re considering and the unit available in your location, these sizes when figuring out the size of dumpster you may need.
2 Cubic Yard Dumpster
A two-yard dumpster is a long-term container for garbage collection in a specific place. These containers are intended to fit almost any environment and are ideal for companies who want a bin in confined areas such as alleys.
Plastics, paper, cardboard, metal, and food waste are all popular recyclables and waste products that can be placed in these dumpsters.
Appliances, industrial garbage, computers, and toxic waste are all prohibited from being thrown away in the dumpster. We have put together a few articles to guide you on hazardous waste disposal.
6 Cubic Yard Dumpster
Small, uncomplicated home building jobs are appropriate for the cost-effective 6-yard dumpster rental. This dumpster is the right solution for you and your project whether you’re doing a studio apartment remodel or spring cleaning. This dumpster has a compact layout that can carry over 3,000 pounds of waste and is 6.5 feet in length, 6 feet wide, and 5.1 feet tall.
The optimal compromise is a 6-yard dumpster. It has the capacity to hold a reasonable volume of garbage. You can’t use it for large tasks like a total house renovation, but it’s ideal for most one- or two-room tasks.
10 Cubic Yard Dumpster
The dimensions of a 10 cubic yard dumpster are approximately 17 feet long x 7.5 feet wide x 3.5 feet tall, with a capacity of 4,000 to 6,000 pounds. It is one of the smallest trash rental sizes dumpsters. It is often used to dispose of heavier waste, such as brick, or concrete, and can hold small-scale cleanups as an attic or garage cleanout.
A 10-yard dumpster may carry up to ten cubic yards of material. To put it another way, that’s around four pick-up truck loads of trash. There are also 10-yard dumpster bulky boxes available for concrete disposal. A heavy-duty 10-yard dumpster can hold up to 10 tons of concrete in one pull, whereas standard 10-yard dumpsters can only hold 2 tons.
15 Cubic Yard Dumpster
15 cubic yard dumpster is 16 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.5 feet tall, with a capacity of 4,000 to 6,000 pounds. It is capable of holding up to 6 pickup truck loads.
This dumpster is ideal for modest to medium-sized residential and commercial projects involving bulky items. It is used in both residential and commercial projects in the metro area. This trash container is an excellent option for interior residential remodels such as bathrooms or kitchens. This compact dumpster rental is ideal for decluttering the entire house, garage, and yard.
20 Cubic Yard Dumpster
20 cubic yard dumpster is 22 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.5 feet tall, with a capacity of 6,000 pounds, or roughly 8 pickup truck loads.
Due to its four-foot side walls and the accompanying ease of disposal, a 20-yard container is perfect for large residential renovations with four-foot side walls. Every side of the dumpster has an open top and a huge door at the back. With the option to stroll in the first several loads of trash, you’ll be able to make the most of the available space. This medium-sized dumpster will easily fit on most driveways.
30 Cubic Yard Dumpster
30 cubic yard dumpster is 22 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 6 feet tall, with a capacity of 7,000 to 10,000 pounds. It can hold up to 12 pick-up truckloads.
The most usual usage of a 30-yard dumpster is on building sites for renovations and other whole-house building projects, as well as entire house cleanouts. This dumpster, at 22 feet long, will sit on most driveways without extending over the sidewalk. The increased weight limit makes it possible to dispose of big amounts of rubbish and bulky things with ease.
40 Cubic Yard Dumpster
A 40 cubic yard dumpster is approximately 22 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and eight feet tall, with a capacity of 10,000 to 12,000 pounds. It can hold up to 14 pick-up truckloads.
A 40-yard dumpster is the biggest container available. Because the eight-foot-tall sidewalls make it impossible to dispose of trash on residential properties, this dumpster size is most commonly seen at commercial building sites where the most volume is required for garbage disposal. This is great for disposing of big volumes of debris generated during renovations demolitions, or new construction.
Dumpster Size Comparison and Average Rental Price
| Dumpster Size | Dimension | Weight Limit | Average Rental Price Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Cubic Yard | 6.5 ft x 6 ft x 5.1 ft | 400 pounds | $20 – $40 |
| 6 Cubic Yard | 6.5 ft x 6 ft x 5.1 ft | 1,200 pounds | $40 – $60 |
| 10 Cubic Yard | 17 ft x 7.5 ft x 3.5 ft | 4,000 – 6,000 pounds | $50 – $130 |
| 15 Cubic Yard | 16 ft x 7.5 ft x 4.5 ft | 4,000 – 6,000 pounds | $60 – $150 |
| 20 Cubic Yard | 22 ft x 7.5 ft x 4.5 ft | 4,000 – 6,000 pounds | $70 – 170 |
| 30 Cubic Yard | 22 ft x 7.5 ft x 6 ft | 7,000 to 10,000 pounds. | $90 – $205 |
| 40 Cubic Yard | 22 ft x 7.5 ft x 8 ft | 10,000 to 12,000 pounds. | $100 – $235 |
How to Choose the Right Dumpster Size?
Now that you’re familiar with the sizes of dumpsters offered, it’s time to determine the size needed for your project. Here are some suggestions to help you narrow it down.
Consider the Nature of the Project
The size of the dumpster you rent is mostly determined by the sort of task you’re doing. If you’re renovating your entire home, for example, you’ll need a lot more space than if you’re only getting rid of a few furniture pieces before a move.
Before contacting a dumpster rental provider, try to ascertain the scope of your job as much as possible. This way, they can start guiding you on the proper path from the very beginning.
Make a List of Everything You’ll Need to Discard.
Pre-move cleanouts are among the most difficult chores to estimate dumpster rental sizes. In such cases, making a list of the precise objects that need to be thrown away in the dumpster is the most effective approach to estimating the size you’ll need.
You don’t have to start hauling stuff out of closets and drawers just yet, but walk room by room, wardrobe by wardrobe, and so on, making a mental inventory of what you’ll get rid of. Is there any furniture, appliances, or carpets on the list that are bulky or large? Will you tidy up the yard and the home at the same time? Keep these points in mind since the more items—especially huge items—you have to dispose of, the larger the dumpster rental you’ll require.
Inquire About an On-site Inventory.
Nobody understands how to predict dumpster rental sizes more than the individuals who originally rented them to you. Enquire about on-site inventory while picking a rental provider. The majority of them will be happy to visit your home, analyze your needs, and provide an assessment based on what they observe.
However, keep in mind that on-site inventories are only estimates, not certainties. It will be your responsibility to bear the cost of a backup dumpster if you add more items and the dumpster isn’t large enough.
What You Should Know About Dumpster Rentals
By now, you should have a decent idea of what size dumpster you’ll need—or at the very least, how to figure it out. Keep the following variables in mind when making your reservation:
The price varies. As you might think, the cost of renting a dumpster varies substantially based on the size and length of time you require it. According to HomeGuide, the typical cost of waste removal services is between $150 and $350, though costs may range anywhere from $70 to 750. When it comes to pricing, the largest determining element is generally how much room you end up filling up in the trash.
You can’t just throw anything out in the dumpster. Because hazardous items are not permitted, the standard dumpster rental method of “if you can fit it, we’ll take it” does not apply to all situations. Anything combustible or poisonous falls into this category, such as motor oil or old paint, contaminants, and oil drums and tanks.
If you have hazardous waste like motor oil, you might want to see How to Dispose of Motor Oil.
Another alternative is to use a truck to transport your waste. If you need trash removed but don’t want a dumpster on your property, a truck haul can be a better option. This service, which is provided by many of the same dumpster rental businesses, involves professionals arriving on your site with a dumpster strapped to the back of a vehicle. They immediately fill it up and take it all away in one go.
