What Size Dumpster Do I Need?
Most homeowners need a 10, 15 or 20 yard dumpster: a 10 for one room or heavy debris, a 15 for a garage or kitchen, a 20 for a whole-house cleanout or roof. Contractors use a 30 or 40 for construction. Pick by volume for bulky junk and by weight for heavy debris.
Updated 2026-11-05 · Your flat-rate quote includes delivery, pickup and a weight allowance, and it is spelled out before you book. No hidden fees.
Size by project
| Project | Usual size |
|---|---|
| One bathroom remodel | 10 yard |
| Kitchen remodel | 15 to 20 yard |
| Garage or basement cleanout | 10 to 15 yard |
| Whole-house cleanout | 20 to 30 yard |
| Roof tear-off, average house, one layer | 20 yard |
| Concrete, brick or dirt | 10 yard (by weight) |
| Deck removal | 10 to 20 yard |
| New home construction | 30 to 40 yard |
| Office cleanout | 30 yard |
| Yard cleanup | 10 to 15 yard |
Typical choices; your debris, packing and the hauler's weight allowance decide the final size.
Three questions that decide the size
How much?
Count it in pickup-truck loads. A 10 yard holds about 3, a 20 about 6, a 30 about 9, a 40 about 12.
How heavy?
Concrete, dirt, brick, tile and shingles are heavy. They need a smaller container and a matching weight allowance.
Where will it go?
Driveway length, overhead clearance and whether it must sit on the street (permit) can rule out bigger sizes.
Still unsure?
Call us with the project. Going one size up can save you a second haul.
All sizes
| Size | Typical dimensions | Pickup-truck loads | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | 12 ft long x 8 ft wide x 3.5 ft high | about 3 | Small cleanouts, a bathroom or small kitchen remodel, a single room of carpet, small deck removal |
| 15 yard | 16 ft long x 8 ft wide x 4 ft high | about 4 to 5 | Garage or basement cleanouts, a mid-size kitchen remodel, small roof tear-offs, flooring for several rooms |
| 20 yard | 22 ft long x 8 ft wide x 4.5 ft high | about 6 | Whole-home cleanouts, most roof tear-offs, larger remodels, deck and fence removal |
| 30 yard | 22 ft long x 8 ft wide x 6 ft high | about 9 | New construction, additions, major renovations, large estate cleanouts |
| 40 yard | 22 ft long x 8 ft wide x 8 ft high | about 12 | Commercial cleanouts, large construction and demolition, big roofing jobs on commercial buildings |
Dimensions and pickup-truck equivalents are typical figures. Exact container sizes, weight allowances and which sizes are available vary by hauler and are confirmed on your quote.
Not sure what size you need?
Call us with the project and we'll size it with you, then book it with a local hauler.