What Size Dumpster Do I Need? Complete Selection Guide

Understanding Dumpster Sizes: Quick Overview

Dumpster sizes are measured in cubic yards—the volume of debris they can hold, not the length or weight. Think of it like measuring pool capacity: 10 cubic yards, 20 cubic yards, etc. Here's what's available for residential and light commercial use:

Decision Tree: What Size Dumpster Do You Need?

Use this step-by-step flowchart to narrow down the right dumpster size for your project:

Project-by-Project Dumpster Size Recommendations

Here are detailed recommendations for 20+ common project types, including what to expect for debris volume:

Kitchen Renovations

Recommended Size: 20 Yard

A full kitchen gut (cabinets, counters, appliances, flooring, drywall) generates 15-20 cubic yards of debris. A 20-yard dumpster handles this comfortably with room for unexpected extras. Small galley kitchens might fit in a 15-yard, but it's tight—and risking a second rental to save $50 isn't worth it.

Bathroom Renovations

Recommended Size: 15 Yard

Standard bathrooms (5×8 to 8×10) with full gut (tub, toilet, vanity, tile, drywall) fit easily in a 15-yard. Even master bathrooms work if you break down bulky items. Only size up to a 20-yard if renovating 2+ bathrooms simultaneously.

Roofing Projects

• 15-20 squares (single layer): 15 Yard
• 25-35 squares (single layer): 20 Yard
• 40+ squares or multi-layer: 30 Yard

Note: Shingles are heavy (~250 lbs per square). Large roofs may incur overage fees regardless of dumpster size. Budget for $75-125 per extra ton.

Flooring Projects

• 800-1,000 sq ft: 15 Yard
• 1,200-1,500 sq ft: 20 Yard
• Whole-home (1,800+ sq ft): 30 Yard

Flooring debris (carpet, hardwood, tile, underlayment) stacks well but adds up quickly. Include room for tack strips, baseboards, and old adhesive materials.

Deck or Patio Removal

• 200-300 sq ft deck: 15 Yard
• 400-500 sq ft deck: 20 Yard
• 600+ sq ft or concrete patio: 30 Yard (or 10 Yard for heavy concrete)

Cut lumber into 4-foot sections to maximize space. Concrete patios are heavy—use a smaller dedicated dumpster to avoid weight overage fees.

Whole-Home Renovations

Recommended Size: 30 Yard

Gutting 3+ rooms or an entire house generates 25-30+ cubic yards easily. Cabinets, flooring, drywall, fixtures, appliances, trim—it all adds up fast. A 30-yard prevents mid-project rental swaps and keeps work on schedule.

Garage or Shed Cleanouts

Recommended Size: 15 Yard

Typical garage cleanout (boxes, old furniture, tools, miscellaneous items) fits in a 15-yard. If you're clearing decades of accumulation or demo-ing the structure itself, size up to a 20-yard.

Basement or Attic Cleanouts

• Minimal items (boxes, small furniture): 15 Yard
• Moderate items (years of storage): 20 Yard
• Full estate cleanout (decades of accumulation): 30 Yard

Estate or Foreclosure Cleanouts

• 1-2 bedroom home: 20 Yard
• 3-4 bedroom home: 30 Yard
• Hoarder situation: Multiple 30 Yard rentals or phased approach

Estate cleanouts are unpredictable. Furniture, appliances, boxes, clothing, and miscellaneous items pile up. When in doubt, size up.

New Construction

Recommended Size: 30 Yard

Ongoing construction generates continuous debris: framing lumber scraps, drywall offcuts, packaging materials, and general job site waste. A 30-yard sits on site for weeks or months, reducing pickup frequency and keeping crews productive.

Window or Door Replacement

Recommended Size: 10 or 15 Yard

Replacing 5-10 windows or doors produces minimal debris (old frames, trim, glass). A 10 or 15-yard is sufficient and cost-effective.

Siding Removal

• Partial (1-2 walls): 15 Yard
• Whole house (1,500-2,000 sq ft): 20 Yard
• Large home (2,500+ sq ft): 30 Yard

Old siding (vinyl, wood, aluminum) is bulky but light. Volume adds up quickly on large homes.

Carpet Removal

• 1-2 rooms: 10 Yard
• Whole house (1,000-1,500 sq ft): 15 Yard
• Large home (2,000+ sq ft): 20 Yard

Carpet and padding roll up but take significant volume. Include room for tack strips and old baseboards.

Tile or Hardwood Removal

• Single room (200-400 sq ft): 10 Yard
• Multiple rooms (800-1,200 sq ft): 15 Yard
• Whole house (1,500+ sq ft): 20 Yard

Tile is heavy. Watch weight limits, especially for ceramic or stone tile. You may hit tonnage caps before filling the dumpster by volume.

Fence Removal

• 50-100 linear feet: 15 Yard
• 150-200 linear feet: 20 Yard
• 200+ linear feet: 30 Yard

Cut fence sections to 4 feet or less to maximize dumpster space. Wood fencing is relatively light and stacks well.

Landscaping & Yard Waste

• Light debris (branches, leaves, brush): 15-20 Yard
• Heavy materials (dirt, concrete, rocks): 10 Yard (weight limits!)
• Large tree removal or land clearing: 30 Yard

Green waste is light by weight but takes up space. Heavy earth materials hit tonnage caps fast—use a smaller dedicated dumpster.

Concrete or Asphalt Removal

Recommended Size: 10 Yard

Concrete and asphalt are extremely heavy (4,000+ lbs per cubic yard). A 10-yard dumpster designed for heavy materials is more cost-effective than undersizing a larger dumpster and paying massive overage fees. Never put more than 1-2 cubic yards of solid concrete in a standard residential dumpster.

Appliance Disposal

Recommended Size: 10 or 15 Yard

Disposing of 3-5 appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves) requires minimal volume. A 10 or 15-yard is sufficient. Note: Appliances with refrigerants (AC units, freezers) may require special disposal—check with your hauler.

Furniture Disposal

• Single room (couch, chairs, tables): 10 Yard
• Multiple rooms (bedroom sets, living room): 15 Yard
• Whole house furniture: 20 Yard

Break down bulky items (remove legs, disassemble frames) to maximize space. Mattresses and couches take up significant volume.

Office or Commercial Cleanouts

• Small office (1,000-2,000 sq ft): 20 Yard
• Large office or retail (3,000+ sq ft): 30 Yard
• Multi-unit renovation: 30 Yard or multiple rentals

Cubicles, desks, filing cabinets, and old equipment add up quickly in commercial spaces. Size for maximum volume to avoid workflow interruptions.

How to Calculate Volume for Your Project

Estimating debris volume helps you choose the right size. Here are three methods:

Method 1: Pickup Truck Load Method (Easiest)

Visualize how many full-size pickup truck loads your debris would fill:

• 4-5 truck loads → 10 Yard
• 6-7 truck loads → 15 Yard
• 8-10 truck loads → 20 Yard
• 12-15 truck loads → 30 Yard

This is approximate but surprisingly accurate for most homeowners. If you've ever hauled debris to the dump yourself, you already know how many trips it takes.

Method 2: Room-Based Estimation

Use these rough estimates for standard room demolitions:

• Bathroom (full gut): 3-5 cubic yards
• Kitchen (full gut): 12-15 cubic yards
• Bedroom (flooring + drywall): 4-6 cubic yards
• Living room (flooring + drywall): 6-8 cubic yards
• Basement/attic cleanout: 10-15 cubic yards

Add up room totals, then add 10-20% buffer for unexpected debris. Round up to the nearest dumpster size.

Method 3: Material-Based Calculation

Calculate volume by material type and quantity:

• Drywall: ~1 cubic yard per 400 sq ft
• Flooring (carpet/hardwood): ~1 cubic yard per 300 sq ft
• Tile: ~1 cubic yard per 200 sq ft (heavy, watch weight)
• Roofing shingles: ~1 cubic yard per 3-4 squares
• Cabinets: ~0.5 cubic yards per cabinet (broken down)

Sum material volumes and add 20% for packaging, trim, and miscellaneous items.

Weight Considerations: Volume vs. Tonnage

Here's a critical point many people miss: volume and weight are different. Dumpster size (cubic yards) measures space, but weight limits (tons) restrict how much you can load. Most rentals include 1-4 tons depending on size. Exceed this, and you pay overage fees—typically $75-125 per extra ton.

Heavy Materials: Weight Trumps Volume

If your debris is dense (concrete, dirt, brick, tile, shingles), you'll hit weight limits before filling the dumpster. In these cases:

• Choose a smaller dumpster: 10 or 15 yard with lower tonnage caps saves money vs. paying for unused volume in a larger dumpster.
• Budget for overages: Heavy material projects often exceed included tonnage. Add $75-125 per anticipated extra ton to your budget.
• Separate materials: If you have both heavy (concrete) and light (wood, drywall) debris, rent two dumpsters—one small for heavy, one larger for light. This maximizes efficiency and minimizes overage fees.

Light Materials: Volume is King

If your debris is light and bulky (furniture, cardboard, wood framing, insulation, carpet), weight is rarely an issue. Focus on volume capacity to ensure everything fits.

Mixed Debris: Layer Strategically

For projects with both heavy and light materials, load heavy items first (tile, fixtures, appliances), then layer lighter materials on top (drywall, wood, insulation). This distributes weight evenly and maximizes both volume and weight capacity.

Cost Comparison: Sizing for Value

Understanding cost differences helps you size appropriately without overpaying or undersizing. Here's the pricing ladder:

Cost vs. Capacity Analysis

• 15 to 20 yard upgrade: +$50 for 33% more capacity. Excellent value if project is borderline.
• 20 to 30 yard upgrade: +$100-150 for 50% more capacity. Worth it for large projects or volume uncertainty.
• Second rental cost: $350-600 depending on size. Undersizing by one level often costs MORE than upgrading upfront.

Common Sizing Mistakes to Avoid

After years in the dumpster rental business, I've seen these mistakes repeatedly. Learn from others' experiences:

Mistake 1: Underestimating Volume

Homeowners consistently underestimate debris volume. Demo generates more waste than you think—drywall dust, packaging, trim pieces, and unexpected finds add up. Always add a 20% buffer to your estimate.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Weight Limits

Choosing a dumpster based only on volume without considering weight leads to expensive overage fees. Know your material type (light vs. heavy) and included tonnage before booking.

Mistake 3: Choosing Based on Price Alone

Saving $50 on a smaller dumpster sounds smart—until you need a second rental for $400. Base your decision on capacity needs first, cost second.

Mistake 4: Not Planning for Bulky Items

Furniture, cabinets, and appliances take up more space than you expect, even when broken down. Account for these bulky items in your volume calculation.

Mistake 5: Forgetting About Access and Placement

A 30-yard dumpster is great—unless your driveway can't fit 22 feet of container. Measure your placement area and check overhead clearance (power lines, tree branches) before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size dumpster do I need for a kitchen remodel?

Most kitchen remodels require a 20 yard dumpster. A full kitchen gut (cabinets, counters, appliances, flooring, drywall) generates 15-20 cubic yards of debris. Small galley kitchens might fit in a 15-yard, but the $50 savings isn't worth the risk of overfilling.

What size dumpster for a bathroom renovation?

A 15 yard dumpster is perfect for a standard bathroom renovation. It handles tubs, toilets, vanities, tile, drywall, and flooring with room to spare. Even large master bathrooms fit comfortably. Only size up to a 20-yard if renovating multiple bathrooms simultaneously.

What dumpster size for roofing projects?

Roofing size depends on roof area: 15-20 squares = 15 yard, 25-35 squares = 20 yard, 40+ squares or multi-layer = 30 yard. Shingles are heavy (~250 lbs per square), so budget for potential overage fees on large roofs.

How many cubic yards is a pickup truck?

A full-size pickup truck bed holds approximately 2-2.5 cubic yards when loaded level with the bed rails (not heaped). This means a 20 yard dumpster = 8-10 full pickup loads.

Can I put a couch in a dumpster?

Yes, furniture like couches, mattresses, chairs, and tables are acceptable in most dumpster rentals. Break down bulky items (remove legs, disassemble frames) to maximize space. Avoid prohibited items like appliances with refrigerants.

What happens if I choose the wrong dumpster size?

If you undersize, you'll need to rent a second dumpster for overflow (costing $350-600 more) or risk overfilling (which delays pickup and may incur fees). If you oversize, you pay $50-150 more upfront but waste some capacity. Undersizing costs more than oversizing.

How do I calculate what size dumpster I need?

Use the pickup truck method (estimate how many truck loads), room-based estimation (3-5 yards per bathroom, 12-15 per kitchen), or an online calculator. Add a 20% buffer to your estimate and round up to the nearest size. When in doubt, size up one level.

Is a 20 yard dumpster big enough for a whole house cleanout?

It depends on house size. A small 1-2 bedroom home with moderate belongings fits in a 20-yard. Larger 3-4 bedroom homes or heavy accumulation requires a 30-yard. Estate cleanouts with decades of belongings almost always need a 30-yard (or multiple rentals).

What size dumpster for concrete removal?

Use a 10 yard dumpster designed for heavy materials. Concrete weighs ~4,000 lbs per cubic yard, so you'll hit weight limits fast. Never put more than 1-2 cubic yards of solid concrete in a standard residential dumpster—overage fees will be massive.

Can I change dumpster sizes after ordering?

Most companies allow size changes before delivery at no extra charge. After delivery, you can request a swap, but this typically incurs additional delivery and pickup fees ($100-200). Get the size right upfront to avoid extra costs.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Dumpster Size

Choosing the right dumpster size comes down to understanding your project scope, estimating debris volume accurately, and accounting for both capacity and weight. Most residential projects need a 20 yard dumpster—it's the workhorse size that balances capacity and cost for kitchens, roofing, and multi-room renovations. Smaller projects (bathrooms, flooring, cleanouts) work well with a 15 yard, while large projects (whole-home renos, new construction, estates) require a 30 yard.

The golden rule: when in doubt, size up one level. The $50-150 upcharge is cheap insurance against needing a second rental mid-project ($350-600). I've helped hundreds of customers, and no one has ever regretted having a little extra space. Many have regretted undersizing.

Ready to find the perfect size for your project? Use our volume calculator for a precise estimate, or contact TNT Dumpsters for expert guidance. We'll help you choose the right size the first time—no upselling, just honest advice and transparent pricing.