When tackling any major home improvement project, a single place to toss waste and debris can make life significantly easier. A dumpster rental is a major convenience and some larger home projects would be nearly impossible to complete without one. A dumpster can help you complete the work faster while keeping worksites clean and safe.
Standard dumpster sizes are 10-yards, 20-yards, and 30-yards — but how do you know which size is right for your project? In this guide, we’ll share some tips in this guide on how to choose the right one.
Top Factors To Consider When Choosing A Dumpster Size
When renting a dumpster, discuss your project with your rental company to determine the right size. In addition to your budget, there are three major factors you’ll want to consider:
Type Of Waste
Dumpsters make it easy to dispose of waste in bulk — they’re great for bagged trash, building materials, and furniture. Think about the type of waste your project will produce. For example, if it’s large, bulky items, then you might want to consider a larger dumpster size.
Keep in mind, some materials shouldn’t be thrown in a dumpster. Your dumpster rental company will dispose of the contents into a landfill, so anything that causes environmental harm should be recycled. Hazardous waste like chemicals, electronics, tires, and liquids shouldn’t be placed in a dumpster.
Project Scope
The length and scope of your project is also an important factor. If you expect your project to take weeks or months, you may consider a larger size so you won’t have to worry about scheduling a pick-up and replacement during your project. Also consider how much waste you expect to generate. For example, if you’re cleaning out an estate, try to take an inventory of the larger items you’ll need to dispose of to help inform your decision.
The Size Of Your Property
Your dumpster needs to be placed in a convenient location with plenty of room and clearance. You’ll need 20 to 25 feet of vertical clearance above the dumpster, so it can’t be placed under any low-hanging trees or coverings. It’s also recommended you have 10 feet of space on each side of the dumpster to allow for safe removal and make it easy to toss trash inside. If you plan to place the dumpster on the road, you’ll need to determine whether a permit is needed and consider how much space is available.
Dumpster Size Guidelines
Once you’ve considered what you need, then review each dumpster size to decide what’s the best fit. Here are some guidelines and examples:
- 10-Yard Dumpsters – 10 ft x ft x 4 ft
A 10-yard dumpster can hold around 1 ton of waste or the equivalent of 3 to 4 standard truckloads. These are ideal for small bathrooms remodels, small roof replacements, landscaping projects, and small quantities of cement or heavy building materials - 20-Yard Dumpsters – 20 ft x 7 ft x 4 ft
A 20-yard dumpster can hold around 3 tons of waste or the equivalent of 6 to 8 standard truckloads. These are great for medium-sized residential estate cleanouts, larger roof replacements, or large bathroom remodels (if you need to get rid of the bathtub or sinks). - 30-Yard Dumpsters – 20 ft x 8 ft x 5 ft
A 30-yard dumpster can hold around 5 tons of waste or the equivalent of 12 standard truckloads. These are best suited for your larger projects like a large estate cleanout, new home construction, or commercial construction projects. 30-yard cans are also great for kitchen remodels, which require removal of heavy appliances and bulky materials.
How To Rent And Use A Dumpster
After you’ve decided on a size, the final step is to place your order. Simply call your outdoor services company, let them know your size, pick-up and drop-off dates, address, and where you’d like the dumpster placed on the property. It’s not necessary for you to be present during drop-off or pick-up.
When loading a dumpster, all waste and debris should be placed directly inside the container. The container shouldn’t be loaded above the fill line and waste shouldn’t be hanging over the sides; otherwise, your pick-up driver might not be able to haul it away. If you’re planning to dispose of heavy materials, let your rental company know so they can make sure your loaded dumpster doesn’t exceed weight limits.
Ready to schedule your dumpster rental? CFB Outdoors provides timely drop-offs and pick-ups for customers around Central Florida. Give us a call today.