Choosing the right dumpster size saves you money and prevents headaches. Here's how to pick the perfect dumpster for your project.
Why Dumpster Size Matters
Renting a dumpster that's too small means you'll need a second one — doubling your cost and delaying your project. Renting one that's too big means you're paying for space you don't use. The goal is to match the dumpster size to your debris volume and project type.
At Dumpster Exchange, we offer three sizes: 10-yard, 20-yard, and 30-yard. Here's how to figure out which one is right for you.
10-Yard Dumpster: Small Projects
A 10-yard dumpster holds roughly 3 pickup truck loads of debris. At about 14 feet long, it fits easily in most driveways and is ideal for projects with moderate debris volume.
Best for: garage cleanouts, single-room remodels, small roofing jobs (up to 25 squares of shingles), yard waste removal, and shed demolition.
If you're doing a small bathroom remodel or cleaning out a garage, the 10-yard is usually the right call. It's our most affordable option and doesn't take up much space.
20-Yard Dumpster: The Sweet Spot
The 20-yard is our most popular size — it handles about 6 pickup truck loads and fits in most standard driveways at 22 feet long.
Best for: kitchen remodels, deck removal (up to 400 sq ft), estate cleanouts, medium roofing projects (30-40 squares), and full home flooring replacement.
If you're renovating multiple rooms or clearing out an entire house, the 20-yard gives you enough volume without the footprint of a 30-yard. Most homeowners end up choosing this size.
30-Yard Dumpster: Major Projects
The 30-yard holds about 9 pickup truck loads and is built for high-volume debris. At 22 feet long but 6 feet tall, it's significantly larger than the 20-yard.
Best for: whole-home renovations, new construction, large estate cleanouts, commercial cleanouts, major landscaping, and large demolition projects.
Choose a 30-yard when you're generating a lot of debris and want to avoid swap-outs. It's also the most cost-effective per cubic yard if you have the space for it.
Quick Estimation Tips
Rule of thumb: each room of furniture (furniture, appliances, boxes) fills about 3-4 cubic yards. So a 3-bedroom house cleanout typically needs a 10-15 yard dumpster, while a full house cleanout with furniture needs a 20-30 yard.
For roofing: 1 square of shingles (100 sq ft) fills about 0.3 cubic yards. A 2,000 sq ft roof (20 squares) generates about 6 cubic yards of debris — so a 10 or 20-yard works well.
When in doubt, size up. It's cheaper to rent one slightly larger dumpster than to need a second one delivered mid-project.
