One of the most common questions we get is, “What size dumpster do I need?” It’s a great question because getting the wrong size is a headache. The wrong size is also the #1 source of the extra fees nobody warns you about. Get one too small, and you’re stuck with a pile of trash you can’t get rid of. Get one too big, and you’ve paid for space you didn’t use. Let’s simplify it. Here is the general rule of thumb we use for our customers in the Madison area.
10-yard dumpster specs and pricing: The “Small-But-Mighty” Choice This is perfect for those “weekend warrior” projects. Maybe you’re redoing one bathroom, or you’re finally clearing out the attic. It’s small enough to fit in a standard residential driveway without taking up the whole street.
15-yard dumpster full details: The “Middle Ground” This is one of our most popular sizes. It’s great for bigger home cleanouts or a medium-sized kitchen renovation. It gives you a little more breathing room than the 10-yard, so you aren’t playing “Tetris” with your trash. A few packing tricks that fit more into every load can even let you size down.
20-yard dumpster specs: The “Workhorse” Doing a major whole-house renovation? Moving out of a house you’ve lived in for 20 years? This is the one. It can handle a lot of furniture, flooring, and debris. If you’re doing a larger project, don’t settle for the 10-yard; the 20-yard will save you the trouble of having to rent two smaller ones.
30 Yard Dumpster and 40-yard dumpster capacity details: The “Heavy Hitters” These are for the big jobs. If you’re doing a full-scale demolition, a major commercial building project, or roofing shingle disposal, you need the space. These bins are built for volume.
Still Not Sure? We’ve seen just about every type of project imaginable. You don’t have to guess. If you’re standing in your kitchen or your yard looking at the pile, take a picture and send it to us. Or just give us a call and describe what you’re tossing. We’ll be the first to tell you if you can get away with a smaller size—we aren’t here to upsell you on something you don’t need. We just want to make sure your project goes smoothly.