How to Choose the Right Dumpster Size for Your Project

Understanding Dumpster Sizes

Dumpster sizes are measured in cubic yards, which represents the volume of debris the container can hold. While this measurement is standard across the industry, visualizing what it means for your project can be challenging.

10-Yard Dumpster

Dimensions: 12 feet long x 7.5 feet wide x 3.6 feet high

Capacity: 10 cubic yards (approximately 3 pickup truck loads)

Weight Limit: Up to 3,000 pounds (1.5 tons)

Ideal Projects:

•Small bathroom remodels

•Single room cleanouts

•Garage decluttering

•Small landscaping projects

•Minor roofing repairs (up to 1,500 sq ft)

The 10-yard dumpster is our most compact option, making it perfect for Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach homes with smaller driveways. Its lower height makes loading easier without needing to lift items over your head.

15-Yard Dumpster

Dimensions: 14 feet long x 7.5 feet wide x 4.5 feet high

Capacity: 15 cubic yards (approximately 5 pickup truck loads)

Weight Limit: Up to 4,000 pounds (2 tons)

Ideal Projects:

•Full roof replacements (up to 3,000 sq ft)

•Kitchen or bathroom gut renovations

•Medium home cleanouts (2-3 bedrooms)

•Deck removal

•Flooring replacement projects

The 15-yard dumpster is our most popular size in Jacksonville. It provides significantly more capacity than the 10-yard while still fitting in most residential driveways.

20-Yard Dumpster

Dimensions: 14 feet long x 7.5 feet wide x 5.8 feet high

Capacity: 20 cubic yards (approximately 7 pickup truck loads)

Weight Limit: Up to 4,000 pounds (2 tons)

Ideal Projects:

•Whole-house cleanouts

•Large construction projects

•Major home renovations

•Commercial cleanouts

•Estate cleanouts

•Storm debris cleanup

The 20-yard dumpster handles the biggest residential projects. Popular in Clay County and St. Johns County where larger properties are common.

How to Estimate Your Debris Volume

Method 1: The Room Count

For cleanout projects, use this rough guide:

•1 room = 10-yard dumpster

•2-3 rooms = 15-yard dumpster

•4+ rooms or whole house = 20-yard dumpster

Method 2: The Pickup Truck Comparison

If you have ever loaded a pickup truck with debris, use this conversion:

•3 pickup loads = 10-yard dumpster

•5 pickup loads = 15-yard dumpster

•7 pickup loads = 20-yard dumpster

Method 3: Square Footage for Roofing

For roofing projects, base your choice on roof size:

•Up to 1,500 sq ft = 10-yard dumpster

•1,500-3,000 sq ft = 15-yard dumpster

•3,000+ sq ft = 20-yard dumpster

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Going Too Small

The most common mistake is underestimating debris volume. Once a dumpster is full, you will need to pay for a swap or haul-away and get a second dumpster. This costs more than renting the larger size from the start.

Tip: When in doubt, go one size up. The price difference is usually less than the cost of a second dumpster.

Ignoring Weight Limits

Cubic yard capacity and weight limits are different constraints. Heavy materials like concrete, dirt, roofing shingles, and drywall can hit weight limits before filling the container.

Heavy Material Guidelines:

•Concrete/brick: 10-yard maximum, load only 1/4 full

•Dirt/sand: 10-yard maximum, load only 1/3 full

•Roofing shingles: Account for 100-200 lbs per square

Forgetting About Access

Make sure the dumpster you choose will fit in your delivery location:

•Measure your driveway length and width

•Check for overhead obstructions (tree branches, power lines)

•Ensure the delivery truck can access your property

When to Call Us

Still not sure which size you need? Call 904 Dumpster at (904) 240-5598. Describe your project and we will recommend the right size based on our experience with similar Jacksonville-area projects. We would rather help you choose correctly than have you pay for the wrong size.