What Size Dumpster Do You Need to Clean Out Your Garage?

Kurt Anderson • 09/25/2022

It’s a chore that most of us avoid until we can’t open the car doors anymore. If you’ve been there before, you know, and if not, we’re talking about cleaning out the garage.

If you only have a small amount of clutter, your trash can may be able to handle the load. But you’ll probably need a dumpster if you are doing a total clean-out on a garage that has taken decades to fill.

Dumpster rentals charge by size and weight and how long you’ll have it. You want to estimate the correct size as closely as possible, so you don’t overspend. We’ll review the most common sizes and what fits into each one. We’ll also let you know how to prepare and the steps to make the filling go faster. And we have tips, so the haul-away goes smoothly. Let’s dive in!

COMMON DUMPSTER SIZES

Having the correct dumpster size for your garage cleanout ensures you won’t overpay. You also won’t have to order another dumpster if you get the right size. There are three main sizes: 10 yards, 15 yards, and 20 yards. Let’s explore the ten-yard dumpster first.

Ten yard Dumpster

A 10-yard dumpster is 10’ long, 7’ wide, and 4’ high. It can hold ten cubic yards or about four pick-up truck loads. It is the smallest rental available and the most common for a basic garage cleanout, and it can hold 2 tons in weight. A 10-yard dumpster is best for small projects and smaller items.

You’ll be able to use a ten-yard dumpster to get rid of used furniture, old wood, and other clutter. You can fit 2,500 – 3,500 sq ft of old carpeting. If you replace drywall, you can fit 1,600 – 2,250 sq ft of drywall that is ½” – ⅝” thick.

How much is a 10-yard dumpster rental? The average nationwide price is $375 to rent for seven days. Of course, the price varies by location and company.

15-Yard Dumpster

A 15-yard dumpster is 11’ long, 8’ wide, and 4.5’ tall. It can hold 15 cubic yards or about 7-level pick-up truck loads. This size is often used for kitchen and bathroom renovations, deck replacements, or an extremely cluttered garage. They can hold up to 3 tons in weight.
You can use a 15-yard dumpster for discarded items after moving, such as furniture and appliances. You can also fit up to 250 sq ft of hardwood flooring or 270-405 sq ft of household junk.

When considering a 15-yard dumpster, you may ask, “How much are dumpster rentals near me?” The average price across the nation is $425 for a week, which will vary by where you live and which company you choose. You’ll also need to ask about added fees if they aren’t included in your quote.

20-Yard Dumpster

A 20-yard dumpster is 11’ long, 8’ wide, and 6’ high. It can hold 20 cubic yards or about 10 level pick-up truck loads. This size is most commonly used for estate cleanouts, heavy renovation debris, and disaster cleanup. They can hold up to 4 tons in weight.

A 20-yard dumpster can be used for 3,000-4,200 sq ft of carpeting, 335-475 sq ft of household junk, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, or countertops.

How much is a 20-yard dumpster rental? The average national rental price is $500 for one week. This is going to change for different locations and different companies.

WHY DO DUMPSTER RENTALS HAVE WEIGHT LIMITS AND NOT JUST SIZE LIMITS?

It may seem to complicate matters, but dumpster weight limits are needed for cost and safety reasons.

Cost Reasons For Dumpster Weight Limits

Dumpster rental companies can’t just charge by the load size. When they transport your load to the landfill or recycler, they will be charged by weight. This means a dumpster filled with countertops and drywall will weigh much more than a dumpster filled with trash and furniture.

Safety Reasons For Dumpster Weight Limits

Even though dumpsters are pretty hardy, they still need to be transported by trucks. These trucks are limited by how much they can safely lift and transport.

HOW TO GET THE MOST FOR YOUR DUMPSTER RENTAL MONEY

Choose The Correct Size
Choose Your Dumpster Location
Level Ground
No Sand
Prepare Your Chosen Location
Mark It
Move Vehicles
Prepare Your Garage Items For The Dumpster
Arrange By Size Or Weight
Reduces The Risk Of Accidental Throw-Aways
Keep A List Of Approved Items And Sizes

BIN THERE DUMP THAT OFFERS ANY SIZED DUMPSTER FOR YOUR GARAGE CLEANOUT

You can see from everything we’ve explained about dumpster rentals that each situation is unique. One person’s garage clutter may fit into a few trash cans, and someone else could fit into a 10-yard dumpster if they had minimal household debris and leftover lumber. Another garage could be so filled with excess renovation debris, household junk, furniture, and drywall that they would need to rent even a 15 or 20-yard dumpster.

You don’t want to pay too much, but you want to be sure you order the correct size to avoid more delivery fees and headaches. If you’re a home or business owner in the metro-Atlanta area looking for a dumpster rental, Bin There Dump That is your best choice possible. Our experienced and respectful customer service agents can answer any question you have beforehand to make sure you are renting the correct dumpster.Bin There Dump That is the only residential-friendly dumpster rental in the metro-Atlanta area. What does this mean? Take a look:

100% driveway protection
Double doors on the loading side for easy walk-in loading. No heaving lifting over the dumpster rim
Post-job clean up
Unique trucks and bins that allow access other companies can’t offer. Our 10-yard dumpsters are no bigger than an average parking space
Our bins are designed for your driveway, but we guarantee no damage!
All fees are included. The only fluctuation in your quote will be the weight of your load and we’ll help you to estimate that.

We brag about our customer service from your first call to the time of the dumpster removal. In fact, you don’t even need to be home when we deliver or pick up the dumpster. And, we’re the only dumpster rental company that does a post-job cleanup to catch any items or debris that accidentally got under the dumpster. When we pick up, you’ll never be able to tell we were there!

So no matter which size dumpster you decide on for your dumpster rental in Atlanta, Bin There Dump That Atlanta will make cleaning out your garage this time a lot easier!

Contact us today to get your dumpster rental quote started. You’ll be one step closer to the garage of your dreams!

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About The Author Kurt Anderson

We have provided clean and green dumpsters to the Metro Atlanta area since 2012 we take great pride in our family first approach. We have lived, grown, and raised our children here in Atlanta, and love being able to work in such a great community. Same-day dumpster delivery and 100% driveway protection are just a couple of the traits that separate this family-owned business from other dumpster providers in Atlanta!