The most common question we get — and the one that matters most, because the wrong size costs you either wasted money on air or a second haul fee. Here's how we size cans on the phone every day.
Think in pickup loads
One cubic yard is roughly a washing machine. A 15-yard dumpster holds about 4–5 full pickup truck loads; a 20-yard about 6; a 30-yard about 9; and a 40-yard about 12. Stand in front of your pile and count trucks — you'll land within one size.
Match the project, not the pile
- 15-yard: one-room projects — a bathroom gut, a small shed, a single-car garage cleanout.
- 20-yard: the workhorse — kitchen remodels, most re-roofs, two-car garage cleanouts, whole-home decluttering.
- 30-yard: whole-house guts, demolition, large commercial shingle jobs.
- 40-yard: volume plays — TPO tear-offs, insulation, commercial cleanouts. Heads up: 8-foot sides make hand-loading tough.
When you're between sizes
Dense debris (tile, plaster, shingles)? Take the smaller can — you'll hit weight before volume. Bulky light debris (furniture, insulation, brush)? Take the bigger can — you'll hit the fill line long before the scale matters.
The honest answer
Describe your project when you book online or call (386) 243-4447 — we size cans all day and we'd rather get it right than upsell you.