Quick Answer: 10-yard for small cleanouts (single room, bathroom remodel). 15-yard for kitchen remodels, medium garage/basement cleanouts. 20-yard for full home cleanouts, roofing, or large renovations. When in doubt, go one size up — swap fees cost more than the next size up.
The Three Sizes Explained
10-Yard Dumpster (4,000–6,000 lb capacity)
Roughly 3 pickup-truck loads of debris. Best for:
- Single-room cleanouts (bedroom, basement, garage)
- Bathroom remodels (tear-out only)
- Small landscaping projects
- Concrete or dirt only (because weight maxes out first)
15-Yard Dumpster (6,000–8,000 lb capacity)
About 5 pickup-truck loads. Best for:
- Kitchen remodels
- Medium garage or basement cleanouts
- Multi-room flooring replacement
- Mid-size deck demolition
- Most full-home estate cleanouts where you’re keeping major furniture
20-Yard Dumpster (8,000–10,000 lb capacity)
About 6–7 pickup-truck loads. Best for:
- Whole-home cleanouts
- Full residential roofing tear-offs
- Large renovations
- Commercial cleanouts
How to Estimate Volume Quickly
Pickup-truck load = 2.5 cubic yards (filled level). Visualize how many trips it’d take to haul everything yourself, multiply by 2.5, then round up one size.
Why Sizing Up Wins
The $50–$100 difference between sizes is less than a swap fee if you guessed wrong. If you’re between sizes, go bigger.
When to Size Smaller (Heavy Material)
For concrete, dirt, or roofing shingles — heavy materials — sometimes a 10-yard is the right call even for high volumes, because weight maxes out before volume. Talk through your specific debris with Junk Nurse for the right call.
Got a project? Call (630) 294-1340 or request a free quote. The price we quote is the price you pay — Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm.