The most common question we get in Detroit is simple: “what size dumpster do I need?” Pick too small and you're paying for a second haul; too big and you're paying for air. Here's how to get it right the first time.
Match the size to the job, not the guesswork
Roll-off dumpsters are measured in cubic yards. The number — 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 — is how much material the container holds. A 10-yard holds about three pickup-truck loads; a 20-yard about six; a 40-yard about twelve. The trick is matching that volume to how much debris your project actually produces, and keeping heavy material like concrete and shingles in the smaller sizes so you don't hit weight limits. Full dimensions are on our sizes & pricing page.
The 10-yard: small, heavy, or tight spaces
A 10-yard dumpster (about 12′ × 8′ × 3.5′) is right for a single-room cleanout, a small bathroom remodel, or heavy debris like dirt, brick and concrete. If your material is dense, this is usually the size — the container fills by weight long before it fills by volume. It also fits on short driveways.
The 15–20 yard: most home projects
This is our most popular range in Detroit. A 20-yard handles a whole-home cleanout, a large kitchen or bath remodel, flooring removal, or a standard roof replacement on a mid-size house. If you're doing a residential cleanout or a renovation, start here.
The 30–40 yard: construction and big renovations
For new construction, major renovations, demolition or ongoing commercial jobs, step up to a 30 or 40-yard. These are built for bulky, lighter debris — framing, drywall, packaging and light demo waste — where volume runs out before weight does. Note the 40-yard is 8 feet tall, so plan on tossing material in from a ladder or a trailer.
Roofing is a special case
Shingles are deceptively heavy. A tear-off that looks small by volume can blow past a container's weight limit fast. We size roofing jobs for weight, not just square footage — more on that in our roofing tear-off guide.
Quick reference
- Garage or single room: 10-yard
- Bathroom or small kitchen remodel: 10–15-yard
- Whole-home cleanout or estate: 20-yard
- Roof tear-off (up to ~30 squares): 15–20-yard (weight!)
- Dirt, concrete, brick: 10-yard only, and ask about the weight limit
- New build or major reno: 30–40-yard
Still not sure? That's what we're here for
You don't need to become a dumpster expert. Tell us the project — the rooms, the material, the timeline — and we'll pick the size, quote a flat price, and get it on your driveway, often the same day.
Get sized right in one call
Describe your Detroit project and we'll recommend the size and quote a flat price.
📞 Call (313) 397-0178