Dumpsters save you the hassle of taking junk to the landfill on your own. They help you get all of your trash together, so that the junk removal company hauls it away. But just how do you know the size of a dumpster that suits your needs?
It’s imperative that you know the size of the dumpster suiting your needs. Overestimating the size means that you’ll pay for extra space you don’t need. On the flip side, underestimating the size means that you’ll fill the container to the brim. And filling it up this way can land you in trouble with the junk removal company. You may be forced to pay a fine for this error. It can also cause a delay in clearing the junk off your premises.
The basic measurement unit for dumpster sizes is cubic yards. The typical sizes offered by junk removal companies range from 10 to 40-yard containers. The standard offerings between 10 and 40 are 20 and 30 yard sizes. However, some junk removal companies and dumpster rentals may offer sizes between these standards.
The junk pick-up services provider you choose can help you in determining the size of the dumpster that suits your project. So, let’s look at the different sizes of dumpsters to understand how you can pick the right one:
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10-Yard Dumpster
This size holds 10 cubic yards of junk. The size of such a dumpster is ideal for different home projects, including a garage clean-out, junk removal, and a collection of yard debris. It can also work with small kitchen and bathroom remodels, as well as minor roof renovations and repairs.
20-Yard Dumpster
The 20-yard dumpster, by name, holds 20 cubic yards of trash/waste. It’s the best option is to use it for a larger garage cleanup exercise, basement cleaning, and any other large junk removal project.
You can also use this dumpster size for carpet removal and change of flooring – even in large homes. In some cases, people use it for deck removal and roof shingles.
30-Yard Dumpster
If you’re planning to perform a major house addition, or a full house junk removal exercise, this is the dumpster for you. It also works perfectly for a home construction project, which means that you can use it in a construction site.
When you’re replacing windows and cleaning up your garage, you can also consider using this size dumpster.
40-Yard Dumpster
This is the largest dumpster you can get for junk removal. It’s meant for advanced and major projects. For some reason, it may not be ideal to use at home. Mostly, people rent it on a commercial level instead. It can help in performing a cleanup that involves sliding replacements and windows in a large home.
It’s also appropriate for commercial roofing projects and clean outs, which tend to have plenty of junk. The 40-yard dumpster may also work where you’re handling new construction projects and junk removal on a massive scale. It’s also the most costly of all the dumpsters.
Keeping Weight in Mind during Junk Removal
As much as you will focus more on the size of the container when choosing a dumpster rental, weight is equally important. Check the weight of the junk you intend to dispose of and let the junk removal company know.
Evaluating the weight of junk helps to avoid damage to your driveway when they bring the dumpster. Unfortunately, this problem affects many who end up destroying their driveways through heavy dumpster loads.
How are Dumpster Sizes Calculated?
Now that you know the available dumpster sizes, wouldn’t it be great if you knew how they arrive at those sizes? A typical dumpster’s exterior is measured in feet, while the volume is cubic yards.
Calculating the size of a dumpster, therefore, takes the multiplication of its exterior dimensions in feet. This involves using length, width, and height. The result is the volume in cubic feet. Afterwards, you’ll divide the result you have in cubic feet by 27. This converts the measurement to cubic yards.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Dumpster for Junk Removal
It’s right to say that estimating the size of your junk is challenging. But that’s where the junk removal companies come in to help. Whatever the project you’re handling, choosing the right size for the dumpster is important.
If you feel stuck about the estimate, feel free to contact the junk removal company and have them send in the pros. They’ll be in a better position to give more accurate estimates.
You’ll get a higher disposal cost, for instance, if you try to squeeze 20 yards of debris inside a 15-yard dumpster. It’s only logical that you have them deliver two 10-yard dumpsters to you for a better junk removal exercise.
Final Thoughts
As you’ve seen above, choosing the right size of a dumpster depends on the project you’re doing. For a small junk removal project, a 10-yard dumpster would do. However, for huge projects, you might want to consider 30 or 40-yard dumpsters.