What Size Dumpster Do I Need for My Long Island Project?
The most expensive dumpster mistake is ordering one that's too small and having to pay for a second pickup. Here's how to get it right the first time.
Choosing the wrong dumpster size is a frustratingly common (and avoidable) mistake. Order too small and you're calling for a second pickup — adding cost and delaying your project. Order too large and you've overpaid for capacity you didn't need.
We offer four sizes: 10, 15, 20, and 30 yards. "Yards" refers to cubic yards — the volume the container holds. A 10-yard dumpster holds about 10 cubic yards of debris, which is roughly equivalent to 4-5 full pickup truck loads.
Below is a complete breakdown of each size, what projects it fits, and what it won't handle. When in doubt, the golden rule is: go up one size. The price difference between adjacent sizes is small. The cost of ordering a second pickup is not.
Dumpster Sizes: A Complete Breakdown
10-Yard Dumpster
Approx. 12 ft long × 8 ft wide × 4 ft tall
10 cubic yards
4–5 pickup truck loads
Best for: Small cleanouts, single room, minor bathroom demo
Typical projects
- Single room cleanout
- Small bathroom renovation
- Deck boards and fencing removal
- Attic or crawlspace clear-out
- Garage clean-sweep (not a full cleanout)
Not recommended for:
Multi-room renovations or anything with large volumes of debris
Pro tip
This is the smallest size we offer. If you're unsure whether 10 yards is enough, it probably isn't — consider the 15.
15-Yard Dumpster
Approx. 16 ft long × 8 ft wide × 4.5 ft tall
15 cubic yards
6–8 pickup truck loads
Best for: Full room cleanouts, kitchen or bathroom gut, medium yard projects
Typical projects
- Kitchen gut renovation
- Full bathroom demo
- Two-room interior cleanout
- Basement clear-out (moderate volume)
- Large yard or landscaping project
Not recommended for:
Major whole-home renovations or large construction jobs
Pro tip
Our most popular residential size. Fits standard driveways and handles most homeowner projects.
20-Yard Dumpster
Approx. 22 ft long × 8 ft wide × 4.5 ft tall
20 cubic yards
9–12 pickup truck loads
Best for: Large renovations, multi-room cleanouts, contractor jobs
Typical projects
- Large kitchen or great room renovation
- Full-home flooring replacement
- Multi-room demo project
- Large estate or hoarding cleanout
- Roofing tear-off (moderate size)
Not recommended for:
Extremely heavy materials (concrete, brick) — those can exceed weight limits quickly
Pro tip
Step up to this from a 15 when you're confident you'll fill it. The cost difference between sizes is modest.
30-Yard Dumpster
Approx. 22 ft long × 8 ft wide × 6 ft tall
30 cubic yards
14–18 pickup truck loads
Best for: Major construction, whole-home renovations, large commercial cleanouts
Typical projects
- Whole-home gut renovation
- Large roofing and siding project
- New construction framing waste
- Commercial or industrial cleanout
- Major landscaping and grading
Not recommended for:
Most residential driveways — confirm you have space before ordering
Pro tip
This is a contractor-scale container. Check that your driveway can accommodate the length before ordering.
"When you're between sizes, always go up. The cost difference between adjacent sizes is modest. The cost of a second dumpster is not."
— Mike Sorrento, Founder, Long Island Junk Co.
Quick Size Reference by Project Type
Note on heavy materials
Concrete, brick, stone, dirt, and similar dense materials are heavy by nature. All dumpsters have weight limits — typically measured in tons. A container can appear half-empty and still exceed its weight limit if it's filled with concrete. If you're disposing of significant amounts of heavy material, let us know when you book so we can discuss the right approach.
When Junk Removal Beats a Dumpster
A dumpster is a self-service product — you do the loading, we supply the container. For some jobs, full-service junk removal is actually the faster and more cost-effective choice:
Frequently Asked Questions
The 15-yard is our most-rented size for homeowners. It's large enough for a full room cleanout or a bathroom renovation, but small enough to fit a standard driveway without blocking traffic.
Usually not for your own driveway. If the dumpster goes on a public street or in front of another property, you'll likely need a town or village permit. We can advise based on your specific location — just ask.
Standard rental is 7 days. Most customers use it 3-5 days. We can extend for an additional daily rate if you need more time — just call us before your rental period ends.
Yes. Drywall, lumber, tile, and roofing materials are all accepted. Heavy materials like concrete, brick, and dirt may require a separate quote since they're priced by weight and can exceed standard weight limits quickly.
Hazardous materials (paints, solvents, chemicals), electronics, tires, and freon-containing appliances cannot go in the dumpster. For freon appliances, we offer a separate certified removal service.
Call us. We can swap out a full container for an empty one. To avoid this situation, we recommend going up one size when you're between options — the cost difference is usually modest compared to the hassle of ordering a second dumpster.
Not sure which size? Just call us.
Describe your project and we'll recommend the right size. Same-day and next-day delivery available across Nassau and Suffolk County.