The 30-second size picker
If you only read one section, read this. Match your project to the closest row, when you're between two sizes, go one up. Renting the next size is almost always cheaper than overfilling a small bin and paying for a second pickup.
| Your project | Best size |
|---|---|
| Small cleanout, a few pickup-truck loads | 3 yard |
| Single room, small garage, deck removal | 10 yard |
| Full-room remodel, kitchen/bath, larger garage | 15 yard |
| Whole-home cleanout, big remodel, roof tear-off | 20 yard |
| New construction, commercial demo, estate clear-out | 40 yard |
| Concrete, dirt, brick, or asphalt (heavy) | 6 to 12 yard lowboy |
Every size, what fits, and real prices
These are real starting prices from verified local haulers in our network, with a 7-day rental included. They're estimates, the hauler confirms the final total based on your address, distance, and debris, but they're real local numbers, not national placeholders.
| Size | What it fits | Real local price (from) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 yard | Small cleanouts, a few truckloads of debris, tight driveways | from $250 |
| 10 yard | Single-room or small-garage cleanout, small remodel, deck removal | from $520 |
| 15 yard | Full-room remodels, kitchen/bath renos, larger garage cleanouts | from $620 |
| 20 yard | Whole-home cleanouts, large remodels, residential roof tear-offs | from $720 |
| 40 yard | New construction, commercial demo, major cleanouts | from $920 |
| 6 to 12 yd lowboy | Heavy debris only: concrete, dirt, brick, asphalt | from $520 |
Heavy debris: concrete, dirt, and asphalt
Heavy material is about weight, not volume. A standard roll-off filled with concrete would be far too heavy to haul legally, so dense debris goes in a smaller, reinforced container called a lowboy, typically 6 to 12 yards.
Every container includes a set tonnage. If your load goes over that weight, there's an overweight fee (commonly around $125 per extra ton in our markets). Lowboys are often flat-rated for heavy material, so ask your hauler how yours is priced.
Mixing heavy and light? Tell the hauler up front. Putting dirt or concrete in a general roll-off can lead to overweight charges or a refused pickup.
What a dumpster actually costs (and why ours is lower)
National booking sites quote estimated, marked-up prices and route your call to whoever pays them most. Because Container Connect connects you straight to local haulers with no broker markup, the real price is usually lower for the same size and city. A few real comparisons:
| Size & city | National site estimate | Real local price |
|---|---|---|
| 10-yard, West Covina | $735 | $520 |
| 10-yard, La Puente | $383 to $653 | $520 |
| Entry-size, Long Beach | ~$495 minimum | $250 (3-yard) |
How to not overpay
Right-size it: one size up beats a second haul, but don't jump two sizes for space you'll never fill.
Keep it on the driveway: private-property placement needs no city permit, which saves a fee and the paperwork. (See our LA County permit guide.)
Watch the weight: keep heavy debris in a lowboy and stay under the included tonnage to avoid overweight fees.
Use the full window: the standard rental is 7 days, there's no penalty for finishing early, so call for pickup whenever you're done.
Quick answers.
What size for a garage cleanout?
A 10-yard handles most single-car garage and single-room cleanouts. A packed two-car garage may need a 15 or 20-yard.
What size for a roof tear-off?
Shingles are heavy, so weight drives the size. A 20-yard covers many residential tear-offs, confirm the weight allowance with your hauler.
How much does it cost?
Real local prices start around $250 (3-yard) up to about $920 (40-yard), 7-day rental included. You see the hauler’s real price before booking.
What size for concrete or dirt?
Heavy debris goes in a 6 to 12 yard lowboy, not a standard roll-off, because of weight limits. Your hauler will match the right one.
Should I get a bigger one than I think I need?
Slightly, yes, one size up is cheaper than a second haul. But don’t overshoot by two sizes.
Related guides.
How much does it cost?
Real 2026 LA County prices, what's included, the fees to watch for, and how to pay less.
Read the guideRenting for a roof tear-off?
Why roofing is sized by weight, the real prices, and how to avoid overweight fees on shingles.
Read the guideDoing a garage cleanout?
The right size, real prices, and no-permit driveway placement for the most common cleanout job.
Read the guideDo I need a dumpster permit?
When street placement needs a permit, what it costs, and the right public-works contact in every city we serve.
Read the guide