Size & cost guide

What size dumpster do I need? With real LA prices.

Roll-off dumpsters run from 3 to 40 cubic yards. The right one depends on your project and how heavy the debris is. Here's what fits in each size, real local prices from our LA County haulers, and how to avoid paying for space — or weight — you don't need.

Get a free quoteLast updated June 2026
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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 projectBest size
Small cleanout, a few pickup-truck loads3 yard
Single room, small garage, deck removal10 yard
Full-room remodel, kitchen/bath, larger garage15 yard
Whole-home cleanout, big remodel, roof tear-off20 yard
New construction, commercial demo, estate clear-out40 yard
Concrete, dirt, brick, or asphalt (heavy)6–12 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.

SizeWhat it fitsReal local price (from)
3 yardSmall cleanouts, a few truckloads of debris, tight drivewaysfrom $250
10 yardSingle-room or small-garage cleanout, small remodel, deck removalfrom $520
15 yardFull-room remodels, kitchen/bath renos, larger garage cleanoutsfrom $620
20 yardWhole-home cleanouts, large remodels, residential roof tear-offsfrom $720
40 yardNew construction, commercial demo, major cleanoutsfrom $920
6–12 yd lowboyHeavy debris only: concrete, dirt, brick, asphaltfrom $520
Prices vary by hauler and city — for example, a 3-yard starts at $250 with our Long Beach hauler. You'll always see the specific hauler's real price for your ZIP before you book.

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 & cityNational site estimateReal local price
10-yard, West Covina$735$520
10-yard, La Puente$383–$653$520
Entry-size, Long Beach~$495 minimum$250 (3-yard)
Real prices from local haulers — not national markup. Final pricing is confirmed by the hauler and varies with size, distance, weight, and dump fees.

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.

Frequently asked

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 6–12 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.

Keep reading

Related guides.

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