What Size Dumpster Do I Need? 11 vs. 20 vs. 30 vs. 40 Yard

A Mobile Storage Guides

Picking the right dumpster size saves money: too small and you pay for a second haul, too big and you pay for space you never fill. A Mobile Storage rents four roll-off sizes in Sumter, Columbia, and across South Carolina. Here is how they compare and which one fits your project.

Roll-off dumpsters in several sizes ready for delivery

Roll-off dumpster sizes at a glance

Size Dimensions (L × W × H) Best for
11 yard 12 ft × 8 ft × 3.5 ft Small cleanouts, single-room remodels, tight driveways
20 yard 22 ft × 8 ft × 4.5 ft Roofing tear-offs, home remodels, garage cleanouts
30 yard 22 ft × 8 ft × 6 ft Construction debris, large remodels, whole-home cleanouts
40 yard 22 ft × 8 ft × 8 ft Major demolition, commercial jobs, large-scale construction

The “yard” in each size is cubic yards of capacity. As a rough picture, a full-size pickup truck bed holds about 2 to 3 cubic yards, so an 11-yard dumpster is several pickup loads and a 40-yard is a lot more.

Which size do I need?

11-yard: small jobs and tight spaces

Our smallest roll-off fits most residential driveways. Choose it for a single-room remodel, a bathroom or kitchen gut, a small garage cleanout, or yard cleanup. It is also the best choice for heavy material like concrete or dirt, because weight, not volume, is usually the limit.

20-yard: roofing and mid-size remodels

A good fit for most residential roof tear-offs, flooring and drywall removal across several rooms, and larger garage or attic cleanouts.

30-yard: our most popular size

The 30-yard handles whole-home cleanouts, additions, and general construction debris. If you are torn between two sizes on a construction job, this is usually the safe pick.

40-yard: demolition and big builds

Built for full demolition, new construction, and commercial cleanouts where volume is the priority. It is 8 feet tall, so it works best for bulky, lighter debris loaded with equipment or from a height.

Roll-off dumpsters lined up at the A Mobile Storage yard in Sumter, SC

Weight matters as much as size

Concrete, brick, dirt, and shingles are heavy. A small container can reach its weight limit long before it looks full, so tell us what you are throwing away when you call. We will steer you to the size that handles the weight without an overweight charge.

What can go in the dumpster?

  • Accepted: construction and demolition debris, household junk and furniture, roofing, wood, metal, and concrete (weight limits apply). Asbestos is by request only, with a DHEC approval letter and manifest.
  • Not accepted: e-waste and corded electronics, hazardous liquids (gas, oil, paint), batteries, and tires.
  • With conditions: lawnmowers with the gas tank emptied, paint cans only if completely empty and dry, and mattresses with advance notice. Bagged household garbage is accepted at a higher per-ton rate.

Frequently asked questions

What is the smallest dumpster you rent?

Our smallest roll-off is the 11-yard, which measures 12 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 3.5 feet tall and fits most standard residential driveways.

What size dumpster do I need for a roof tear-off?

Most residential roofs fit in a 20-yard dumpster. Shingles are heavy, so tell us the roof size and number of layers and we will confirm the right size.

Is it better to get a bigger dumpster just in case?

Often yes for light, bulky debris, since a second haul usually costs more than the next size up. For heavy material like concrete, a bigger box does not help because weight is the limit.

How fast can I get a dumpster?

We offer same-day delivery in most of our service area. Call in the morning and we can typically have a roll-off on site the same day, subject to availability.

See local details for dumpster rental in Sumter, SC and dumpster rental in Columbia, SC, check whether you need a dumpster permit, or visit our roll-off dumpster rentals page.

Ready to book or have a question? Call A Mobile Storage at (803) 773-5439 or request a quote online. We are a family-owned company based at 1021 N. Main Street in Sumter, SC.

Need a dumpster, porta potty, or storage rental?

A Mobile Storage is a family-owned rental company in Sumter, SC serving Sumter, Columbia, and South Carolina for 35+ years. Call (803) 773-5439 or request a quote online.