You have drawn up the blueprints, set aside the weekend, and finally committed to tearing apart that outdated kitchen or clearing out a garage packed with a decade’s worth of memories. The motivation is there. But what about the mess?
Renting a roll-off container is the most efficient way to keep your Northern Colorado property clean during a project. However, one of the most common questions we get asked is, “What size dumpster do I actually need?” Guessing incorrectly can be frustrating. Rent a bin that is too small, and you will find yourself paying for a second one just to finish the job. Rent one that is too large, and you are literally paying to ship Colorado air to the local landfill.
To help you hit the “Goldilocks zone” for your next home improvement project, we have put together this ultimate dumpster size guide. We will break down our exact inventory, what fits inside them, and how to choose the perfect container.
The “Pickup Truck” Rule of Thumb
Before diving into the specific dimensions, it helps to understand how the waste management industry measures capacity. Dumpsters are measured in cubic yards (a volume that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high).
Visualizing a “cubic yard” is tough for most people. Instead, think of a standard pickup truck bed filled level to the top. One standard pickup truck holds roughly 2 to 2.5 cubic yards of debris. By visualizing your junk in terms of truckloads, choosing a size becomes a whole lot easier!
Breaking Down McCoy’s Dumpster Sizes
Unlike national brokers that push massive, driveway-crushing 40-yard bins on residential customers, we offer tailored, residential-friendly sizes. Here is a look at the dumpster rental services we provide and the projects they are built for.
9-Yard Dumpster: The Heavy Lifter
Don’t let the compact footprint fool you. The 9-yard dumpster is a powerhouse designed to squeeze into tight driveways and handle heavy materials.
Capacity: Roughly 4 pickup truck loads.
Dimensions: Perfectly sized to fit in a single parking space.
Best Used For: * Disposing of dense, heavy materials like dirt, concrete, or roofing shingles.
Small garage or shed cleanouts.
Single-room decluttering before a move.
Yard waste from small seasonal landscaping projects.
11-Yard Dumpster: The Weekend Warrior
Need just a little more breathing room than the 9-yarder, but don’t want a massive metal box dominating your property? The 10 Yard dumpster capacity is the perfect middle ground.
Capacity: Roughly 4 to 5 pickup truck loads (holds up to 60-75 contractor-grade trash bags).
Dimensions: Approximately 12 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 4 feet high.
Best Used For: * Tossing out a few pieces of bulky furniture (like old couches or mattresses).
Minor bathroom or kitchen remodeling projects.
Tearing out an old wooden deck.
Mid-sized spring cleaning efforts.
15-Yard Dumpster: The Renovator’s Sweet Spot
The 15-yard roll off dumpster is consistently our most popular rental. It offers fantastic versatility—large enough to handle serious debris, but still compact enough to comfortably navigate standard residential streets.
Capacity: Roughly 5 to 6 pickup truck loads.
Best Used For: * Removing old flooring or carpeting from an entire house.
Medium-to-large kitchen demolition.
Whole-home window replacement projects.
Extensive basement cleanouts or estate clearing.
20-Yard Dumpster: The Heavyweight Champion
When you are tackling a major overhaul, you need the big guns. The 20-yard bin is the largest container we offer, built to handle maximum volume without requiring a commercial loading dock.
Capacity: Roughly 8 pickup truck loads.
Best Used For: * Full-scale home renovations and additions.
Large roof tear-offs.
Whole-home hoarding cleanouts.
Major post-storm tree and branch removal.
3 Pro Tips for Choosing the Perfect Dumpster
Still on the fence? Ask yourself these three questions before you book:
What type of debris am I tossing? Volume isn’t everything; weight matters. If you are tearing up a concrete patio, you are limited by strict weight capacities so the truck can legally lift the bin. For heavy materials (dirt, rock, brick), a 9-yard dumpster is mandatory. For lighter, bulkier items like cardboard and old toys, a 15 or 20-yard bin is better.
How much space do I have? Walk out to your driveway. Are there low-hanging branches? Are there power lines directly above where the bin will sit? Make sure you have the clearance required for our trucks to safely drop off and roll away the container.
What is my budget? Size dictates the price, but you never want hidden fees sneaking up on you. We recommend reviewing our straightforward pricing page so you know exactly what your flat rate covers. Remember: When in doubt, size up. It is almost always cheaper to rent one 15-yard dumpster than it is to rent two 9-yard dumpsters because you ran out of room!
Don’t Want to Load It Yourself?
We get it. Not everyone wants to spend their weekend hauling heavy, splintered wood into a metal bin. If you decide that a DIY dumpster rental isn’t the right path for your timeline or physical ability, you aren’t out of luck.
Instead of a rental, you can hire our full-service McCoy’s Junk Removal team. We show up with our own trucks, do all the heavy lifting for you, sweep up the site, and haul everything away in a matter of hours.
Ready to Book Your Bin?
Picking the right size doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game. By estimating your debris in terms of pickup truck loads and considering the weight of your materials, you will lock in the perfect container every single time.
Whether you need a compact 9-yarder for some heavy dirt or a 20-yard monster for a whole-home remodel, we are here to help you clear the clutter fast. If you are ready to get your project moving, contact our team today to reserve your roll-off!
