Dumpster Rental vs Junk Removal
If you have a pile of stuff to get rid of, you have two choices: rent a dumpster and load it yourself, or pay a junk removal crew to load and haul it for you. Here is how to decide which costs less for your job.
The Short Answer
- Junk removal usually makes sense for a handful of large items that can go in one trip, such as a couch, a mattress and a dresser, especially if you cannot lift them yourself.
- A dumpster usually costs less when you are clearing out a whole room or house, remodeling, roofing, or working over several days, because you pay for the container and the weight rather than for a crew’s time and truck space.
How Each One Is Priced
| Dumpster rental | Junk removal | |
|---|---|---|
| Who loads it | You, on your own schedule | The crew, during the appointment |
| How it is priced | Container price plus disposal weight | Usually by how much of the truck you fill |
| Time to load | Up to 7 days included, extra days $10 each | One appointment |
| Best for | Remodels, roofs, cleanouts, multi-day jobs | A few bulky items |
| Our price | From $249 for a 10 yard for 7 days, plus $100 per ton | We do not offer junk removal |
When a Dumpster Is the Better Deal
- You are cleaning out a garage, attic or whole house.
- You are remodeling a kitchen or bathroom and producing debris every day.
- You are replacing a roof or flooring.
- You want to work at your own pace over a weekend or a week.
- You have friends or a crew to help load.
When Junk Removal May Be Better
- You only have a few heavy items and no one to help lift them.
- The items are inside and upstairs, and you need them carried out.
- You need the space cleared in a few hours.
Dumpster Sizes for Cleanouts
A 10 yard dumpster (14′ x 8′ x 4′) holds most garage and single-room cleanouts. A 20 yard fits a large cleanout or a kitchen remodel. A 30 yard handles a whole house. See every fee on our dumpster rental prices page.