Short answer: most homeowners in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Pinellas County need a 15 yard roll-off dumpster. Go down to a 10 yard if the material is heavy and dense, and up to a 20 or 30 yard if you are gutting a house or running a construction job. Below is how to tell the difference in about two minutes.
The four sizes we run, and what each one is actually for
| Size | Capacity | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | 10 cubic yards | Concrete, dirt, tile, brick, small bathroom remodels, partial garage clear-outs |
| 15 yard | 15 cubic yards | Whole-home cleanouts, kitchen or bath remodels, roof tear-offs, landscaping |
| 20 yard | 20 cubic yards | Multi-room renovations, construction cleanup, big estate cleanouts |
| 30 yard | 30 cubic yards | Large construction jobs, commercial cleanouts, demolition debris |
The two mistakes that cost people money
Mistake one: renting too big because it feels safer. A 30 yard container that goes out half empty costs more than a 15 yard that goes out full. You pay for the container, not for the air inside it.
Mistake two: forgetting that weight matters more than volume. Concrete, dirt, tile, brick and roofing shingles are dense. A 10 yard box full of concrete can weigh more than a 30 yard box full of furniture. For heavy material we will usually put you in a smaller container on purpose.
A quick way to estimate at home
Walk the pile and count it in pickup truck loads. One of our full trucks is about seven pickup loads. If your pile looks like two or three pickup loads, you are in 10 yard territory. Five to seven pickup loads is a 15 yard. More than that and you are into the 20 and 30 yard range.
Where to place the dumpster in a Pinellas driveway
Most St. Petersburg and Clearwater driveways handle a 10 or 15 yard container without trouble. The delivery truck needs a straight, clear approach and enough overhead room, so move cars, trim low branches and take note of low power lines before delivery day. On the beaches and in older neighborhoods with narrow streets, tell us in advance so we can plan the drop.
Frequently asked questions
What size dumpster do I need for a garage cleanout?
For a standard two-car garage in St. Petersburg or Clearwater, a 15 yard roll-off is usually the right call. A 10 yard works if you are only clearing part of the garage or if the load is mostly heavy material like tile or concrete.
What size dumpster do I need for a roof replacement?
Most single-family roof tear-offs in Pinellas County fit a 15 yard dumpster. Shingles are heavy, so the container fills by weight long before it fills by height. For a large or multi-layer roof, step up to a 20 yard.
Is it cheaper to rent a dumpster or hire full-service junk removal?
If you have the time and the ability to load it yourself, a roll-off dumpster is normally the cheaper option because you are not paying for labor. If you cannot lift the items, cannot get help, or need it gone today, full-service junk removal usually wins on total cost once you count your own time.
What happens if I fill the dumpster past the top?
We cannot legally haul an overfilled container, so the load has to be leveled before pickup. Keep everything below the top rail. If you realize halfway through that you undersized the container, call us at 727-240-7033 and we will swap it.
Still not sure? Just ask.
Text photos of the pile to 727-240-7033 and we will tell you which size you need, usually within a few minutes. We are open 24/7 and we deliver across St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa and all of Pinellas County. You can also read the full dumpster rental guide or jump straight to the 15 yard dumpster page.