Dumpster rental questions usually come down to size, concrete and fees: the right size beats the biggest, concrete gets its own container, and delivery is included. Family Trash offers roll-off container rental on James Island and delivers across Charleston. Here are the questions people ask before renting one, with the answers for our rentals.
What size should I rent?
Rent the size that fits the debris, and skip the biggest one unless the job needs it. Each size has a volume and an included weight. The 7-yard and the 13-yard include 1 ton, the 17-yard includes 1.5 tons, and the 22-yard includes 2 tons. Your booking terms cover weight over the included tons.
Match the size to the job. One or two rooms, a garage, a bathroom, a small kitchen, a deck or a small shingle roof goes in the 13-yard. A full kitchen, several rooms, or flooring pulled up across a few rooms fits the 17. A full-house cleanout goes in the 17 or the 22, depending on the house, so tell us the house and what's going. A full renovation, a new build, or a house plus the garage and yard goes in the 22. Our dumpster size guide lays the four sizes side by side.
To check your own estimate, measure the pile. Multiply length by width by height in feet and divide by 27 to get cubic yards. A pile 9 feet long, 6 feet wide and 3 feet high is 162 cubic feet, or 6 cubic yards. Loose furniture and brush take up more room than a measured pile, so leave some extra space.
Can concrete go in with the rest of the debris?
Concrete and dirt go in their own container: the 7-yard. It sits low, so heavy material is easier to lift over the side. A clean load of concrete or dirt has no overweight charge and can be filled to the rim, because Tony takes it to a recycle plant. If wood or trash ends up in that load, it goes to the landfill instead and is charged by weight. Tony goes over this at drop-off.
If your job has both kinds of debris, rent two dumpsters: the 7-yard for the clean concrete or dirt, and a 13, 17 or 22 for the rest. You can also keep the heavy material in a separate pile until the first dumpster goes out, then book the 7-yard. Shingles are heavy too, but they go in the 13, 17 or 22, sized by the roof.
Does the company load it for me?
No. Family Trash rents roll-off dumpsters, and you load them. People hear "junk removal" or "waste management" and picture someone carrying things out of the garage. Tony drops the dumpster where you want it, you load it on your own schedule, and he picks it up when you call. You can fill it on a Saturday morning or over a couple of weeks. On bigger jobs, call when it's full and Tony swaps it for an empty one.
What can go in the dumpster?
Tony takes almost everything, paint included. Oil goes in a sealed, wrapped container. Tell us what's going in when you book, and that one conversation covers the rest. The acceptable items page covers the categories.
Is delivery included in the price?
Yes. Delivery, pickup and disposal are part of the rental. The price shows in the online booking, or you can call or text for it. Inside 25 miles of James Island there's no fuel fee. Past 25 miles a fuel fee applies, and Tony serves out to about 40 miles. Our page on dumpster rental cost in Charleston explains what sets the price: the size, the included weight and the days.
Which towns does Family Trash cover?
Family Trash started in 2023 on James Island and covers Charleston and the towns around it. That includes West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, the islands and the towns further out. If you aren't sure you're in range, look at the towns we serve or ask when you call.
Is curbside pickup enough for a cleanout?
Curbside pickup is set up for weekly household trash, and some cities also take bulk items. The City of Charleston says "Junk, furniture and other bulk items can be placed in their own pile at the curb on your collection day" on its trash and yard waste collection page. That works for a chair or a mattress.
A cleanout or a remodel produces far more. Old cabinets, drywall, carpet, a garage full of boxes and broken furniture add up quickly. A roll-off sits in your driveway for the length of the rental, so you load as you go and keep the curb clear.
How long can I keep it?
The 7, 13 and 17 come with 5 days, and the 22 comes with 7. Rentals run up to 30 days, and longer works too: call and Tony sets it up. Plan the rental around the work. A garage cleanout might take a weekend. A remodel might take a few weeks, with a swap when the first dumpster is full.
How does booking work?
Booking online takes about two minutes. You enter the address, pick the size, add your name and card, and choose the date. Tony calls each online order to confirm the details and where you want the dumpster. If you'd rather talk first, text or call (843) 800-0689. For delivery timing, call and Tony will tell you when he can be out.
More dumpster rental questions
Does somebody sort my load afterward?
No. The sorting happens when you load. A clean load of concrete or dirt from the 7-yard goes to a recycle plant. Mixed loads and household debris go to the landfill.
Is a roll-off worth it for a small job?
For a chair or a few bags, curbside collection covers it. Once the pile is more than a truck load, or the material is heavy, a roll-off lets you load once at home with no trips to a drop-off site.
Do I need to be a business to rent one?
No. Homeowners and contractors rent the same dumpsters the same way.
Which size is right for a load of concrete?
The 7-yard. Concrete, dirt, brick and block go in the low 7-yard. The 22-yard is for big projects with lighter material, like a full renovation or a house plus the garage and yard.
Do I need to be home when it's delivered?
No. You don't need to be home for delivery or pickup. Tell us where you want it when you book.
Does a family-owned company cover the outer towns too?
Yes. Tony delivers out to about 40 miles from James Island, with a fuel fee past 25 miles.
To talk through your project, call or text (843) 800-0689.
Need a dumpster in Charleston? Call or text Tony at (843) 800-0689, or order online.
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