A 15 yard dumpster is a common size to ask for, and for a bathroom or small kitchen remodel our 13-yard roll-off covers the same job. A full kitchen remodel, or a remodel bigger than one or two rooms, goes in the 17-yard.
We're a family business on James Island renting roll-off dumpsters in Charleston and the towns around it. Our four sizes are the 7, 13, 17 and 22. Tony does every delivery and pickup himself, and he calls every online order to go over the remodel with you. Below is how to pick between the 13 and the 17 in place of a 15, and where the heavy parts of a renovation go.
Why is there no 15-yard size?
A 15 sits between our 13 and our 17, so one of those two fits any remodel you'd book a 15 for. The 13-yard dumpster is 12 feet long, 7 feet wide and 4 feet high, and it includes 1 ton and 5 days. The 17-yard dumpster is 14 feet long, 7 feet wide and 5 feet high, and it includes 1.5 tons and 5 days. Stepping up from the 13 to the 17 adds 2 feet of length and a foot of height to the space you load.
What comes out of a renovation?
Most remodel debris is bulky for its weight. Cabinets, drywall, trim, doors, carpet, a vanity and old light fixtures take up a lot of room in a dumpster without adding many pounds. A kitchen tear-out gets big fast once the cabinets and countertops are out and the drywall behind them comes down.
A few parts of a remodel are heavy. Tile, the mortar bed under it, plaster walls, stone or solid-surface countertops and a cast-iron tub all add weight quickly. Plan the size for the bulky material and plan the weight for the heavy pieces.
Which size fits a bathroom remodel?
A single bathroom gut goes in the 13. That covers the vanity, toilet, tub or shower surround, drywall, flooring and fixtures from one room. Two bathrooms at once go in the 17.
The tub is the piece to plan around. A fiberglass or acrylic tub is light and bulky. A cast-iron tub is one of the heaviest single items in a house remodel, so mention it when you book along with the square footage of any tile coming up.
Which size fits a kitchen remodel?
A small kitchen goes in the 13: the cabinets, a laminate countertop, the drywall behind them and the flooring from one small room. A full kitchen remodel goes in the 17. That includes a larger kitchen with an island, a kitchen plus the dining room flooring, or a kitchen remodel that also clears out a pantry and laundry room.
A full renovation, where several rooms are being gutted at once or the house is getting new floors, walls and a kitchen together, goes in the 22-yard dumpster. It includes 2 tons and 7 days, which suits a remodel with several trades working in turn.
If you're between two sizes, tell us the job and we'll tell you which fits. Our dumpster size guide puts all four sizes side by side.
In what order should remodel demo go?
Shut off the water and the power to the room before you start. Take the doors and drawers off the cabinets, then remove the upper cabinets before the lowers so nothing falls on you. Lift the countertop off next, then pull the base cabinets. Drywall and trim come down after the cabinets are out, and the floor comes up last, since you walk on it through every other step of the demo.
Wear gloves, eye protection and a dust mask while you work. Before you cut into a wall, check for wiring and plumbing behind it. Carry each load of debris out to the dumpster as you go, so the room stays clear enough to work in safely.
What about tile, concrete and brick in a remodel?
Tile goes in the 13, 17 or 22 with the rest of the remodel debris. It's heavy, so tell us roughly how many square feet of tile and mortar are coming up when you book, and we'll help you plan the size around the weight.
Clean concrete, dirt and brick from a remodel go in the 7-yard dumpster for concrete and dirt, kept apart from the cabinets and drywall.
For a job with concrete and mixed debris, mention both when you book: a 7-yard for the concrete and a 13 for the rest. You can also book the 7 first and then book a second rental in the larger size once the concrete is out.
How do you load a remodel dumpster so it fits more?
Break everything down flat before it goes in. Pull the doors off the cabinets, then knock the cabinet frames apart so they stack. Cut carpet into strips and roll them tight. Stack drywall in flat pieces instead of tossing it in loose. Put the heavy, flat material on the floor of the dumpster, fill the corners, and set the bulky, light material on top. Keep the load level with the top edge so it can be picked up.
How long can the dumpster stay during a remodel?
For a remodel, the 13 or 17 comes with 5 days and the 22 with 7. Remodels often run past that while you wait on cabinets, countertops or an inspection. Rentals run 1 to 30 days, and longer if you call.
Common questions about the 15-yard size
Do you rent a 15-yard dumpster?
No. Our sizes are the 7, 13, 17 and 22. For a remodel, the 13 and the 17 sit on either side of a 15, and one of them fits the job.
Am I giving up room by renting a 13 instead of a 15?
A little. Breaking cabinets and drywall down flat gains back a good amount of space. If the remodel is close to the line, take the 17.
Can the remodel debris and the old furniture share one dumpster?
Yes. Furniture and remodel debris can go in the same dumpster. Count the furniture when you pick the size, since a couch and a mattress take up a fair amount of room.
What does the remodel dumpster price cover?
Delivery, pickup and disposal are all part of the price. A remodel within 25 miles of James Island has no fuel fee, and one past 25 miles has a fuel fee. You see the price in the online booking, or you can call or text for it.
Planning a remodel? Check the towns we serve, or text or call (843) 800-0689 and tell us about the job.
Need a dumpster in Charleston? Call or text Tony at (843) 800-0689, or order online.
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