Sizing · Lake Charles, LA
Which Dumpster Size Do You Need?
Most Lake Charles homeowners pick one size too small and end up paying for a second pull. Here's a practical guide based on real projects we've delivered for over the last few years.
10-Yard
12 ft × 8 ft × 3.5 ft
Up to 1 ton included
Equivalent volume
3 pickup-truck loads
Best for
Single-room cleanouts, small bathroom remodels, attic clearouts, roofing tear-offs under 1,500 sq ft. The "garage-friendly" size — fits in a standard driveway without blocking your garage door.
Example job in Lake Charles: Tearing out and replacing a 12×14 bathroom — tile, drywall, vanity, tub. Comfortably fits in 10.
15-Yard
14 ft × 8 ft × 4.5 ft
Up to 1.5 tons included
Equivalent volume
4–5 pickup-truck loads
Best for
The in-between size. Use it when you'd otherwise overflow a 10 but a 20 is overkill — small kitchen remodel, basement cleanout, or a yard cleanup involving fence panels and deck boards.
Example job in Lake Charles: Cleaning out a 2-car garage of 15 years of accumulated stuff plus dismantling a small wood shed.
20-Yard
22 ft × 8 ft × 4.5 ft
Up to 2 tons included
Equivalent volume
6–8 pickup-truck loads
Best for
Full kitchen remodel, mid-size roofing job (1,500–3,000 sq ft), multi-room flooring replacement, large estate cleanout. The most common rental for residential remodels.
Example job in Lake Charles: Gutting and refinishing a 200 sq ft kitchen — cabinets, countertops, flooring, drywall.
30-Yard
22 ft × 8 ft × 6 ft
Up to 4 tons included
Equivalent volume
9–12 pickup-truck loads
Best for
Whole-home renovations, large roofing (over 3,000 sq ft), commercial site cleanouts, new-construction debris. Tall walls mean stacking is easier — useful for bulky but light material.
Example job in Lake Charles: Full main-floor remodel of a 1,800 sq ft ranch, including flooring, drywall, and a complete kitchen tear-out.
Rules of thumb
- If you're between sizes, go up one. The price difference between a 10 and a 20 is smaller than the cost of a second haul.
- For heavy debris (concrete, brick, dirt), pick a smaller size. Heavy material caps out the weight allowance long before the volume. A "concrete-only" 10-yard ("lowboy") is the right call.
- Roof tear-off: 20-yard for most homes. A 1,500 sq ft roof generates roughly 1 ton of shingles per 100 sq ft — too much for a 10.
- Driveway space matters. 30-yards need 22 ft length plus 4 ft clearance on each end and overhead. If your driveway is shorter, drop to a 20.
Still unsure? Tell us about the project — square footage, materials, timeline — and we'll match a size. Call (337) 656-7447.
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Lake Charles, LA and surrounding areas. Clear quotes, size guidance, and delivery windows confirmed before booking.