Roll-Off Dumpster: Complete Overview, Sizes, Costs and Guide

A roll-off dumpster is a temporary waste container designed for short-term projects. Unlike permanent commercial dumpsters, which sit in fixed locations, roll-offs are delivered to your site, remain for a rental period (typically 7-10 days), and are picked up when your project is done.

The name "roll-off" describes the delivery method: a cable hoist truck pulls the container backward off the truck bed onto your driveway or job site. The container sits on metal skids that allow it to slide smoothly, and you fill it open-top at your own pace. When pickup is scheduled, the truck reverses the process — the cable pulls the filled container back onto the truck bed.

10-Yard Dumpster Dimensions: 12 ft long x 8 ft wide x 4 ft tall Weight Limit: 1-2 tons Capacity: roughly 3 pickup truck loads Cost: $250-$400 per week Best For: Bathroom remodels, attic cleanouts, small room cleanouts, light yard work

15-Yard Dumpster (Not Available Everywhere) Dimensions: 16 ft long x 8 ft wide x 4.5 ft tall Weight Limit: 2-3 tons Capacity: roughly 4-5 pickup truck loads Cost: $300-$450 per week Best For: Garage cleanouts, deck removal, medium renovations

20-Yard Dumpster (Most Popular Residential Size) Dimensions: 22 ft long x 8 ft wide x 4.5 ft tall Weight Limit: 3-4 tons Capacity: roughly 6 pickup truck loads Cost: $350-$550 per week Best For: Multi-room renovations, kitchen remodels, roofing, basement cleanouts

30-Yard Dumpster Dimensions: 22 ft long x 8 ft wide x 6 ft tall Weight Limit: 4-5 tons Capacity: roughly 9 pickup truck loads Cost: $450-$700 per week Best For: Whole-house cleanouts, large home renovations, commercial projects

40-Yard Dumpster (Largest Residential/Commercial Size) Dimensions: 22 ft long x 8 ft wide x 8 ft tall Weight Limit: 5-6 tons Capacity: roughly 12 pickup truck loads Cost: $550-$850 per week Best For: Major construction or demolition, large-scale commercial projects, industrial sites

Roll-off dumpster costs vary significantly by location based on landfill fees, fuel costs, and local competition.

National Average: $385 per week according to Angi Range: $244-$928 per week depending on size and location

City-Specific Examples: Denver, CO: $345-$535 per week Phoenix, AZ: $399-$799 per week New York, NY: Higher rates due to landfill scarcity Midwest Cities: Generally $20-$50 cheaper than coastal markets

The biggest cost driver is your local landfill fee — what the company pays per ton for disposal. Coastal cities like NYC and LA have higher tipping fees, resulting in higher rental costs.

Accepted Materials Furniture: couches, chairs, tables, bed frames, dressers Appliances: washers, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves Construction debris: drywall, lumber, flooring, roofing shingles Yard waste: branches, leaves, grass clippings Carpet and padding General household junk and renovation debris

Prohibited Items (Never Put in a Dumpster) Hazardous waste: liquid paint, solvents, automotive fluids Appliances with refrigerants: refrigerators, air conditioning units Electronics and e-waste: TVs, computers, monitors Batteries, fluorescent lightbulbs, propane tanks Tires and asbestos Anything flammable

Mixing prohibited items can result in your entire load being rejected and returned to you.

Driveway Placement (Easiest and Free) Most homeowners place dumpsters in their driveway. Requirements: approximately 10-15 feet of length, 8 feet of width, concrete or asphalt surface. The delivery truck needs at least 60 feet of straight clearance to back up.

Street Placement (Requires Permit) If your driveway is unavailable, street placement requires a city permit. Costs: $20-$150 depending on location. Some cities charge weekly permit fees. Submit applications 5-15 business days in advance.

Overhead Clearance Cable hoist systems work in limited spaces (even under power lines). Hook-lift systems need 18-20 feet of vertical clearance.