The Number of Dumpsters You Need for a Demolition Project

The number of dumpsters required for a demolition project can vary greatly. It depends on the scope of your project, whether it's a small mobile home demolition or a large commercial project. For entire houses, you may need several large dumpsters, but fewer might suffice for smaller projects. The key is to make a rough estimate based on the square footage of the building and the expected volume of debris, measured in cubic yards of demolition debris. To give you a better idea, let's look at some specific examples based on different house sizes:

1,000 Square Feet House:

• Approximately 6 dumpsters (20-yard dumpsters).
• Approximately 4 dumpsters (30-yard dumpsters).
• Approximately 3 dumpsters (40-yard dumpsters).

2,000 Square Feet House:

• Approximately 12 dumpsters (20-yard dumpsters).
• Approximately 8 dumpsters (30-yard dumpsters).
• Approximately 6 dumpsters (40-yard dumpsters).

3,000 Square Feet House:

• Approximately 18 dumpsters (20-yard dumpsters).
• Approximately 12 dumpsters (30-yard dumpsters).
• Approximately 9 dumpsters (40-yard dumpsters).

For a deeper dive into planning different scales of demolition projects, read Building Demolition for Beginners: Tips, Tricks, and Necessary Supplies.

Types of Building Materials Used - Weight & Cubic Yard Estimate:

Concrete:

• Weight: Approximately 140 pounds per cubic foot.

• Cubic Yards: Dense and heavy loads; a 10-yard dumpster designed for concrete can often hold up to 10 tons.

Roofing Shingles:

• Weight: Roughly 250-300 pounds per square (100 square feet).

• Cubic Yards: A standard 20-yard dumpster can typically hold about 40 squares of shingles.

Drywall:

• Weight: About 1.5 pounds per square foot.

• Cubic Yards: A 10-yard dumpster can generally accommodate the drywall from a medium-sized house.

Green Waste/Yard Waste:

• Weight: Varies greatly, lighter than construction materials.

• Cubic Yards: Depends on the nature of the waste (e.g., leaves vs. branches); a 20-yard dumpster can handle a large amount of loose yard waste.

Wood:

• Weight: Roughly 600 pounds per cubic yard.

• Cubic Yards: The volume depends on whether it's lumber or mixed with other demolition debris.

Metal:

• Weight: Varies by type (e.g., aluminum is lighter than steel).

• Cubic Yards: Metal is often recycled separately due to its value and lower volume in typical house demolitions.

Remember, these are approximate figures and actual weights can vary based on the specific materials and their conditions. Always consult with a professional for the most accurate estimates for your specific project needs. Reaching out to experts is always a good idea.

Dumpsters You Need From Home Debris

When you're planning to demolish a house, one of the first things you'll need to figure out is how many dumpsters you'll require for the debris. Let's make it simple and look at a typical one-story house that's 1,000 square feet in size.

To estimate the debris, we'll calculate the volume in cubic yards. Here's an easy way to do that: Imagine a house that's 25 feet long, 40 feet wide, and has a ceiling height of 10 feet. To find the volume of debris, you multiply these numbers together and then multiply by 0.33 (this factor accounts for the empty space in the house, like the air between things). Finally, divide this number by 27 (because there are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard). The calculation is: (25 x 40 x 10 x 0.33 / 27), which equals approximately 122.2 cubic yards of debris.

Now, to determine the number of dumpsters you need, just divide the total cubic yards of debris by the capacity of the dumpster you're renting. For example, if you choose a dumpster that holds 30 cubic yards, you divide 122.2 by 30. This means you would need about 4.1 dumpsters. Since you can't rent a fraction of a dumpster, you would round up to 5 dumpsters to ensure you have enough space for all the debris.

Dumpsters Needed For Concrete Debris

When you're demolishing a house, you need to think about where all the pieces of the house will go. If your house has a concrete part, like a floor or foundation, this needs special attention. Concrete can't be thrown away just anywhere; it usually needs to go to a place that can recycle it. That's why you put concrete in different dumpsters than the rest of the house stuff.

Let's say your 1,000 square foot house has a concrete floor that's not very thick, about 8 inches. To figure out how many dumpsters you need for this concrete, you do a bit of math. For our house, it looks like this: Multiply the length of your house by the width and then by the thickness of the concrete (we use 0.67 for 8 inches in feet). Then divide that big number by 27 (because that's how you turn feet into yards). So, for a 1,000 square foot house, it's 25 x 40 x 0.67 / 27.

​This math says you have about 24.8 yards of concrete.

Concrete is really heavy. A yard of it can weigh about as much as a small car! So you can't put too much in one dumpster, or it gets too heavy to move. For our house, you'd need a few smaller dumpsters, like the ones that can hold 10 to 20 yards, instead of one big one.

Remember, it's important to throw away things the right way, especially when you're taking down a whole house. Getting the number of dumpsters right means you won't have too many or too few. If you're not sure, you can always ask someone who knows a lot about dumpsters to help you figure it out. They can tell you exactly what you need.

For comprehensive information on managing concrete debris, visit Concrete Demolition & Removal: Everything Homeowners Need to Know.

Find A House Demolition Contractor Near You

Finding a reliable house demolition contractor is vital for a successful demolition project. Look for a team with experience in various demolition jobs, including commercial and home demolition projects. A professional team will help you estimate the amount of debris and the type and size of dumpsters needed.

Account for any green waste to be removed

Incorporating green waste removal into your demolition plan is a responsible approach. A waste removal service can help manage this type of waste, ensuring it's disposed of in an eco-friendly manner. This is especially relevant for demolition sites with a significant amount of yard waste.

Discover more about eco-friendly demolition practices at ‘The Complete Guide to Home Demolition’.

Weight limits can greatly affect the price of disposal

Be mindful of weight limits when renting dumpsters. Exceeding these limits can lead to additional fees, especially with heavier materials like concrete. It's essential to discuss these limits with your dumpster rental company to avoid unexpected costs.

Call ahead to discuss dumpster provider's availability

Before your demo day, ensure you've coordinated with your dumpster service provider. This step is crucial to confirm the availability of the dumpsters you need and to discuss any potential additional days you might require the dumpsters on a demolition site.