Why Dumpster Size Matters
Renting a dumpster that's too small means you'll either run out of space mid-project or pay overage fees. Too big and you're paying for cubic yards of empty air. Getting the size right from the start saves you money and keeps your project moving. Here's everything you need to know.
Understanding Dumpster Sizes
Dumpster sizes are measured in cubic yards — that's the total volume of debris the container can hold. At Atha Equipment Rental, we offer two sizes:
20 Yard Dumpster — $450 Flat Rate
The 20 yard dumpster measures approximately 22 feet long and 8 feet wide. It holds up to 2 tons of debris and is included in your flat rate for up to 20 days. This is our most popular size for homeowners and smaller contractors.
Best for:
- Single-room or whole-home cleanouts
- Bathroom or kitchen remodels
- Roofing tear-offs on smaller homes
- Garage, shed, or basement cleanouts
- Small landscaping projects with soil or sod removal
- Moving — clearing out years of accumulated items
30 Yard Dumpster — $500 Flat Rate
The 30 yard dumpster holds up to 4 tons of debris with the same 22 foot length and 8 foot width — just taller sides. It's the right call when you're dealing with large volumes or heavier materials.
Best for:
- Whole-home renovations or additions
- New construction cleanups
- Large commercial cleanouts
- Roofing on larger homes
- Major landscaping with lots of fill dirt or concrete
- Estate cleanouts
Quick rule of thumb: If you're filling one or two rooms, go with the 20 yard. If you're gutting multiple rooms, doing a full renovation, or working on a job site, go with the 30 yard. When in doubt, size up — the price difference is only $50 and the extra space is worth it.
What Affects the Total Cost?
The flat rate covers the rental period and included weight. Here's what can add to your bill:
- Extra days: $10 per day after the 20-day rental period
- Overweight fees: $85 per ton over your included weight (2 tons for the 20 yd, 4 tons for the 30 yd)
- Out-of-county delivery: $50 additional fee for deliveries outside Walton County
Heavy materials like concrete, brick, roofing shingles, and soil add up fast. If your project involves a lot of these, be conservative and assume you'll exceed the weight limit. For a standard home cleanout with furniture and household junk, you'll almost always stay under.
Tips for Filling Your Dumpster Efficiently
- Break things down. Flatten cardboard, disassemble furniture, and cut lumber into manageable pieces. You'll fit significantly more in the same volume.
- Fill evenly. Distribute weight across the bottom rather than piling everything in one corner.
- Heavy stuff on the bottom. Put heavier items like appliances and concrete at the base, lighter debris on top.
- Don't overfill. Debris must not extend above the top rail of the dumpster — it's a safety and transport requirement. If you need more space, give us a call and we'll swap it out.
What You Cannot Put in a Dumpster
Some materials are prohibited by law and cannot go in a roll-off dumpster regardless of size:
- Hazardous waste (paint, solvents, chemicals, pesticides)
- Tires
- Batteries (automotive or otherwise)
- Appliances containing Freon (refrigerators, AC units)
- Asbestos-containing materials
- Medical or biohazardous waste
- Electronics (TVs, computers) in some cases
Not sure if something is allowed? Just call us at (770) 207-6041 before tossing it in. We'd rather answer a quick question than have you deal with a problem later.
Ready to Book Your Dumpster?
We serve Monroe, Walton County, and neighboring counties. Give us a call or send a message and we'll get it scheduled.
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