How to Choose the Right Dumpster Size for Your Project in the Quad Cities

How to Choose the Right Dumpster Size for Your Project in the Quad Cities

Choosing the right dumpster size is one of the most important steps when planning any cleanup, renovation, or construction project. Whether you’re tackling a small home decluttering job or overseeing a large commercial build, selecting the correct size ensures you have enough space for debris while keeping costs controlled. At Speedy Dumpster Rentals LLC, we help homeowners, contractors, roofers, and businesses throughout the Quad Cities find the perfect roll-off container for their needs—and we make the process simple.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to determine the right dumpster size for your project, what each size can hold, how local Quad Cities regulations affect your rental, and tips for avoiding overage fees or unnecessary upgrades.

Why Choosing the Right Dumpster Size Matters

Picking the correct size dumpster saves you time, money, and stress. Underestimating may lead to overflowing debris, additional hauls, or last-minute rental extensions. Overestimating means paying for more space than you truly need.

The right size ensures:

• You stay within your project budget
• You avoid overweight or overflow fees
• You follow waste transport requirements
• You maximize your rental period
• You keep your job site clean, safe, and efficient

In the Quad Cities—Davenport, Bettendorf, Rock Island, and Moline—local waste regulations also require proper disposal of certain materials, making size selection even more important.

Common Dumpster Sizes and What They’re Best For

Speedy Dumpster Rentals LLC offers the most commonly used roll-off dumpster sizes in the Quad Cities: 10-yard, 15-yard, 20-yard, and 30-yard containers. Below you’ll find a breakdown of what each size fits and which projects they’re ideal for.

10-Yard Dumpster: Perfect for Small Projects

Dimensions:
Approx. 12–14 ft long × 8 ft wide × 3.5 ft tall
Capacity:
About 50–70 trash bags or 3 pickup truck loads

Best For:

• Small home cleanouts
• Bathroom remodels
• Basement or garage decluttering
• Yard waste removal
• Small roofing projects (up to 20 squares of shingles)

A 10-yard dumpster is the most compact option, making it ideal for tight driveways or small work areas in older neighborhoods around Rock Island or East Davenport. It’s affordable and versatile for homeowners needing a simple cleanup solution.

15-Yard Dumpster: Great for Mid-Sized Home Projects

Dimensions:
Approx. 14–16 ft long × 8 ft wide × 4.5 ft tall
Capacity:
4–5 pickup truck loads

Best For:

• Kitchen remodels
• Flooring removal
• Medium-size garage cleanouts
• Landscaping projects
• Roof tear-offs up to 30 squares

A 15-yard dumpster bridges the gap between small residential projects and more demanding renovations. Many Quad Cities homeowners choose this size for remodeling older homes where unexpected debris can stack up quickly.

20-Yard Dumpster: Our Most Popular Size

Dimensions:
Approx. 16–22 ft long × 8 ft wide × 4.5–6 ft tall
Capacity:
6 pickup truck loads

Best For:

• Whole-home cleanouts
• Large renovation or remodeling
• Household junk removal
• Roofing jobs up to 40 squares
• Light construction and demolition
• Real estate cleanups or move-outs

The 20-yard dumpster is the go-to choice for most projects in the Quad Cities because it offers a generous amount of space without requiring a large driveway or job site area. It’s also ideal for contractors looking for flexibility on dynamic job sites.

30-Yard Dumpster: For Large-Scale Projects

Dimensions:
Approx. 22 ft long × 8 ft wide × 6–7 ft tall
Capacity:
9 pickup truck loads

Best For:

• Commercial construction
• Full home renovations
• Estate cleanouts
• Demolition projects
• New builds
• Large roofing projects

Contractors and commercial clients commonly use 30-yard dumpsters for high-volume waste. Neighborhoods experiencing growth—particularly in Bettendorf and north Davenport—often require larger dumpsters during home additions and new construction.

How to Choose the Right Size for Your Specific Project

Selecting the ideal dumpster size depends on several key factors. Before booking your rental, take a moment to consider the following:

1. Estimate the Type and Volume of Debris

Identify what you’re throwing away. Different materials take up different amounts of space.

• Light items (furniture, cardboard, yard debris) take up more volume but weigh less.
• Heavy items (roof shingles, dirt, concrete, brick) fill space quickly and may require weight-restricted sizes.
• Mixed debris often needs middle-range options like a 15- or 20-yard dumpster.

If you’re removing bulky items—like couches, appliances, large cabinets, or old siding—go bigger.

2. Measure Your Job Area or Home Space

If you’re cleaning out a basement, garage, or storage area, walk through the space and visualize how many pickup loads the material would fill. A general rule:

• 1 pickup truck = 2–3 cubic yards of debris
• 10-yard dumpster = same as 3 pickup loads
• 20-yard = 6 pickup loads
• 30-yard = 9+ pickup loads

For most Quad Cities homeowners, this simple comparison makes deciding much easier.

3. Consider Local Waste Restrictions

The Quad Cities follows landfill guidelines that restrict certain materials, including:

• Tires
• Appliances containing Freon
• Paints and flammable chemicals
• Electronics
• Hazardous waste

These items take space differently or may require special handling. If your project includes restricted materials, you may need a slightly larger dumpster—or a separate plan for special disposal drop-off sites.

4. Think About the Duration of Your Project

Short projects (1–3 days) allow more precise sizing.
Longer projects (1–2 weeks) tend to accumulate more debris than expected.

Many customers underestimate how much waste a remodel creates, especially older homes in Davenport, Bettendorf, and Rock Island where plaster walls, outdated flooring, and old fixtures take up more room than anticipated.

If in doubt—go one size up.

5. Account for Safety and Accessibility

Your dumpster needs:

• At least 50 feet of clear space for delivery
• A flat and stable surface (driveway, gravel, or street with permit)
• Enough room for the door to swing open for loading

On narrow Quad Cities driveways—especially in historic neighborhoods—it’s smart to choose a smaller size that ensures safe placement.

Common Quad Cities Projects and the Best Dumpster Size

Here’s a quick reference chart you can use:

Project TypeRecommended SizeGarage cleanout10–15 yardBathroom remodel10 yardKitchen remodel15–20 yardWhole-home cleanout20–30 yardRoofing (20–40 squares)10–20 yardYard cleanup10–15 yardCommercial renovation30 yardNew construction30 yard

Avoid These Common Mistakes When Choosing a Dumpster

Even experienced contractors occasionally misjudge dumpster needs. Here are the most common mistakes we see from Quad Cities customers—and how to avoid them:

Mistake #1: Renting a Smaller Dumpster to Save Money

It’s understandable to want to save money by choosing the smallest size possible. But an overloaded dumpster results in:

• Overage fees
• Safety hazards
• Delays in project timelines
• Extra trips
• Inability to legally transport the dumpster

The cost difference between sizes is often far less than the cost of an overloaded haul.

Mistake #2: Not Considering Weight Limits

Some materials may fill a 20-yard dumpster halfway—but still hit the weight limit. Examples include:

• Concrete
• Roofing shingles
• Dirt
• Brick
• Tile
• Drywall from older homes

If you're working with heavy debris, you may need multiple smaller dumpsters rather than one large container.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Local Permitting Needs

In the Quad Cities, placing a dumpster on a public street may require a permit depending on the municipality. This is especially common in:

• Downtown Davenport
• Moline’s commercial districts
• Rock Island’s older neighborhoods

Speedy Dumpster Rentals LLC can help determine whether you need a permit before delivery.

Working With a Local Company Makes It Easier

National chain dumpster companies often deliver oversized containers that don’t fit in residential driveways, or they estimate projects without understanding local rules.
Speedy Dumpster Rentals LLC is based here in the Quad Cities, so we offer:

• Personalized recommendations
• Local expertise on sizes, permits, and debris types
• Same-day or next-day delivery
• Affordable flat-rate pricing
• Quick swap-outs for contractors
• Driver routes optimized for QC neighborhoods

We know which alleys are tight, which streets require permits, and which landfills accept specific materials—knowledge that helps you choose the right size the first time.

Still Not Sure Which Dumpster Size You Need?

Don’t worry—most people aren’t! Choosing the right dumpster size isn’t always straightforward, and no two projects are exactly alike.

If you call Speedy Dumpster Rentals LLC, we’ll ask a few simple questions:

• What kind of project are you doing?
• What materials are you disposing of?
• How quickly do you need it?
• Where will it be placed?

Then we recommend the best size based on experience—not guesswork.