Most garage cleanouts fit in a 10 yard dumpster, and a 20 yard dumpster is the safer pick if your garage is packed full or you are tossing big furniture. Those two sizes cover almost every garage job we see. At Capri Carting, we have handled thousands of cleanouts, and picking the right size up front saves you money and a second trip. Here is how to choose, what fits, and what it costs you if you guess wrong.
Why a Dumpster Beats Trash Bags for a Garage Cleanout
A garage holds more than people think. Old paint cans, broken tools, bikes, boxes, and busted furniture add up fast. A dumpster rental lets you throw things away as you work instead of stacking bags at the curb for weeks. Everything leaves your driveway in one pickup, and you get your garage back in a weekend.
When a 10 Yard Dumpster Is the Right Size
A 10 yard dumpster is our most common pick for garage cleanouts. It is about 12 feet long, 6.5 feet wide, and 5 feet tall, so it holds roughly 4 pickup truck loads. The low walls make it easy to toss heavy boxes over the side without a ramp. It fits on most Staten Island driveways with room to still park a car.
Choose the 10 yard if your cleanout looks like this:
- A one car or small two car garage
- Mostly boxes, bins, yard tools, and small junk
- One or two pieces of furniture at most
- You have cleaned it out within the last few years
When to Step Up to a 20 Yard Dumpster
The 20 yard dumpster is our most popular size overall, and it is the smart call for a heavy garage. It runs about 19 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 5 feet tall, and holds close to 7 pickup loads. The walls stay low like the 10 yard, so loading is still easy. Go bigger if you are clearing out a garage that has been filling up for ten or twenty years.
A 20 yard makes sense when you have:
- A packed two car garage with stacked storage
- Old couches, mattresses, cabinets, or workbenches
- Scrap wood, drywall, or leftover building material
- A garage cleanout plus a basement or attic at the same time
Be Honest About Cost and Weight
Going one size too small costs more than going one size too big. If your dumpster fills up early, you pay for a second haul, and your project stalls for a day or two. Our 10 yard comes with one ton of weight included and the 20 yard comes with two tons, both on a rental of up to 7 days. Also, debris has to sit level with the top rail. We cannot legally haul a container with junk sticking out, so an overfilled small dumpster turns into a delay.
What You Cannot Put in the Dumpster
Garages hide a lot of items we are not allowed to take. Set these aside before loading day and drop them at a household hazardous waste event instead. If you are not sure about something, just call and ask. We would rather answer a quick question than leave items behind at pickup.
- Paint, oil, solvents, and chemicals
- Car batteries and tires
- Fridges, freezers, and AC units with refrigerant
- Asbestos
Getting a Dumpster Delivered to Your Home
We drop dumpsters on driveways across Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the rest of the five boroughs, and our drivers put boards under the container to protect your surface. Same day and next day slots are usually open, though calling 24 to 48 hours ahead locks in a morning window. You do not need to be home as long as the drop spot is clear. A dumpster on a private driveway does not need a permit, but one on a public street does, and we handle that paperwork for you.
Conclusion
For most garage cleanouts, start with the 10 yard and move up to the 20 yard if your garage is full or heavy on furniture. Both sizes load easily, fit a driveway, and come with a 7 day rental so you are not rushed. Tell us what is in your garage and we will match you to the right dumpster rental the first time. Call Capri Carting at 718-494-8973 or request a dumpster online to get your driveway cleared this week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I keep the dumpster for a garage cleanout?
Our standard rental is up to 7 days, which is plenty for a weekend project. If you need more time, call us and we will add days to your rental.
Will the dumpster fit in my driveway?
A 10 yard needs about 12 feet of length and a 20 yard needs about 19 feet, plus clear space overhead for the truck. Most Staten Island driveways handle either size.
Can I mix furniture, boxes, and old building material?
Yes. Mixed household junk and construction debris can go in the same container. Just keep hazardous items out.
