Four questions to answer
What is it made of?
Bulky and light (furniture, boxes, brush) or dense and heavy (shingles, tile, concrete, soil)? Heavy material points to a smaller container whatever the pile looks like.
How big would the pile be?
Picture it heaped in the driveway. A pile the size of a parked car is roughly 10 to 15 cubic yards; a pile filling a one-car garage floor to waist height is in the same range.
Is it one job or several?
If you're clearing the basement now and the garage next month, two smaller rentals may suit you better than one large one sitting idle.
How long will loading take?
A weekend job and a month-long renovation need different rental periods, and that affects which size is worth paying for.
Rough starting points
| Project | Often starts at |
|---|---|
| Bathroom tear-out | 10 yards |
| Single-car garage cleanout | 10 to 15 yards |
| Kitchen remodel | 15 to 20 yards |
| Full basement | 20 yards |
| Roof tear-off | Ask: it depends on layers and weight |
| Whole-house cleanout | 30 yards |
Between two sizes
For light, bulky loads, the larger size usually costs less than a second haul. For heavy loads, stay smaller and ask about the weight allowance instead.
Whatever you choose, keep the load level with the rim. A container heaped above the walls can't be tarped or hauled safely, and the driver may ask you to take some out. Typical dimensions are on the sizes page.
Book a roll-off for your project
Describe what you're getting rid of. An independent local roll-off company will suggest a container, offer delivery dates and give you its price.
Use this number to rent a roll-off or a portable toilet. South Bend garbage, recycling and bulk pickup questions go to 311.
Call hours: Monday to Saturday 8am–8pm, Sunday 8am–1pm (South Bend time)
Your call may be recorded; see the referral disclosure.