Dumpster for Deck Removal
Most deck removal jobs need a 20 yard dumpster, which runs a median of $419. Expect 1.5 to 3 tons of debris.
How much it weighs
Pressure-treated lumber weighs roughly 40 lb per cubic foot when damp. A 400 sq ft deck comes to about 2 tons including framing and footings.
What to watch for
Concrete footings are heavy and some haulers want them separated from the wood.
Will it go over the weight allowance?
Very likely, and this is the number that decides your bill. A 20 yard typically includes 2 tons. This job runs 1.5 to 3 tons, so you should expect to be 1 tons over. At a median $76 a ton that is roughly $0 to $76 on top, against a median rental of $419.
That is not a reason to book a bigger container. Volume and weight are priced separately, and a 20 yard that is half full by volume can still be over on weight. The move is to tell the yard what the debris really is before they quote, so the allowance is set for the job rather than for the box.
What goes in
decking boards, framing lumber, railings, footings.
What does not: paint, solvents, tyres, batteries, appliances containing refrigerant, and anything with a fuel tank. Most yards surcharge mattresses and some refuse them outright. Ask for the prohibited list when you book rather than discovering it on collection day, because a load that has to be sorted at the gate is billed for the sorting.
Is the 20 yard the right call?
A 20 yard is 22′ × 8′ × 4.5′, roughly 6 pickup loads. If you are between sizes, the 30 yard gives you 9 loads instead. The step up costs about $101 more at the median. Going up a size buys volume, not weight allowance, so it is the right move when you are running out of room and the wrong one when you are running out of tons.
Other jobs like this one
- Roof Tear-Off 20 yd
- Kitchen Remodel 20 yd
- Basement Cleanout 20 yd
Everything about the 20 yard · every project we cover · how to avoid overage charges
Questions
- What size dumpster do I need for a deck removal?
- A 20 yard dumpster handles most deck removal jobs, 22′ × 8′ × 4.5′, about 6 pickup truck loads.
- How much does a dumpster for a deck removal cost?
- A 20 yard runs a median of $419, with most companies between $350 and $490. Weight over the included allowance is extra, typically $76 per ton.
- How much does deck removal debris weigh?
- 1.5 to 3 tons. Pressure-treated lumber weighs roughly 40 lb per cubic foot when damp. A 400 sq ft deck comes to about 2 tons including framing and footings.
- What can I put in it?
- Typically decking boards, framing lumber, railings, footings. Concrete footings are heavy and some haulers want them separated from the wood.
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