What size dumpster do you need for a kitchen remodel? For a full gut in most Longview homes, book a 20-yard. A smaller update, like new cabinets and counters in a newer house, usually fits a 10-yard. The size printed on the side matters less than you think. Weight decides the bill.
Key takeaways
How much debris does a kitchen remodel generate?
More than the room looks like it holds. San Diego County’s debris worksheet for builders (July 2022) puts a major kitchen remodel at 4.5 pounds per square foot and a minor one at 0.75. Same room, six times the debris.
Painting cabinets barely fills a pickup. Pulling cabinets, counters, tile and drywall down to the studs fills a container.
Kitchen demo debris weight, piece by piece
Say you are gutting a 12 by 14 foot kitchen with a tiled floor:
| Material | Weight used | 12 by 14 kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic floor tile on thinset | 4.7 lb per sq ft | About 790 lb |
| Half-inch cement backer board | 3.0 lb per sq ft | About 500 lb |
| 3 cm granite counters, 40 sq ft | At least 15.7 lb per sq ft | At least 630 lb |
| Half-inch drywall, 12 sheets | About 60 lb per sheet | About 720 lb |
| Before cabinets and appliances | About 2,640 lb |
Sources: tile and backer board, Boise Cascade engineering note (citing TCNA); granite, ASTM C615 minimum density; drywall, Fine Homebuilding.
That is about 1.3 tons before a single cabinet goes in. Add cabinets, a dishwasher, a range and the old subfloor, and you are near a 10-yard’s 2-ton limit. Volume runs out sooner, because cabinet boxes are bulky. Cabinets fill space. Stone and tile fill the scale ticket.
Tip
A 20-yard gives that kitchen room on both counts: 22 feet of length and 3 tons. If the load still weighs 3.5 tons, the extra half ton costs $32.50. Far cheaper than a second container.
Why older Longview kitchens weigh more than they look
U.S. Census data shows 17,605 of Longview’s 36,026 homes were built before 1980. That is close to half the city, and the biggest hidden weight sits under the tile.
Tile used to be set on a thick bed of mortar. The same Boise Cascade note puts a 2-inch mortar bed at 24 pounds per square foot. Under a 12 by 14 kitchen, that is about 4,000 pounds, a 10-yard’s entire allowance. The floor you cannot see weighs more than the kitchen you can. Find mortar under your tile? Book the 30-yard and its 4 tons.
Watch out
EPA’s asbestos guidance lists vinyl floor tiles, sheet flooring backing and flooring adhesives as common places to find asbestos, and suggests an accredited inspection before you remodel. We cannot take asbestos in any container, so test old vinyl tile before you pry it up.
Picking the right size for your kitchen
Choose the 10-yard ($325) if
- Only cabinets and counters come out
- The home has drywall and newer floors
- The flooring stays
Choose the 20-yard ($450) if
- It is a full gut down to the studs
- Tile floors or stone counters come out
- You are not sure. The price gap is fixed; a second haul is not.
Doing the kitchen plus more rooms, or found that mortar bed? The 30-yard ($650, 4 tons) covers it. See our renovation dumpster page for bigger jobs.
Three Longview mistakes that turn into extra charges
Leaving it uncovered. Longview gets about 45 inches of rain a year, according to National Weather Service records. Drywall soaks it up, and the landfill scale charges for water like debris. Rain is free. Hauling it is not. Tarp the container at night.
Parking it on the street without asking. A container on your own driveway needs no permit. One on a City of Longview street needs Public Works approval first; our Longview dumpster permit guide has the steps.
Tossing the old fridge. A refrigerator still holding refrigerant cannot go in until a certified technician recovers it. Our appliance disposal guide lists the Longview options.
Not sure yet?
Still wondering what size dumpster for a kitchen remodel like yours? Tell us what is coming out and we will confirm the size before you book. Order before noon for same-day delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 10-yard dumpster big enough for a kitchen remodel?
Yes, for a smaller update. A cabinet and counter swap or a small kitchen in a newer drywall home usually fits a 10-yard with 2 tons included. A full gut with tile floors and stone counters is a better fit for a 20-yard.
How much does a kitchen remodel dumpster cost in Longview?
A 20-yard is $450 with 3 tons and a 10-yard is $325 with 2 tons, each for 7 days with delivery and pickup. Extra weight is $65 per ton.
Can I put old kitchen cabinets and countertops in the dumpster?
Yes. Cabinets, countertops, tile, drywall and flooring all go in. Test old vinyl tile and its adhesive for asbestos first, and have refrigerant recovered from appliances before they go in.
Do I need a permit for a dumpster during a kitchen remodel?
Not on your driveway or other private property. A container on a City of Longview street needs Public Works approval before delivery.