Garage Cleanout Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

1. Select garage size – Choose 1-car, 2-car, 3-car, or enter custom dimensions
2. Adjust ceiling height – Standard is 8 ft; adjust if your garage has higher ceilings
3. Estimate fullness – How much of the space is occupied by items to remove?
4. Select content types – Check all categories that describe what's in your garage
5. Note special items – Flag any items that may have disposal restrictions
6. Enter your zipcode – We use this to calculate local pricing for accurate cost estimates
7. Get your recommendation – See debris estimates, optimal dumpster size, and total estimated cost based on your location

How We Calculate Your Dumpster Needs

This calculator estimates debris volume based on your garage dimensions and fullness level, then factors in weight based on the types of items you're disposing of.

Volume Calculation

The 20% packing efficiency accounts for the fact that garage clutter doesn't pack solid—there's air space between irregular items. The 15% buffer ensures you have enough capacity for unexpected items.

Weight Estimation

Different items have different weights. Based on EPA guidelines for construction and demolition materials, we use the following density values:

How We Select Your Dumpster Size

Selecting the right dumpster involves balancing volume capacity, weight limits, and cost. Here's exactly how our calculator makes recommendations.

Understanding Effective Capacity

Each dumpster has two limits that determine how much debris it can actually hold:

• Volume capacity – Physical space inside (e.g., 20 cubic yards)
• Weight limit – Maximum weight allowed (includes "included weight" in the rental price, plus a "max weight" hard limit)

For heavy debris, you may hit the weight limit before filling the volume. We calculate the effective capacity as the lesser of the two:

Example: A 20-yard dumpster with a 3-ton included weight limit. If your debris density is 400 lbs/yd³:

• Weight-limited capacity = (3 × 2000) ÷ 400 = 15 yd³
• Effective capacity = MIN(17, 15) = 15 yd³ (weight is the limiting factor)

Selection Logic

For each dumpster size, we calculate using your local pricing based on zipcode:

1. Units needed – How many dumpsters of this size to fit your volume
2. Regional base price – National average adjusted for your area's cost tier
3. Overage fees – Extra cost if weight exceeds included weight (also regionally adjusted)
4. Total estimated cost – Regional base price × units + regional overage fees

We then recommend the option with the lowest total estimated cost in your area. This means different zipcodes may get different recommendations based on local pricing.

How Overage Fees Work

Each dumpster has two weight limits:

• Included weight – Weight covered by the base rental price (e.g., 3 tons for a 20-yard)
• Max weight – Absolute maximum the dumpster can hold (e.g., 5 tons for a 20-yard)

A dumpster cannot be loaded beyond max weight – the hauler will refuse pickup or charge for a second trip. If your load falls between included and max weight, overage fees apply:

Overage fees vary by region because they're tied to local landfill tipping fees. According to EREF's landfill tipping fee data, disposal costs range from ~$45/ton in lower-cost states to over $80/ton in high-cost regions. We adjust overage rates based on your zipcode to provide location-accurate estimates.

Example: Your debris weighs 4.5 tons in a 20-yard dumpster (3-ton included, 5-ton max):

• 4.5 tons is under max (5 tons) ✓ – pickup allowed
• Overage = 4.5 − 3 = 1.5 tons over included weight
• If local overage rate is $90/ton → Overage fee = 1.5 × $90 = $135

Available Dumpster Sizes

Note: "Volume" shown is effective capacity after accounting for typical packing efficiency (~85%). Prices shown are national averages and vary by location.

What Can and Can't Go in a Dumpster

✓ Generally Accepted

• Furniture (couches, chairs, tables, shelving)
• General household junk and clutter
• Appliances (washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators*)
• Exercise equipment
• Yard tools and equipment
• Building materials (lumber, drywall, flooring)
• Boxes, bags, and packaging materials
• Mattresses, tires, electronics (fees may apply)

*Refrigerators, freezers, and AC units require freon removal (~$35-50 fee)

✗ Never Accepted

Per EPA household hazardous waste guidelines, the following items require special disposal:

• Paint, stains, and solvents
• Motor oil, gasoline, and automotive fluids
• Pesticides and chemicals
• Batteries (car batteries, lithium batteries)
• Propane tanks
• Medical waste

Tip: Take these items to your local household hazardous waste facility. Most communities offer free drop-off days or permanent collection sites.

Tips for Your Garage Cleanout

• 1. Start with large items first – Load bulky furniture and appliances to create a base layer, then fill gaps with smaller items.
• 2. Break down furniture and shelving – Disassemble what you can to maximize space and reduce air gaps.
• 3. Sort before loading – Separate hazardous materials, donations, and recyclables before the dumpster arrives.
• 4. Consider donating first – Many items may have value to others. Schedule donation pickup before your cleanout date.
• 5. Don't overfill – Keep debris level with the top of the dumpster. Overfilled dumpsters incur extra fees or won't be picked up.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Methodology

This calculator uses data from authoritative sources cited throughout this page:

• Debris densities – Based on EPA construction and demolition material guidelines
• Regional pricing – Derived from EREF landfill tipping fee research
• Prohibited items – Per EPA household hazardous waste regulations

About our estimates: A 15% safety buffer is included to account for variations in item sizes and loading efficiency. Dumpster specifications (weight limits, effective capacity) reflect industry standards from major rental providers.

Related Calculators

• General Dumpster Size Calculator – Quick estimates for any project type
• Concrete & Masonry Calculator – For heavy material disposal
• Roofing Debris Calculator – For shingle tear-off projects