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What Size Dumpster Do I Need? A Jefferson County Guide

January 15, 2026 · Sizing

A 15-yard roll-off dumpster from Dandy Ridge Dumpsters in a driveway in Jefferson County, TN

So you've got a big project brewing in Jefferson County, maybe a garage cleanout or a new deck. Good for you. But before you start tearing into things, you're probably wondering, "What size dumpster do I even need?" That's a fair question, and it's one Jason Martin at Dandy Ridge Dumpsters hears all the time. We're your local, locally owned roll-off dumpster company right here in Dandridge, Tennessee, and we serve all of Jefferson County and the towns around Douglas Lake, places like Jefferson City, Morristown, White Pine, New Market, Sevierville, Newport, Kodak, and Knoxville. We're here to help you figure out the right box for your job, so you don't end up paying for more than you need, or worse, needing a second one. (For the full dollars-and-cents side, see our cost breakdown.)

Our 15-yard dumpster: one box, first come, first served

Here's the honest story on our 15-yard: there's exactly one of them, because it's the original dumpster the company started with. When it's not working one of our own jobs, we rent it out, so it's first come, first served. It's 15 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 3.5 feet high, holds about 5 to 6 pickup truck loads, and the low walls make it the easiest box to load by hand. It runs $450 for 7 days, with pickup, disposal, and up to 1 ton (that's 2,000 pounds) of weight covered. If it's out on a job when you call, don't sweat it. The 20-yard's 3-day rate is cheaper anyway.

Our 20-yard dumpster: the workhorse we run every day

Now, if your project is a bit bigger, you'll want to look at our 20-yard dumpster. It's got the same footprint as the 15-yard, 15 feet long and 8 feet wide, but the walls are taller, coming in at 4.25 feet high. That extra height means it holds more, about 7 to 8 pickup truck loads. This is the workhorse for whole-house cleanouts, bigger remodels, or if you've got a serious amount of construction or demolition debris. Got a larger roof to tear off? The 20-yard is usually the right call. We've got a few rental options for this one: $375 for 3 days or $475 for 7 days, and if you're on a longer job, $649 monthly plus $250 swap-outs. The 3-day and 7-day rates cover pickup and disposal of up to 1 ton of weight; the monthly is billed at $85 per ton.

Curbside pickup: when a dumpster is too much

Sometimes you don't need a whole dumpster, just a big pile of junk gone. Maybe you cleaned out the shed and have a stack of old lumber, or you finally got around to clearing out that corner of the yard. For those single, manageable piles, we offer curbside pickup for $240. It's a simple way to get rid of that one big mess without renting a whole box.

Weight matters: what's included and what's extra

Every dumpster rental, whether it's a 15-yard or a 20-yard, includes up to 1 ton (that's 2,000 pounds) of weight. Most residential cleanouts and smaller projects stay well within that limit. But a heavy allowed load, like a full roof's worth of shingles, can push you over. (Concrete, dirt, and other fill can't go in our boxes at all, so those aren't a factor.) Don't sweat it too much, though. If you're in Jefferson, Hamblen, or Cocke County, any weight over that first ton is $85 per extra ton. If you're a little farther out, say in Sevierville or Knoxville, it's $125 per extra ton. We'll let you know if you're getting close, and we're always upfront about the costs. No surprises.

How to pick the right size for your project

So how do you make the final call on which dumpster is right for your project here in Jefferson County? Here's a simple rule of thumb we tell folks all the time: if you're stuck between two sizes, always go with the bigger one. It might seem like you're spending a little more up front, but trust us, it's almost always cheaper than having to rent a second dumpster because your first one filled up too fast. Nobody wants to pay for two hauls when one could have done the trick. We know the kinds of projects people tackle around Dandridge and the surrounding towns, and we've seen it all. That experience helps us guide you. And remember, when we drop a dumpster, we put it where you want it, and we don't tear up the yard getting it there. On a new driveway, you can add our rolliskates, pads that spread the box's weight. We treat your property like our own, because we're your neighbors.

Ready to book?

Still not sure which size is right? No problem at all. That's what Jason's here for. He answers the phone himself, and he's happy to talk through your project and help you pick the right dumpster. Just give him a call or shoot him a text at (865) 352-1889. You can also book online if you already know what you need, or try our size guide. We're Dandy Ridge Dumpsters, and we're ready to help you clean up your project, big or small, right here in Jefferson County.

Got a project? Let's get you a dumpster.

Call or text Jason, tell us the address and what you're working on, and we'll get a roll-off on the calendar, often as soon as the same day.

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