Kitchen Demolition Debris Disposal Guide

Drywall and insulation being torn out of a interior kitchen wall

Updated February 19, 2023

There are many elements to pulling off a kitchen renovation, and disposal is one of them.

A significant amount of debris can result from a kitchen renovation project and you'll want to make sure you have a disposal plan in place before you start tearing into your flooring, tiling, and walls.

Renting a dumpster is the most cost and time-efficient way to maintain debris throughout the course of a renovation.

We'll go over everything you need to know about renting a dumpster for kitchen renovations so that you can make the most informed decision for your particular project. 

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Volume of Kitchen Debris

The amount of debris your kitchen demolition generates can vary greatly based on the size of the kitchen and the scale of the renovation project.

A full kitchen demolition can generate quite a bit of debris, from the cabinets to countertops, sink, flooring, appliances, and more.

The debris generated from most kitchen renovation projects can be handled by a 10 yard dumpster.

Larger kitchens, or projects that involve taking down walls and removing flooring, may require a 20 yard dumpster.

To visualize the capacity of a 10 yard dumpster, keep in mind that 1 cubic yard is about the size of a standard kitchen stove (3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft), and about 10 kitchen stoves can fit inside a 10 yard dumpster.

10 yard dumpster volume infographic

Bulkier items will take up much more space, so maximize your dumpster by breaking down cabinetry to remove as much 'empty space' as possible when loading in the dumpster.

One more key point to consider is that some dumpster rental companies may not allow the disposal of appliances, or they may charge additional fees to do so.

This is most often true for refrigerators due to the presence of freon that helps to keep the internal compartment of your refrigerator cool.

Be sure to check with the rental company to ensure you comply with all regulations.

Dumpster Rental vs Other Disposal Options

Pile of kitchen renovation debris

For projects like a kitchen renovation or demolition, a roll-off dumpster or trailer dumpster is an ideal disposal option.

Here are some reasons why:

  • 10 or 20 yard dumpsters provide ample space to accommodate the debris from just about any kitchen demo. 
  • Dumpsters allow for a quicker, more immediate cleanup compared to other disposal methods.
  • Hauling the appliances and debris to the landfill yourself may require multiple trips, costing you more in terms of time, work, landfill dump fees, and wear-and-tear on your vehicle and/or equipment.
  • Piecing out debris and disposing of it in the weekly trash cart or a commercial dumpster is illegal in most cities and states. Construction & demolition (C&D) debris should not be mixed with general wastes.
  • Bagster and other bag-style dumpsters generally have approximately 3 cubic yards of loading capacity. That’s not enough capacity to accommodate a kitchen demolition project and it would likely take three or more of these bags to complete the job, costing far more than simply renting a 10 or 20 yard roll-off container.

Hiring a junk removal company is a much more convenient option than renting a dumpster, simply due to the fact that you're no longer on the hook for the heavy labor, but convenience has a price. 

Unless you only have a couple bags worth of debris or a couple appliances to get rid of, it will likely be cheaper to rent a dumpster than pay a junk removal crew to haul your renovation debris for you.

In circumstances where your kitchen renovation only produces a couple cubic yards of debris, it might actually be more cost-efficient (and certainly more time-efficient) to hire a junk removal crew.

If you're unsure about which service would be best for your kitchen renovation, get multiple quotes from both types of providers.

Hometown published locally-owned and operated junk removal and dumpster rental companies across the U.S., so you can enter your zip code and browse both types of providers in your area.

You can fill out a single quote request form to send to multiple local companies so that you can compare pricing, availability, and customer service to help you make the best disposal choice for your project.

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Dumpster Rental Costs

Prices vary by company and location, so it’s a good idea to contact 2-3 dumpster rental providers to ensure you’re getting the best price and service.

Another key point to consider is availability, especially when dumpster companies tend to be the busiest (summer, construction/renovation season).

Call and book your dumpster early (1-2 weeks in advance) to ensure the right size roll-off container or trailer is available.

On average, expect to pay anywhere from $250-$550 for a 10 or 20 yard dumpster rental, which usually includes a 5 or 7-day rental period.

The easiest way to get the best price for a dumpster rental is to:

  1. Rent from a local company (they have lower overhead fees and more flexibility than large chains)
  2. Get multiple quotes from companies near you

We recommend considering smaller, local dumpster rental providers rather than focusing on large waste companies like Waste Management.

You can oftentimes get better, more personalized service with a smaller company, and a better price, too.

Getting multiple quotes helps you determine what a competitive price is in your area, and it can also help you gauge the level of customer service you can expect from each company.

Learn more by filling out our quote request form in a matter of seconds and send it out to qualified, reputable providers near you!


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