Free tool · for pros
Short answer: Enter how many units you turn each month and how much is usually left behind. The planner adds up the cubic yards, recommends a size for your swap schedule, and prices it with local 2026 rates.
| Size | Swaps needed / month | Price per swap | Monthly | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yard | 2 | $530 | $1,060 | $177 |
| 15-yard | 2 | $580 | $1,160 | $193 |
| 20-yard | 1 | $635 | $635 | $106 |
| 30-yard | 1 | $705 | $705 | $118 |
| 40-yard | 1 | $808 | $808 | $135 |
Monthly volume = units per month × pickup loads per turn × about 3.3 cubic yards (Dumpsters.com says a 20-yard holds about 6 pickup loads). That volume is split across your swaps to pick the smallest container that holds one swap's worth. Prices are the median 7-day rental price for the nearest city we cover, or the national median if your ZIP is outside our coverage.
See also: dumpster rental for property managers and what tenants' leftovers can and can't go in.
It depends on how much residents leave and how often you can swap. One to two lightly furnished turns usually fit in a 10-yard. If you turn several units a month and can only swap every two weeks or monthly, a 20- or 30-yard often costs less per unit. Enter your numbers above to compare every size.
Fewer, larger pulls are usually cheaper per cubic yard than many small rentals, because each delivery and pickup has a fixed cost. The trade-off is space and outside dumping: an open container on site fills with neighbors’ trash. Ask haulers for a recurring-service price before deciding.
It varies widely. Some turns leave a few bags; evictions can leave a fully furnished unit. This planner measures it in pickup-truck loads (about 3.3 cubic yards each, since Dumpsters.com says a 20-yard holds about 6) so you can estimate from what you see on a typical move-out.
Usually not, because the lot is private property. A city permit is generally needed only when the container sits on a public street or sidewalk. Check fire-lane and HOA rules.