Demolition Waste Calculator

Estimate total debris weight in tons, volume in cubic yards, and number of truck loads or dumpsters required for any demolition project.

Project Details

Project Type

Floor Area Being Demoed (sq ft)

sq ft

Stories

Structural Demo

Material Breakdown

Check materials present in the demolition area.

Concrete Volume

cu yd

Roofing Area

squares (100 sq ft)

Total Demolition Debris

— tons

based on material weights + swell factors

—

Total lbs

—

Total Tons

—

Est. Cubic Yards

—

Truck Loads

Recommended Dumpster Size

—

Material Weight Breakdown

Disposal Cost Estimates

Estimated costs for different disposal methods based on your debris tonnage.

Dumpster Rental

Typical pricing: $350-$600 flat fee for a 10-yard dumpster (includes 1-2 tons). Additional tons are billed at $50-$100/ton over the limit. Best for projects spread over multiple days.

Junk Hauling Services

Services like 1-800-GOT-JUNK or local haulers charge by truck volume (1/4, 1/2, full truck). Roughly $150-$600 per haul. Good for one-time cleanouts — no need to manage a dumpster permit.

Transfer Station / C&D Landfill

Bring debris yourself in a rented truck or trailer. Fees are typically $50-$100/ton at the gate for construction & demolition waste. Cheapest option if you have a vehicle to haul it.

Hauling Cost Comparison

Side-by-side cost comparison for your estimated debris volume.

Cost by Disposal Method

What Can Be Recycled

Divert waste from the landfill — recycling demolition materials can reduce disposal costs and environmental impact.

Donation Options

How to Use This Calculator

Select project type — Interior Demo, Exterior, Roofing, Foundation, or Complete Structure. This sets context for the material types present.

Enter floor area — The total square footage of the area being demolished. For a complete structure, enter the total floor area of all stories combined.

Set stories and structural demo — Multi-story buildings multiply the floor area. Structural demo adds heavy framing weights.

Check material types — Select all materials present in the demolition. Concrete and roofing have separate quantity inputs since they vary widely.

Read the results — The calculator shows total tons, cubic yards (expanded loose debris), truck loads (10-ton truck), and recommended dumpster size.

Check Disposal Options & Hauling Cost tabs — Get cost estimates and compare disposal methods for your project size.

Demolition Terminology

Swell FactorMultiplier for the expansion of debris when broken up and loaded loose. Concrete swells ~10%; wood framing swells ~40% when broken into pieces.

C&D WasteConstruction and Demolition waste — the combined debris stream from building, renovation, or demolition projects. Regulated separately from municipal solid waste.

Roofing Square100 square feet of roofing material. A 2,000 sq ft roof equals 20 squares. Standard asphalt shingles weigh ~235 lbs per square (3-tab) to ~400 lbs/square (architectural).

Cubic Yard (CY)A volume of 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft = 27 cubic feet. The standard unit for measuring dumpster capacity and loose debris volume.

10-Yard DumpsterA roll-off dumpster holding 10 cubic yards of debris — the most common size for residential projects. Holds roughly 3-4 tons of mixed C&D debris.

MEPMechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing systems. Demo of MEP systems produces wiring, conduit, pipe, HVAC ductwork, and equipment that must be properly disposed or recycled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does debris weigh more than it sounds?

Demolition debris is denser than it looks because building materials are heavy by design. Drywall weighs 2.2 lbs/sqft, concrete is 145 lbs/cuft, and roofing shingles stack up to 400 lbs per square (100 sqft). A typical 500 sqft interior demo commonly generates 2-4 tons of debris, which surprises most homeowners.

What size dumpster do I need?

For most interior renovations (500-1000 sqft): a 10-yard dumpster. For full room additions or exterior demo: 20-yard. For whole-house gutting or roofing: 30-40 yards. The calculator recommends a dumpster size based on estimated cubic yards — always round up one size to avoid overloading.

Can I mix concrete with other debris?

Most dumpster rental companies allow mixing, but many charge a premium for concrete-heavy loads due to weight limits. Clean concrete loads can be taken to specialty recyclers for free or at very low cost (it becomes aggregate base). Separating concrete from other debris saves money if you have more than 2-3 cubic yards.

What materials cannot go in a dumpster?

Prohibited items vary by company and municipality but typically include: asbestos-containing materials (ACM), lead paint debris from pre-1978 homes (requires special handling), refrigerants, fluorescent light bulbs, electronics, tires, paint cans, and batteries. Always confirm prohibited items with your rental company before loading.

Do I need a permit to place a dumpster on the street?

Yes, in most municipalities a street/right-of-way permit is required for a dumpster placed on public property. Permits typically cost $25-$100 and take 1-5 business days to process. Dumpsters placed entirely on private property (driveway) generally do not require a permit. Ask your rental company — many handle the permit for you.