| Size | Typical price (7 days) | Weight included | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | $495 – $715 | 1 ton | Garage cleanout, small bathroom remodel |
| 15 yard | $449 – $750 | 1.5 tons | Basement cleanout, flooring removal |
| 20 yard | $499 – $850 | 2 tons | Roof tear-off, kitchen remodel, estate cleanout |
| 30 yard | $710 – $995 | 3 tons | Home addition, large renovation |
| 40 yard | $810 – $1095 | 4 tons | New construction, commercial cleanout |
Ultimate Dumpsters quotes 7-day all-in prices (overage $165/ton, extra days $45/day); ZTERS quotes a 10-day basis — do not compare the two windows as if they were the same product. Local HTX prices are from the hauler's own published figures (2022 release reporting its website prices). The 30-yard is Houston's most-rented size (33% of one broker's local orders); in the Heights and Montrose, narrow older lots make the driveway spot the hard part. Your exact quote depends on debris type, how long you keep the bin, and how far the truck drives.
Weight overages. Go over the included tonnage and most haulers charge roughly $50–$100 per extra ton. Heavy debris (concrete, dirt, shingles) hits the limit fast — that's what the smaller 10-yard "heavy debris" bins exist for.
Extra days. The standard rental is 7 days. Extra days typically run $10–$25 per day, or a flat fee per week. Ask before you book, not after.
Debris type. Clean construction debris is cheapest. Mixed household junk is mid-range. Tires, mattresses, appliances with refrigerant, paint and anything hazardous cost extra or are refused outright.
Driveway or private lot: no permit. On a street, curb, sidewalk or alley you need a Roadway and Sidewalk Obstructions / Right-of-Way permit from the Houston Permitting Center (Houston Public Works). The city doesn't publish the fee on its pages — haulers typically coordinate it and fold it into the rental; most clear within a few business days, though the full obstruction permit can take up to ten. Houston has no traditional zoning, so your deed restrictions and HOA rules matter as much as the city's. Separate trap for businesses: a commercial container over 50 cubic feet, or any commercial container kept on-site over 60 days, needs a Combustible Waste Storage (Dumpster) Permit from Houston Solid Waste (1-year permits start around $187–$201) regardless of placement.
Book the size you're sure about, not the size you hope for — one 20-yard bin is cheaper than two 10-yard swaps. Keep the rental inside 7 days. Load heavy material evenly and don't fill past the rim; an overloaded bin gets refused and you pay a trip fee anyway. If your project is flexible, ask about weekday delivery pricing — some haulers discount off-peak drops.