| Size | Typical price (7 days) | Weight included | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | $399 – $715 | 1 ton | Garage cleanout, small bathroom remodel |
| 15 yard | $449 – $699 | 1.5 tons | Basement cleanout, flooring removal |
| 20 yard | $499 – $820 | 2 tons | Roof tear-off, kitchen remodel, estate cleanout |
| 30 yard | $599 – $995 | 3 tons | Home addition, large renovation |
| 40 yard | $699 – $1095 | 4 tons | New construction, commercial cleanout |
Three rental bases explain the spread: Prime quotes 5-day rentals, Ultimate 7-day, ZTERS 10-day. Overage at Ultimate is $175/ton, extra days $40/day. Pennsylvania bans car batteries and electronics from landfills and tires need separate drop-off — keep all three out of the box. 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. In the public right-of-way you need a Construction Staging Permit (Demolition Dumpster type) from DOMI, the city's Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, filed through OneStopPGH. Current official fees: $135 at application plus $60 at issuance, covering up to 42 days (one 42-day extension costs $40 more; permits over 18 days add a $280 Major Obstruction Fee). Ignore the $25/week figure still circulating on third-party pages — it's outdated. A homeowner can apply, though haulers commonly file it. Apply at least a week ahead, post any No Parking signs 48 hours before the permit starts, and keep the permit attached to the dumpster facing the sidewalk. On steep hill streets, ask the driver for a level stretch — the container has to sit chocked so it can't shift.
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.