Dumpster size for a total mobile home demo

Well, around here all of the roll -offs are the same size. You fill one up, they come get it, and bring you another one. Doesn't really matter how big it is.

I am surprised to hear someone getting a roll-off to do a trailer demo. Around here a couple of guys will go and strip all of the metal off and all of the wiring out and leave all of the mess to blow all of the neighborhood! Makes a big cat breeding den.

brickhook said:

Well, around here all of the roll -offs are the same size. You fill one up, they come get it, and bring you another one. Doesn't really matter how big it is.

I am surprised to hear someone getting a roll-off to do a trailer demo. Around here a couple of guys will go and strip all of the metal off and all of the wiring out and leave all of the mess to blow all of the neighborhood! Makes a big cat breeding den.

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I do thank you for the input, but I don't think "stripped out cat breeding den" is the final result my customer was looking for. I certainly left out that minor detail on the quote, I guess.

Here we order dumpsters by the yard, in increments of 5. Fill it up, they haul it away, pay for another one, fill it up, yada yada yada.

We'll definitely be hauling the scrap, or letting someone else come take it for free, but I gotta figure all the insulation, any actual wood in the thing, roof, drywall-ish-stuff and such. I guess once it's picked clean by metal guys, might not be much left after all.

....I didn't mean for my sarcastic comment to be directed to you, I apologize . I saw guys demoing 2 mobile homes yesterday, and around here they leave the mess behind.

That was the first thing I thought about when I read demo. :thumbsup:

I Google your question and there is a couple of formulas you can use that might help.

The last time I ordered a dumpster it was the same upfront cost for the 10yd as the 40yd. I just went with the 40yd, didn't cost anything extra for the space I didn't fill.

An 80's single wide....I used a dumpster bag for the subfloor, paneling, 2x3 studs, insulation & debris. I have a 4x10 trailer I hauled all the scrap metal (siding 1st, ductwork, windows, copper then frame & axles). I loaded the dumpster bag on the trailer then stacked roof trusses.
The bags are 4x8x2.

Obviously packed for max capacity.

20 should be plenty as long as you pack it decent.

Last time I looked at trailers you could get them from 35' to 80'


That's a big difference.

Just get 40 yard dumpsters.

SectorSecurity said:

The last time I ordered a dumpster it was the same upfront cost for the 10yd as the 40yd. I just went with the 40yd, didn't cost anything extra for the space I didn't fill.

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^This. Get the 40.

Also I see those trailer frames for sale in tact with axles and tires on CL. Farmers for example can use them. I have see them for $800 to $1200. Just a thought.

I would say one 20 yd dumpster would not be enough. Around here it's by size and weight. For instance an 11 yard costs $285 up to 2 tons and $50 for each additional ton.

Thanks for all the valuable input.

Since there are multiple units to do, I think we'll start with a 40 and see how long it takes to fill up.


I have heard about those frames/axles being sold to farmers too. That's a nice little source of side revenue. We'll take them apart like an onion then sell the frames/axle combination.

Unfortunately, my trailer is all shelved out inside and would be crappy for hauling any significant amount.

Get the 40cy, they fill up quicker than you might think. Also, most people leave a lot of crap behind. I state in my contracts that disposal of personal belongings is a CO. If the units are close, and the first doesnt fill up the 40, use it on the second as well.

It sounds like you dont have a flatbed trailer, only a van trailer. I would save the frame and axles for myself, and use the cash from the sale of the other metal to build a simple 16-20' flatbed trailer...