Roof tear-offs produce some of the heaviest debris a homeowner or contractor will deal with. Between storm season and the steady pace of re-roofs across Dougherty and Lee County, we deliver a lot of roofing dumpsters. Here's how to size one correctly.
Shingle weight is the deciding factor
Roofers measure roofs in squares (one square = 100 sq ft). One square of asphalt shingles typically weighs about 200–250 lbs for 3-tab and 250–400 lbs for architectural. Add underlayment, nails, and any rotted decking and the weight climbs fast. Two layers doubles it.
That's why roofing dumpsters usually hit their weight allowance before they're full.
Which dumpster size for your roof?
| Roof size | Layers | Recommended dumpster |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ~15 squares (1,500 sq ft) | 1 | 10 or 20 yard |
| 15–30 squares (1,500–3,000 sq ft) | 1 | 20 yard |
| 15–30 squares | 2+ | 30 yard (or two pulls) |
| 30+ squares / commercial | Any | 30 or 40 yard, or scheduled swap-outs |
These are starting points. Tell us the square count, number of layers, and shingle type and we'll confirm the right size and weight allowance. See all specs on our dumpster sizes page.
How roofing affects the price
Every quote includes a weight allowance: 2–3 tons for a 10 yard, 4–5 for a 20, 5–7 for a 30, and 6–8 for a 40. Most single-layer residential roofs fit comfortably in a 20 yard. Multi-layer tear-offs and roofs with a lot of decking replacement can exceed it, in which case a per-ton overage applies. We tell you the rate upfront. More detail on our pricing page and in our cost guide.
Tips roofers use to keep dumpster costs down
- Place the container close to the drip edge so crews can throw debris straight off the roof. Tell us where you want it when you book.
- Keep other trash out. Mixing in household junk eats up your weight allowance.
- Protect the landscaping. Tarps along the foundation catch nails and granules that miss the container.
- Schedule the pickup the day you finish so the container doesn't sit through a rainstorm. Wet debris weighs more.
- For big jobs, book a swap-out rather than oversizing. We pick up the full one and drop an empty one.
Roofing contractors
If you run a roofing crew in Albany, Leesburg, Sylvester, or anywhere in our service area, ask about priority scheduling. Same-day drops are available in Albany and Leesburg when you call before noon. Our contractor's guide covers job-site logistics in more detail.
Call (229) 394-2965 with your square count and we'll quote it in about a minute.