What Will You Throw Away?
Start by making a list of everything you plan to remove during your remodel. A simple half-bath upgrade might only involve a small sink, a toilet, some drywall, and maybe light flooring. In that case, you won’t need a large dumpster. But if you're gutting a full master bathroom, you'll likely be tossing heavy and bulky items like an old bathtub, vanity, tile, mirrors, shower doors, insulation, and maybe even sub-flooring. The more items you're removing, the more space you'll need to handle the debris efficiently. Taking stock of what you’re replacing helps you estimate both the size and weight of your trash so you don’t run into space or cost issues mid-project.
How Big is the Bathroom
The square footage of your bathroom plays a key role in what dumpster size you’ll need. Small powder rooms—often under 30 square feet—don’t generate much debris and can usually be handled with a 10-yard bin. But if you’re remodeling a larger space, like a master bath with a double vanity, full-size bathtub, tile shower, and extensive cabinetry, the volume of waste will increase significantly. Bigger bathrooms simply come with more materials to remove, which means more debris to toss. Think about the size and layout of the space so you can match it to the right dumpster.
How Heavy Is The Trash?
It’s not just how much space the debris takes up—it’s how much it weighs. Heavier materials like porcelain tile, natural stone, cast iron tubs, and concrete backer board can quickly add up to hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Even if your dumpster looks half full, you could hit the weight limit if the contents are dense. On the other hand, lighter materials like wood trim, drywall, or plastic piping won’t impact weight as quickly. If your remodel includes heavy components, it’s important to factor in those materials when selecting a dumpster size and checking the rental’s included weight allowance.
How Long Will the Remodel Take?
The length of your project also matters. If you’re knocking out a quick remodel in a couple of days, a smaller dumpster might work just fine—especially if you're working in a small space. But if your project is spread out over a week or more, you’ll probably generate more trash than you expected. In Murfreesboro, most dumpster rental companies offer standard plans for 3 to 7 days, and many allow extensions if you need more time. If your job involves multiple stages—like demolition, installation, and finishing touches—you may want to consider a slightly larger dumpster or ask about flexible rental periods. Planning ahead helps avoid the need for a second dumpster or costly last-minute extensions.
