Got a pile that has to go and can’t decide whether to rent a dumpster or call a junk removal crew? Placer Dumpster Rental And Junk Removal LLC is based in Rocklin and offers both across Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay and Loomis. Because we offer both, this guide lays out our real prices and the trade-offs so you can pick the cheaper, easier option for your project. Questions? Call or text (916) 878-0304.
The short answer
A dumpster usually costs less per cubic yard, but you do every bit of the lifting. Junk removal costs more for a big load, but that price buys the labor: we carry everything out, load it and drive off the same visit. For a handful of items, junk removal is almost always cheaper, because our $150 minimum is well under the $399 starting price of our smallest dumpster.
Prices side by side
| Option | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| 10 yard dumpster | $399 for one day; $599 max for up to 7 days | Delivery, pickup and the first 1 ton of dump fees |
| 12 yard dumpster | $449 for one day; $649 max for up to 7 days | Delivery, pickup and the first 1 ton of dump fees |
| 15 yard dumpster | $499 for one day; $699 max for up to 7 days | Delivery, pickup and the first 1 ton of dump fees |
| Junk removal, small load | $150 minimum | Labor, loading and hauling |
| Junk removal, half of our 15-yard trailer | About $500 | Labor, loading and hauling |
| Junk removal, full 15-yard trailer | About $900 | Labor, loading and hauling |
Dumpster extra days are $50 each through day 5, and days 6 and 7 are free, which is where those 7-day maximums come from. Past 7 days, call us for a price. If a dumpster load goes over 1 ton, the extra weight is prorated at $110 per ton. Junk removal is priced by how much trailer space your stuff fills, and you get a price for your job before anything is loaded. The dumpster cost breakdown and our dumpster rental pricing page go deeper on the dumpster side.
Rough breakeven math
Using only our own prices, here is how common job sizes compare:
- A few items (a couch, a mattress, some boxes). Junk removal at the $150 minimum wins by a wide margin. Renting a dumpster for this means paying $399 for space you won’t fill. Our bulky item pickup guide also covers what the cities offer.
- Around 7 to 10 cubic yards. Half of our trailer, roughly 7.5 cubic yards, runs about $500 with labor. A 10 yard dumpster for one day is $399 and holds a little more. If you can load it yourself in a day, the dumpster saves you about $100.
- About 15 cubic yards. A full trailer is about $900. A 15 yard dumpster is $499 for a day or $699 for up to a week, so doing the work yourself saves roughly $200 to $400.
- Heavy debris. Tile and roofing shingles weigh a lot for their size. In a dumpster, anything past the included ton adds $110 per ton, prorated, so factor that in for dense loads.
Put simply, the gap between the two prices is what you’d be paying for someone else’s back and time.
Time, labor and who loads
With a dumpster, you or your helpers carry every item from the house, garage or backyard and lift it over the side. That’s fine for drywall scraps and bagged debris, but a lot harder with a sleeper sofa, an old fridge or anything coming down stairs. Junk removal is a one-stop visit: you point, we do the carrying and loading, and the space is clear when we leave. Truly heavy single items like a hot tub or a piano are a junk removal job, not something to wrestle into a container.
Driveway space and timing
All three dumpster sizes are about 7 feet wide and 10 to 12 feet long, sized for a residential driveway. The 15 yard has the same footprint as the 12 yard and is one foot taller. Delivery is in the morning, usually between 7 and 10 AM, so you can start loading that morning. If your driveway is short, steep or shared, or the only spot is the street, read our permit rules by city first. Junk removal leaves nothing behind on the driveway.
When a dumpster is the better pick
- A kitchen, bath or flooring remodel where mixed debris piles up over several days
- A roof tear-off or a deck demolition (see roofing dumpsters)
- A big cleanout where family members are sorting as they go
- You have able helpers and want the lowest price per yard
Not sure of the size? The dumpster size guide matches projects to the 10, 12 and 15 yard. Local details are on our Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln dumpster pages. Soil, sod and concrete don’t go in these dumpsters; they belong in our separate concrete and dirt dumpster.
When junk removal is the better pick
- A one-time pile of furniture, appliances and boxes
- A garage cleanout you want finished in a single trip
- An estate cleanout where nobody can safely lift heavy pieces
- Heavy or awkward items, stairs, side yards or long carries
- No room on the driveway, or you don’t want a container sitting out for days
See local junk removal in Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln.
A quick decision checklist
Answer these five questions. Mostly “yes” points to a dumpster, mostly “no” points to junk removal:
- Will the debris come out over more than one day?
- Can you and your helpers safely lift everything?
- Is there a flat spot about 7 by 12 feet on your driveway?
- Is the load bigger than a few pieces of furniture?
- Is saving money worth more to you than saving time?
Still split? Text us a photo of the pile and we’ll tell you which one costs less for your job.
What neither option can take
Paint, solvents, gasoline, hazardous waste, car batteries, railroad ties and telephone poles can’t go in our dumpsters or our trailer. The hazardous waste and e-waste guide lists local drop-off options, and where your junk goes explains what happens to the rest.
Dumpster vs. junk removal FAQ
Is it cheaper to rent a dumpster or hire junk removal?
For a few items, junk removal is cheaper, starting at a $150 minimum. For larger loads, a dumpster usually costs less if you load it yourself: a 10 yard is $399 for a day, while half of our 15-yard trailer is about $500 with labor.
How much does junk removal cost in Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln?
There is a $150 minimum, about $500 for half of our 15-yard trailer and about $900 for a full trailer. Labor is included.
How long can I keep a dumpster?
Pick the number of days when you book. Extra days are $50 each through day 5, days 6 and 7 add nothing, and anything past 7 days is priced by phone.
Can I put concrete or dirt in a regular dumpster?
No. Soil, sod and concrete go in our separate concrete and dirt dumpster, not the 10, 12 or 15 yard dumpsters.
Do you serve Granite Bay and Loomis too?
Yes. We offer both dumpster rental and junk removal in Granite Bay and Loomis as well as Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln.
Get a straight answer for your project
Call or text (916) 878-0304 with your address, a photo of the pile and your dates, and we’ll recommend the cheaper option. You can also check dumpster availability and book online.
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