Both get rid of the pile. The right choice depends on how long your project runs and who is doing the lifting.
How a dumpster rental works
A roll-off container is dropped at your property for several days. You load it yourself and the company hauls it away. If it has to sit on the street, most cities require a permit, and the price usually includes a weight limit with fees above it.
How junk removal works
A crew arrives with a truck or trailer, loads everything for you and leaves the same hour. You pay for the volume you use. Our trailer measures 12 ft × 6 ft × 6.5 ft, about 17.3 cubic yards.
Choose a dumpster when
- The project produces debris every day for a week or more.
- You have the people and the time to load it.
- You have space on your own property for the container.
Choose junk removal when
- Everything is ready to go at once: a cleanout, a move, the end of a remodel.
- You do not want to lift, or cannot.
- You are in an HOA, on a narrow street or without a driveway.
- You want reusable items donated and materials recycled, not all mixed in one container.
The bottom line
For one-time cleanouts and small to mid-size remodels, hauling is usually simpler, and often cheaper once you count the labor and the permit. See our prices by load and compare.
Disposal rules and fees change. This article is general information for San Diego County residents; check with your city or hauler for the current rules, or call us and we will tell you what applies to your load.