Home Renovation in Sioux Falls: A Room-by-Room Debris Guide

Every room in your house generates a different amount of debris when you renovate. Before you book a dumpster, here's exactly what to expect — room by room — so you don't end up with too little space or paying for too much.

Why Renovation Debris Planning Matters

Underestimating debris is one of the most common and costly renovation mistakes Sioux Falls homeowners make. You either end up with an overflowing dumpster and overage fees, or you make trip after trip to the landfill when one well-sized dumpster would have handled everything.

Our 20-yard dumpsters are the most popular size for home renovations in Sioux Falls. They're large enough for most single-room or small multi-room projects, and we can swap them out if a big project needs more.

Quick Rule of Thumb

A 20-yard dumpster holds roughly the equivalent of 10 standard pickup truck beds. Keep that in mind as you read through each room below.

Kitchen Renovation

Expected Debris Volume

3–8 cubic yards depending on scope

Recommended

20-Yard Dumpster

3–7 Day Rental

What Comes Out of a Kitchen Demo

Heavy Items (Watch Your Weight Limit)

  • Old countertops — especially stone or tile
  • Ceramic or porcelain tile flooring
  • Concrete backerboard

Medium Weight Items

  • Cabinets and cabinet doors
  • Drywall sections
  • Old plumbing fixtures (sinks, faucets)
  • Hardwood flooring

Lighter Items

  • Vinyl flooring and underlayment
  • Old appliances (non-refrigerated)
  • Packaging and cardboard from new materials
Pro Tip:If you're pulling out granite or quartz countertops, those are heavy. Mix them with cabinet material and lighter debris to stay under the 1-ton limit.

Bathroom Renovation

Expected Debris Volume

2–5 cubic yards depending on scope

Recommended

20-Yard Dumpster

1–3 Day Rental

What Comes Out of a Bathroom Demo

Heavy Items (Watch Your Weight Limit)

  • Tile shower surround and floor tile
  • Cast iron or heavy porcelain tubs
  • Concrete board and mortar bed

Medium Weight Items

  • Vanity and medicine cabinet
  • Toilet and sink (porcelain)
  • Drywall / cement board

Lighter Items

  • Vinyl flooring
  • Old fixtures and hardware
  • Fiberglass tub/shower surrounds
Pro Tip:Cast iron tubs are extremely heavy — one tub can be 300–500 lbs. If you're pulling one out, factor that into your weight estimate before loading other materials.

Basement Renovation or Cleanout

Expected Debris Volume

8–18 cubic yards depending on scope

Recommended

20-Yard Dumpster

7 Day Rental (or multiple)

What Comes Out of a Basement

Heavy Items

  • Concrete floors (if jackhammered)
  • Old furnaces and water heaters (drained)
  • Masonry and block walls

Medium Weight Items

  • Framing lumber and subfloor
  • Drywall (often a lot of it)
  • Old carpet and padding

Lighter Items (Cleanouts)

  • Stored furniture and boxes
  • Old shelving and storage units
  • Miscellaneous household items
Pro Tip:Basement cleanouts often turn up more than expected once you start going through stored items. Go with a 7-day rental so you have time to sort without rushing.

Bedroom & Living Room Renovation

Expected Debris Volume

2–6 cubic yards per room

Recommended

20-Yard Dumpster

1–3 Day Rental

What Comes Out of Bedroom/Living Room Work

Common Items

  • Carpet and tack strips
  • Hardwood flooring or laminate
  • Drywall patches or full sections
  • Old baseboards and trim
  • Window frames (if replacing)

Furniture Cleanout Items

  • Old beds, dressers, and sofas
  • Shelving and storage units
  • Old drapes and blinds
Pro Tip:Carpet is bulky but light — you can pack a lot of it in. Fold it back on itself to reduce volume and load it first so heavier items can compress it.

Whole-Home Renovation or Multi-Room Project

Expected Debris Volume

15–40+ cubic yards

Recommended

Multiple 20-Yard Dumpsters

Swap-out as needed

For larger projects, the best approach is a rolling dumpster strategy — we deliver, you fill it, we swap it for an empty one. This works especially well for:

  • Full gut renovations before a sale or major remodel
  • Estate cleanouts where you're clearing an entire home
  • Rental property turnovers with multiple rooms of debris
  • Additions or new room builds generating ongoing debris
Pro Tip:Call us before you start and describe your project. We'll help you plan out the number of dumpsters and timing so you're never stuck waiting for pickup mid-demo.

Sioux Falls-Specific Renovation Tips

Plan Around South Dakota Weather

Sioux Falls winters can interrupt outdoor work. If you're doing exterior demo in fall or winter, build buffer days into your rental and make sure the dumpster is accessible even after snow.

Older Homes in Sioux Falls

Many Sioux Falls homes built before 1980 may have asbestos in floor tiles, insulation, or ceiling texture. If you suspect this, test before demoing — asbestos cannot go in a standard dumpster.

HOA and Permit Considerations

Most residential driveways in Sioux Falls don't require a permit for dumpster placement. Street placement may need one. Check with your HOA if applicable — we can help advise on placement.

Ready to Start Your Renovation?

Not sure which rental option fits your project? Call us and describe what you're renovating — we'll recommend the right size and duration so your renovation runs without a hitch.