Free Tool
Dumpster Weight Calculator
Add the items you're tossing and we'll estimate your load weight — so you know which size you need and whether you'll stay under the limit.
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Tap + to add items, − to remove. Scroll down to see your estimate update live.
Dumpster Weight Limits in Raleigh, NC
Every Red Hawk dumpster rental includes a weight allowance. Go over and you'll be charged overage at $0.04 per pound — so knowing your load weight upfront saves money. Here's what's included in each size we serve across the Triangle:
13-Yard Dumpster
$245Weight Limit: 4,000 lbs (2 tons)
Single-room remodels, garage cleanouts, small deck removals. Heavy materials like tile or concrete can hit this limit fast — even when the container looks half-empty.
Book this size →20-Yard Dumpster
$285Weight Limit: 5,000 lbs (2.5 tons)
Full kitchen and bath remodels, roofing up to 35 squares, multi-room flooring replacements. Our most popular size for Triangle homeowners and remodelers.
Book this size →30-Yard Dumpster
$395Weight Limit: 6,000 lbs (3 tons)
New construction, full home gut-outs, commercial tenant improvement, and large roofing jobs. The most forgiving limit — mixed loads typically land under it.
Book this size →What Affects Dumpster Load Weight?
The volume of a dumpster is fixed — but the weight of your load depends entirely on what you're throwing away. Two 20-yard dumpsters can weigh very different amounts depending on the materials inside. Here's what drives weight up faster than most homeowners expect:
Concrete & Masonry
Concrete weighs roughly 150 lbs per cubic foot. A seemingly small load of broken concrete slabs or brick can exceed the weight limit on a 13-yard dumpster before it looks a quarter full. If your project involves concrete demolition, call us before booking.
Roofing Shingles
A square of asphalt shingles (100 sq ft) weighs 200–350 lbs depending on layers. A full roof tear-off on a 2,000 sq ft home can easily run 4,000–7,000 lbs — often requiring a 20 or 30-yard container to stay within weight limits.
Tile & Flooring
Ceramic and porcelain tile is extremely dense — a box of 20 tiles can weigh 40–60 lbs. Full bathroom and kitchen tile demo loads add up quickly. Our calculator accounts for this when you add flooring boxes above.
Cast Iron & Appliances
A cast iron tub alone weighs 300–400 lbs. Old refrigerators, washers, and dryers typically run 150–250 lbs each. Mixed loads with multiple appliances can approach weight limits fast in a 13-yard container.
Drywall
A standard 4×8 sheet of ½" drywall weighs about 55 lbs. A whole-house interior demo involving dozens of sheets adds up to thousands of pounds — often more than homeowners estimate at the start.
Lumber & Framing
Green or pressure-treated lumber is significantly heavier than dry wood. Framing debris, deck boards, and fence materials from demolition can easily push a 13-yard container toward its weight limit.
Pro tip: When your load includes heavy dense materials — concrete, tile, shingles — size up or call us. It's almost always cheaper to go bigger upfront than to pay overage after pickup. Call (919) 823-4295 and we'll size it in 60 seconds.
Serving the Triangle — Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill & Beyond
Red Hawk Dumpsters delivers roll-off containers across Wake, Durham, Orange, Johnston, and Harnett counties. Whether you're a homeowner in Angier doing a bathroom remodel or a contractor running new construction in Raleigh, our flat-rate pricing and same-day delivery make the process simple.
Dumpster Weight FAQ — Raleigh & Triangle Area
How much does a typical dumpster load weigh?
It depends heavily on materials. A light residential cleanout — furniture, bags of clothes, cardboard — might come in under 1,000 lbs. A bathroom remodel with tile, drywall, and a cast iron tub can easily hit 3,000–4,000 lbs. Use this calculator to estimate before you book.
What happens if my load exceeds the weight limit?
You'll be charged overage at $0.04 per pound on anything over the included weight limit. We weigh every load and only charge for what you actually use. No surprise bills — we tell you before payment is processed.
Can I put concrete in a residential dumpster?
Yes — concrete is accepted in all three of our dumpster sizes. However, concrete is extremely heavy. A 13-yard container can hit its 4,000 lb limit with a relatively small volume of broken concrete. If your project involves significant concrete removal, we recommend calling us first to discuss sizing.
Is the weight limit different for roofing jobs?
The weight limits are the same regardless of project type: 13-yard (4,000 lbs), 20-yard (5,000 lbs), 30-yard (6,000 lbs). But roofing loads tend to be heavier per cubic foot than mixed debris. A single-layer shingle tear-off on a 25-square roof can run 5,000–8,000 lbs — we recommend the 20 or 30-yard for most roofing jobs.
Do you charge by weight or by size?
We charge a flat rate per size that includes the weight limit. You only pay extra if your load exceeds the included weight. The flat rates are: 13-yard ($245), 20-yard ($285), 30-yard ($395). Book online to save 5% automatically.
How accurate is this weight calculator?
It's an estimate based on average item weights. Actual weights vary based on material, condition, and how items are loaded. We recommend using it as a planning guide — and rounding up on your size estimate to avoid overage fees. When in doubt, call us.
Do you serve areas outside of Raleigh?
Yes — we deliver throughout the Triangle including Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Angier, Garner, Clayton, and surrounding Wake, Durham, Orange, Johnston, and Harnett counties. Call us to confirm availability in your area.