Start with two separate limits: space and weight
A 15-yard dumpster has 15 cubic yards of volume, equal to 405 cubic feet. That is a measure of space, not a weight allowance or a guarantee that a particular project will fit. The amount of material you can put in depends on what it is, how it fits together and how much it weighs.
Nelson’s Express rents one size: a 15-yard dumpster. Our current public size, weight and rental information is below. Describe your materials and project when you call or text so we can discuss fit, weight and whether additional dumpsters would help.
Nelson’s 15-yard dumpster at a glance
| Plan around | Current public specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 15-yard dumpster; one size |
| Stated dimensions | 7 feet wide × 14 feet long × 4 feet tall |
| Volume | 15 cubic yards (405 cubic feet) |
| Included disposal | 1 ton (2,000 pounds) |
| Maximum load | 3 tons (6,000 pounds) |
| Additional weight | Extra weight is available for an additional cost and billed after the load is weighed |
| Rental period | Minimum 2 days; additional time is available for an additional cost |
These figures serve different purposes. The dimensions help describe the equipment’s size; they do not establish the space required for delivery or guarantee that your property can accommodate it. The 3-ton maximum is not included disposal: the first ton is included, with any additional weight handled as described above.
Five checks for planning your load
- Identify the main materials. Make separate lists for household items, construction or roofing debris and yard waste. Set aside any item that needs an answer before disposal.
- Think about volume. Bulky furniture, boxes and long boards take room in different ways. Grouping similar materials and measuring the largest pieces gives you useful details to share, not a guaranteed capacity calculation.
- Think about weight separately. Roofing shingles, plaster and tile can add considerable weight even when they occupy less space than household furnishings. Unused space does not increase the weight allowance.
- Check the material rules. Size and weight do not decide whether an item is accepted. Use the lists below and ask about anything unusual.
- Describe the project and placement needs. Tell us the town, project type, main materials, preferred timing and access concerns. We will give you the placement, loading and pickup instructions that apply to our dumpster.
Materials from common projects
Garage, basement and attic cleanouts
Common items include furniture, boxes, shelving and general household debris. Sort one area at a time. Separate things to keep, donate or discard, and keep photographs, documents and keepsakes away from material intended for disposal. Ask about large appliances, unusually heavy objects or anything that might be prohibited. Our garage cleanout planning guide covers that project in more detail.
Moving and estate cleanouts
Unwanted furniture, clothing, boxes and ordinary household debris can require more room than a few bags suggest. Work through one room or category at a time, protect important papers and keepsakes, and use a separate area for donations. A larger property may need additional dumpsters. Ask us before assuming everything from a full-property cleanout will fit one load.
Kitchen and bathroom remodels
Cabinets, drywall, trim, flooring, sinks, vanities, tubs and toilets are examples of remodeling debris. Tile, plaster and countertops can affect weight as well as space, so describe them before demolition. Concrete and dirt are not accepted, and most appliances are allowed while refrigerators and freezers are not. If you are unsure about a fixture or material, ask before putting it in.
Roofing jobs
Some shingle tear-offs may fit the one-size dumpster, but roof size alone cannot determine the load. Tell us approximately how much roof is being removed, how many shingle layers are involved and whether other material is being removed. Discuss weight and the possible need for additional dumpsters rather than choosing a capacity based only on the dumpster’s name.
Deck, fence and outdoor projects
Lumber, railings, fence pickets, limbs and brush take space differently and may be mixed with material that is not accepted. Describe wood, vegetation and any attached material when you call. Ask how to prepare and load long or heavy pieces. Keep concrete, dirt and liquids out.
What can go in—and what must stay out
Commonly accepted
- Household cleanout debris, furniture and mattresses
- Most appliances, such as washers, dryers and stoves
- Cabinets, drywall, lumber, flooring and remodeling debris
- Roofing shingles
- Limbs, brush and yard waste
- Brick only in limited amounts, with advance approval
Not accepted
- Tires
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Concrete
- Dirt
- Liquids of any kind, including paint and fuel
- Hazardous materials
These lists are a starting point, not permission to load every item just because space or weight may remain. Check what can go in a dumpster and ask us before loading an unusual item.
What to sort before delivery
- Set aside keepsakes, documents and donations. A dedicated keep or donation area helps prevent accidental disposal.
- Make an ask-first group. Include limited brick, unusual appliances, large furniture, tile, plaster, roofing and anything on the prohibited list.
- Describe large or heavy objects. Do not force an oversized item into the dumpster or improvise a way to carry material extending beyond it. Ask for the instructions that apply to Nelson’s equipment.
- Discuss total weight. More than 1 ton and up to 3 tons can be handled with an additional cost after weighing. The 3-ton maximum still applies, and heavier material needs a conversation before loading.
- Confirm delivery, loading and pickup instructions. Do not assume a clearance, placement technique, loading-door process or customer-presence policy from another provider’s guide. We will tell you what applies to your location and our dumpster. Do not try to reposition the dumpster yourself.
When one dumpster is not enough
A whole-property cleanout, multi-room renovation or larger roofing job may need more capacity than one dumpster provides. We can deliver additional dumpsters when a job calls for more room. Have your main materials, rough quantities, preferred day and desired rental time ready so we can discuss what makes sense.
Next-day delivery is usual, but it is not guaranteed for every address and date. Same-day delivery is possible when a truck is open, so calling early helps. Delivery and pickup are available Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday is closed. Rentals start at 2 days, with additional time available for an additional cost.
Quick capacity questions
Does 15 yards mean 15 square yards?
No. It means cubic yards, which measure volume. Fifteen cubic yards equals 405 cubic feet; square yards measure area instead. The name does not by itself describe weight, accepted materials or the space needed for delivery.
Are all 3 tons included?
No. The first ton of disposal is included. The maximum load is 3 tons, and additional weight above the included ton is available for an additional cost after the load is weighed.
If there is room left, can I add tires, dirt or an old refrigerator?
No. Material restrictions apply regardless of available space or weight. Tires, dirt, concrete, refrigerators, freezers, liquids and hazardous materials are not accepted. Brick needs advance approval and is limited.
Tell us what you are clearing out
Nelson’s Express is a small, local, family-run business based in Gray Court. Call or text (864) 340-8862 with your project, main materials and access concerns. We can talk through weight, timing and whether additional dumpsters may help.
Call or text (864) 340-8862 · See 15-yard dumpster rental · See our service area