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Estate CleanoutMadison, WIDecember 2024

Estate Cleanout: Clearing Parent's Home

Recommendation: 30 Yard Dumpster
Customer Question
Madison, WI
My siblings and I need to clean out our mom's house. She passed away last month and the house needs to be empty by end of January. It's a 3-bedroom ranch with a full basement and attached garage. Mom was a bit of a collector, so there's a LOT of stuff. We've already donated what we can and distributed family keepsakes. We're debating between getting two 15 yard dumpsters (one now, one later) or one 30 yard. The 30 yard is about $450 total, and two 15s would be around $650. But we're not sure if a 30 yard will actually hold everything. Also—will a 30 yard fit in a residential driveway? The driveway is about 35 feet long.
Expert Response
RentADumpsterGuide Team
I'm sorry for your loss. Estate cleanouts are emotionally difficult on top of the logistics. My recommendation: One 30 yard dumpster Here's why: Capacity: A 30 yard holds approximately 9 pickup truck loads. For a 3-bedroom ranch with basement and garage (collector's amount of stuff), one 30 yard will likely be tight but doable if you: - Donate/sell large furniture pieces you don't want - Break down boxes - Compress soft items Cost comparison: - One 30 yard: ~$450 - Two 15 yards: ~$650 - Savings: $200 Driveway fit: - 30 yard dimensions: 22' long × 8' wide - Your 35' driveway: Yes, it will fit with room to spare - The truck needs about 60' of straight clearance to deliver Alternative approach if concerned: Order the 30 yard first. If you run out of room, order a 10 yard for the overflow (~$300). You'll still save vs. two 15s. Timeline tip: Book 2-week rental since you have time. Estate cleanouts often take longer emotionally than physically.

Outcome

One 30 yard handled everything. Family took 10 days to complete the cleanout. Dumpster was completely full but nothing overflowing. Saved $200 vs two 15 yards.

Key Insights

  • 3-bedroom home with basement = 30 yard is usually right
  • One large dumpster beats two smaller ones for cost
  • 30 yard fits standard driveways (22' footprint)
  • Estate cleanouts benefit from longer rental periods

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Consultation from: December 2024