How to Estimate the Volume of Your Junk Load
Truck-Guy.com — It’s your journey. We just move things.
Whether you're cleaning out a shed, reclaiming your garage, or tackling a full-house purge—one question always comes up:
“How much space is all this going to take up?”
This guide helps you estimate your junk in cubic yards, the standard measurement for hauling and disposal. It's not exact, but it’ll give you a strong starting point—whether you’re doing it yourself or calling us in to handle it.
🛍️ Step One: Identify the Type of Junk
Before you calculate volume, start with the kind of material you're dealing with.
Different junk = different costs.
Residential Junk
- Furniture
- Clothes
- Boxes
- Yard waste
- Bagged trash
- General clutter
Construction Debris
- Drywall
- Tile
- Plaster
- Framing wood
- Concrete or bricks
- Roofing material
⚖️ Why That Matters
Construction debris is heavier, harder to load, and more expensive to dispose of.
It wears on equipment and racks up dump fees faster than residential junk.
That’s why pricing is typically higher for construction materials.
Our estimates are based primarily on cubic yards, but we also factor in:
- 📍 Travel time to the site
- 🧱 Weight of the load
- 🏠 Accessibility (stairs, basements, tight hallways, etc.)
No two jobs are the same. If you're not sure where your project fits, we’ll take a look and give you a fair, clear quote.
📏 So... What is a Cubic Yard?
A cubic yard is a cube of space: 3 feet long × 3 feet wide × 3 feet tall.
Visually, it’s about the size of a standard washing machine or a large armchair.
⚠️ Disclaimer: There’s no way to estimate cubic yards perfectly without measuring every item and accounting for how it stacks. This guide gives you practical ballpark numbers—not an exact science.
📦 Common Cubic Yard Equivalents
| Items | Estimated Cubic Yards |
|---|---|
| washing machine | 1 cu yards |
| queen mattress plus box spring | 2.5- 3 cu yards |
| 3-seat couch | 1.5- 2 cu yards |
| 6 drawer dresser | 1 cu yard |
| Dining set (table + 4–6 chairs) | 2.5- 3 cu yards |
| 10–12 kitchen trash bags (13 gal) | 1 cu yard |
| 10 contractor bags | 1.5- 2 cu yards |
| Small bathroom demo | 2- 3 cu yards |
| Pickup load of bricks/pavers | 2- 3 cu yards |
| 1 wheelbarrow of concrete | 0.75- 1 cu yards |
🛍️ Bag sizes vary—these estimates assume standard 13-gallon kitchen bags. Larger bags may require adjustment.
Cleanout Volume Estimate Table:
| Clean out type | Estimated Cubic Yards |
|---|---|
| Curbside pile (bags, boxes) | 1-2 cu yards |
| Single-room declutter | 3-4 cu yards |
| Shed, storage unit, or small garage | 5-7 cu yards |
| Large garage or full workshop | 12-20 cu yards |
| Basement cleanout | 8-12 cu yards |
| Apartment (2 bedroom) | 10-15 cu yards |
| Medium home + garage | 15-25 cu yards |
| Full property cleanout (house + large garage + shed) | 30-75 cu yards |
🚛 Truck & Trailer Reference Chart
| Bed/Trailer Size | Cubic Yard Capacity (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 6 ft truck bed (standard height) | 2.5–3 cubic yards |
| 8 ft truck bed (standard height) | 3.5–4 cubic yards |
| 5×10 utility trailer (low wall) | 4–5 cubic yards |
| 6×12 dump trailer (high wall) | 10–12 cubic yards |
| 7×14 dump trailer (high wall) | 14–16 cubic yards |
⚠️ Note: There are endless varieties of trailers and truck beds—capacities vary by height, wall style, and mounding. To estimate your load size, compare your pile to what your own vehicle or trailer can hold. Most truck manuals or trailer listings will show cubic foot or cubic yard capacity.
🔧 How to Make the Most of Your Space
Want to stretch your yardage?
- Stack flat items (sheetrock, wood, doors)
- Break down cardboard, furniture, or old cabinets
- Bag loose junk tightly
- Fill dressers and bins with small items
- Avoid large gaps between objects
Smart packing means fewer trips—and lower costs.
❌ Important: Not Everything Can Go in the Dump
Your local dump or transfer station may have restrictions on what can be accepted—and Morgantown is no exception.
Here are some examples of items that may not be accepted for disposal:
- Freeflowing liquids (paint, oil, fuel)
- Pesticides or regulated chemicals
- Tires
- Batteries
- Refrigerators, AC units, or anything with Freon
- Asbestos or contaminated construction debris
Here’s how to handle these items instead:
- 🖌️ Paint: Let it dry out in a ventilated area. Add kitty litter to speed it up. For large amounts, Morgantown hosts Household Hazardous Waste events. Check Monongalia County Solid Waste Authority.
- 🚗 Tires: Local shops and tire stores may accept them for a small fee. Try Walmart Auto, Discount Tire, or your local repair shop.
- ❄️ Appliances with Freon: These must be drained and tagged by a licensed tech. Try Appliance Discounters or a certified recycling center.
- 🔋 Batteries: Drop off locations are available at many auto parts stores, including AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts in Morgantown.
- 🚨 Used Motor Oil: Many auto parts shops also recycle oil. Try AutoZone, O’Reilly, or Advance Auto, and call ahead to confirm.
If you’re not sure what counts as restricted, just ask—we’ll let you know and help find a legal, safe solution.
📍 Need Help?
If you're anywhere near Morgantown, Cheat Lake, or surrounding areas, we’re just down the road and ready to help you clean out whatever you’ve got—quick, clear, and without the nonsense.
Click the link below to get started (insert button) or:
📱 Call or Text: 724-590-2443
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— Your Friendly Neighborhood Guy with a Truck 🙂