How much demo debris does a kitchen remodel create?
A full kitchen gut, with cabinets, counters, flooring and some drywall, often fills one 7x14 dump trailer, which holds 7.17 cubic yards. At typical mixed-debris weights of 417 to 484 lb per cubic yard, that's about 1.5 to 1.7 tons. Break the cabinets down and a smaller kitchen may fit a 6x12, which holds 4.44 cubic yards.
Key takeaways
- Mixed remodel debris weighs about 417–484 lb per cubic yard (EPA).
- A full 7x14 load of kitchen debris is about 1.5–1.7 tons, roughly $158–$184 at Howard's $106/ton rate.
- Intact base cabinets take up about 5.75 cubic feet per linear foot. Break them down to save space.
- 3 cm granite weighs 18–20 lb per square foot, so counters are heavy but small.
- Donate cabinets and appliances in good shape first, so less of the job is paid for by the ton.
How much debris does a typical kitchen gut produce?
Plan on about one 7x14 dump trailer load, 5 to 9 cubic yards, for a full gut of a mid-size kitchen. Volume, not weight, is usually the limit.
Here's an example for a 12x14 kitchen with 20 linear feet of base cabinets, 16 feet of wall cabinets, 40 square feet of 3 cm granite and the walls opened to the studs. The cabinet volumes are measured from standard box sizes. The other volumes are estimates.
| Item | Volume (loose) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Base cabinets, intact (24 in deep × 34.5 in tall) | ~4.3 yd³ | wood, light |
| Wall cabinets, intact (12 in deep × 30 in tall) | ~1.5 yd³ | wood, light |
| Granite counters, 40 sq ft at 3 cm | ~0.5 yd³ in pieces | 720–800 lb |
| Drywall, ~500 sq ft of 1/2 in | ~1.7 yd³ | ~800 lb |
| Flooring, underlayment, trim, sink (estimate) | ~1 yd³ | varies |
| Total, cabinets intact | ~9 yd³ | ~1.5–2 tons |
Intact cabinets are mostly air. If you break the boxes down and stack the panels, this example can fit one 7x14 dump trailer (7.17 yd³) instead of spilling into a second load. Not sure about yours? The load calculator does the math.
How much does kitchen debris weigh?
Count on about 1.5 to 1.7 tons for a full 7x14 load of mixed kitchen debris. That's well under the trailer's 9,820-lb payload.
The EPA's conversion factors put mixed construction and demolition debris at 417 to 484 lb per cubic yard, and clean gypsum board at 467 lb per cubic yard. A 7.17-yd³ load of mixed debris works out to about 2,990 to 3,470 lb.
- Countertops are the dense item. A 3 cm granite slab weighs 18 to 20 lb per square foot, and 2 cm weighs 12 to 13. Forty square feet of 3 cm granite is 720 to 800 lb.
- Drywall at 1/2 inch weighs about 1.6 lb per square foot, so 500 square feet is about 800 lb.
- Tile on a mortar bed is heavy. If you're pulling a mortar-set floor, load it over the axles and expect a heavier load.
Weight matters most at the scale, because you pay by the ton.
Rent the 7x14 14K Dump
$165/day · $279 weekend · $595 week. Total with tax shown before you book.
See prices and bookWhat will it cost to dump a kitchen in Howard County?
At Alpha Ridge's $106-per-ton C&D rate, a full 7x14 load of kitchen debris costs about $158 to $184 to dump, plus 2.45% if you pay by card.
| Cost line | Example |
|---|---|
| 7x14 dump trailer, 1 day | $165 ($174.90 with tax) |
| Alpha Ridge tip fee, 1.5–1.7 tons at $106/ton | $158–$184 |
| Card fee at the landfill (2.45%) | about $4 |
| Example total | about $337–$363 |
For comparison, Columbia quotes for a 15-yard dumpster run $350 to $685. A dumpster wins if demo drags on for weeks. A trailer wins when you can tear out in a day or a weekend; the weekend rate is $279 ($295.74 with tax) for any 2 or 3 days in a row. Run your numbers in the dumpster vs dump trailer calculator.
Alpha Ridge treats trailers and rental vehicles as commercial. They weigh in and out, and remodel debris pays the tip fee. See how the Alpha Ridge scale works. Landfill fees, hours and rules are set by each county or site and can change without notice. We don't control them; call the site before you go.
What should I keep out of the trailer?
Pull out anything that can be donated, recycled or that the landfill won't take before you load the debris.
- Cabinets and appliances in good shape. Howard County's donation directory lists building-material and appliance donation options, including the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Columbia and The Loading Dock in Baltimore. Call first.
- Scrap metal. Old sinks, range hoods and appliances can go to the Residents' Convenience Center at Alpha Ridge as metal. Refrigerators and air conditioners go in their own area, and appliances with Freon are $15 each on the fee schedule.
- Liquids and chemicals. No liquid paint, solvents or cleaners. Take them to household hazardous waste drop-off, held Saturdays April through November.
- Asbestos. Older vinyl flooring and mastic can contain it. Howard County's C&D page links asbestos handling resources. Test before you tear out.
Landfill fees, hours and rules are set by each county or site and can change without notice. We don't control them; call the site before you go.
How do I plan demo day around the trailer?
Book the trailer for the days you're actually tearing out, and time your landfill trips to the transfer station hours: Monday through Saturday, 8am to 3pm.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Before | Donate cabinets and appliances, and shut off and cap water, gas and power |
| Friday afternoon | Pick up the 7x14 on the weekend rate ($279, $295.74 with tax) |
| Saturday morning | Tear out counters, cabinets and flooring; load heavy material first |
| Saturday before 3pm | First landfill run if the bed is full; Alpha Ridge is closed Sunday |
| Sunday | Drywall and cleanup; load the trailer for the last run |
| Monday, by your pickup time | Return it loaded and let us dump it, or dump it yourself Monday |
Park the trailer as close to the kitchen door as you can, on the driveway, not the street. Howard County limits commercial vehicles on residential streets to 6 hours, and Columbia village covenants vary. In Oakland Mills, for example, a trailer can't be stored in the open, but a dumpster is allowed for 30 days. Check your village's rules before the trailer arrives. Want someone else to haul it all? Compare costs in junk removal vs renting a dump trailer.
How should I load kitchen debris into the trailer?
Put the heavy material in first, low and over the axles. Put the light, bulky material on top.
- Granite, tile and mortar first, spread across the floor between the wheels.
- Drywall next, laid flat.
- Broken-down cabinet panels stacked flat on top.
- Bags, trim and odds and ends to fill gaps. Tarp it before you leave.
Keep debris below the 24-inch sides so nothing blows out. For more detail, read how much a dump trailer holds.
Questions
Can I put the old range and dishwasher in with the debris?
It's better not to. Metal appliances can go to the Residents' Convenience Center as scrap, and keeping them out lowers your per-ton bill.
Will a 6x12 be enough for a small kitchen?
Often yes, for a galley or small kitchen with cabinets broken down. It holds 4.44 yd³ and is $119 a day ($126.14 with tax).
How long can I keep the trailer?
Book a day, weekend or week. A week is $595 ($630.70 with tax) on the 7x14.
Sources
- US EPA: Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors for Solid Waste (April 2016)
- Dynamic Stone Tools: stone countertop weight per square foot
- National Gypsum: Gold Bond gypsum board submittal (1/2 in. regular, 1.6 lb/sq ft)
- Howard County: Alpha Ridge Landfill fee schedule, good through 6/30/2027
- Howard County: Alpha Ridge commercial customers (2.45% card fee)
- Howard County: Alpha Ridge landfill and Residents' Convenience Center guide
- Howard County: Know Before You Throw donation directory (rev. 08/25)
- Howard County: Household hazardous waste drop-off
- Howard County: Alpha Ridge transfer station and C&D debris