Buffalo’s housing is some of the oldest in the country. That is good for character and hard on renovation debris. If you are gutting a kitchen or restoring a whole house, planning the dumpster early saves money and delays.

Why Buffalo Debris Weighs More

The median Buffalo home was built in 1938, and about 93 percent of the city’s housing was built before 1980. Plaster, lath, old lumber, tile and masonry weigh more than modern drywall and framing. A cubic yard of concrete or masonry can weigh around 2 tons, so a container can hit its weight allowance before it looks full.

Sizing for an Older Home

• One room or a small bath: a 10-yard may be enough if the walls are not plaster.
• Kitchen gut job or roof: a 20-yard is the usual starting point.
• Whole-house gut: a 30-yard, or more than one container.

Tell the company about plaster, tile and masonry so the weight allowance matches the job. See the full size guide.

Lead Paint and Older Homes

Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. If a contractor is disturbing painted surfaces, ask how they handle lead-safe work and debris disposal. A dumpster company can help you pick a size and weight allowance, but it cannot test your walls.

Historic Districts

The city’s permit process sends projects in a historic district or historic building to the Preservation Board. If you are renovating in a district such as Allentown, check the requirements before you plan the work. See our pages for Allentown, Parkside and Elmwood Village.

Placement and Permits

Many older lots are narrow with short or no driveways. If the container must go on the street, Buffalo requires a right-of-way work permit. A dumpster permit is separate from a building permit. Read our permit guide.

Room-by-Room Debris Guide

• Kitchen: cabinets, countertops, flooring, drywall or plaster and sometimes tile. Often a 20-yard.
• Bathroom: tile, tub, vanity and plaster. A 10-yard may be enough for a small bath.
• Roof: shingles are heavy, and extra layers add weight. Tell the company the roof size and layers.
• Basement: old furniture, flooring and sometimes masonry. Weight varies a lot.
• Porches and siding: lumber and old siding. Bulky but usually lighter.

Coordinate With Your Contractor

Decide who orders the dumpster and who pays. If your contractor orders it, ask what size and weight allowance they chose, because a container sized for their job may not leave room for your extra items. If you order it, tell the contractor where it sits and what is going in.

Keep the Project Moving

Plan for swaps on long jobs. A full container that cannot be picked up stalls the work, so call early and keep the drop spot clear. For multi-week projects, ask the company about extra days and replacement containers.