Choose by weight, not just volume. Bulky, light debris like wood and drywall goes in a 40 yard container. Heavy material like concrete and dirt goes in a low boy.
The short answer
| Compare | 40 yard container | Low boy |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Bulky, light debris | Heavy concrete and dirt |
| Typical jobs | Demolition, strip outs, cleanouts | Slab and footing removal, excavation, grading |
| A2Z price | $950 within OC, $1,100 outside OC, 5 tons included | $1,000 clean load, $1,150 mixed dirt and concrete |
Why weight matters more than size
A cubic yard of dirt or broken concrete can weigh well over a ton. Fill a 40 yard container with it and the load would be far too heavy to haul safely or legally. A low boy has low sides on purpose, so a full load of heavy material stays within what the truck can carry.
Wood, drywall, framing and cleanout debris are the opposite: they take up a lot of space but weigh much less. That is what the 40 yard container is built for, and why up to 5 tons is included in the price.
How to decide
- Look at what most of the load will be. If it is mostly concrete, asphalt or dirt, choose a low boy. If it is mostly wood, drywall or mixed debris, choose a 40 yard container.
- Keep heavy material separate when you can. A clean load of only concrete or only dirt costs less than a mixed load.
- Plan for more than one container on bigger jobs. A teardown often needs a 40 yard container for the structure and a low boy for the slab and footings.
- Ask before loading anything unusual. Hazardous materials like paint, oil, chemicals and asbestos cannot go in either container.
See full pricing and booking on our roll off containers page.
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Common questions
Can I put concrete in a 40 yard container?
Small amounts mixed with other debris are usually fine, but a container full of concrete gets heavy fast. For loads that are mostly concrete or dirt, a low boy is the better choice.
What happens if my 40 yard container is over 5 tons?
Weight over the 5 tons included is billed at $150 per ton.
Which container is cheaper for dirt?
For dirt or concrete, the low boy is usually the better value, because a 40 yard container filled with heavy material would go far over the 5 tons included.
Serving Orange County and the South Bay
Based in Irvine, A2Z provides demolition for residential and commercial clients throughout Orange County and surrounding areas, including:
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