What counts as construction and demolition debris
Construction and demolition debris — C&D in the industry — is material generated by building, remodeling or tearing something down. It is handled separately from household waste at dedicated facilities, which is why it prices differently from a furniture load.
- Drywall, plaster and lath
- Lumber, plywood, trim and framing offcuts
- Floor and wall tile, grout and thinset
- Cabinetry, countertops and vanities
- Roofing shingles and underlayment
- Concrete, block, brick and rubble
- Windows, doors and their frames
- Carpet, padding and laminate flooring
- Wiring, conduit, ductwork and fixtures
Why curbside collection won't take it
Residential collection in Orlando and unincorporated Orange County covers household waste, yard waste and bulk household goods. Construction debris is excluded from all three — and contractor-generated material is excluded even when the identical item from a homeowner would be accepted on bulk day.
That exclusion is near-universal across Central Florida municipalities, and HOAs enforce it independently. In practice, if the material came off a wall or a floor, curbside is not an option.
What construction debris removal costs
C&D loads price by volume with a weight adjustment, because C&D facilities bill by the ton and the material is dense. A quarter trailer of tile can outweigh a full truck of furniture.
- Quarter trailer (single-room demo, one bathroom): $199–$279
- Half trailer (kitchen tear-out, flooring from several rooms): $299–$429
- Full trailer (whole-floor remodel): $449–$599
- Post-remodel general cleanup haul: $279–$599
- Concrete, brick and dirt: priced separately by weight — these are the densest loads we run
- Roofing shingle tear-off: quoted per square, since a single layer on an average Florida roof is several tons
Separate your loads and pay less
Mixed C&D costs more to process than sorted material, and that difference shows up in your quote. If your site can stage two piles instead of one, do it.
The highest-value separation is clean concrete, block and dirt kept away from everything else — that stream goes to a different facility at a different rate. Clean, untreated wood and scrap metal are also worth pulling out, and scrap metal often offsets part of the load cost outright.
What can't go in a C&D load
Some renovation material is regulated separately and cannot ride with general C&D. Anything on this list needs its own handling — tell us up front and we'll route it correctly rather than turn the truck away on arrival.
- Asbestos-containing material — requires a licensed abatement contractor before any demo
- Lead-painted components from pre-1978 structures, if being disturbed
- Paint, adhesives, solvents and sealants in liquid form
- Fluorescent tubes and ballasts
- Refrigerant-containing HVAC equipment (recovered separately)
- Treated or creosote lumber, which some facilities restrict
Contractor and jobsite service
For active jobsites we run scheduled recurring hauls rather than one-off pickups, so debris never accumulates past what the site can stage. That is usually cheaper than a container for a project under three weeks, and it avoids the driveway or right-of-way permit a roll-off needs.
We can also provide a certificate of insurance to a general contractor or property manager before the first visit.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as construction debris in Orange County?+
Material generated by building, remodeling or demolition: drywall, lumber, tile, cabinetry, roofing, concrete, flooring, windows, doors and fixtures. It goes to dedicated C&D facilities rather than the household waste stream.
Can I put renovation debris out for curbside pickup in Orlando?+
No. Construction debris is excluded from household, yard-waste and bulk collection across Orlando and unincorporated Orange County, and contractor-generated material is excluded even where the same item from a resident would be accepted.
How much does construction debris removal cost?+
A quarter trailer runs $199–$279, a half trailer $299–$429, and a full trailer $449–$599. Concrete, brick and dirt are quoted separately by weight because they are far denser than mixed debris.
Do you handle asbestos or lead paint?+
No. Asbestos-containing material requires a licensed abatement contractor before any demolition begins, and disturbed lead paint from pre-1978 structures is handled under separate rules. We can haul the remaining debris once abatement is complete.
Is a hauler cheaper than a dumpster for a remodel?+
For projects under about three weeks, usually yes — scheduled hauls avoid weekly container rental, tonnage overage and the right-of-way permit a roll-off may need. Longer projects with continuous debris generally favor a container.
Do you provide a certificate of insurance for jobsites?+
Yes. We can send a COI to a general contractor or property manager before the first visit — usually within an hour on weekdays.
