Is a 10 yard bin big enough for a basement cleanout in Orleans?

A 10 yard bin is on the small end for a basement cleanout, and whether it is enough depends on what is coming out and how full the basement is. Only one Ottawa bin company published dimensions for a 10 yard bin, approximately 10 by 8 by 4 feet, so treat that figure as approximate and ask the company for the outside dimensions of the specific bin they would send.

For context, company size guides describe a 14 to 20 yard bin as suited to a single-room renovation such as a kitchen or bathroom. A basement cleanout can produce more volume than that, particularly if it includes old furniture, shelving, flooring, stored goods and any framing or drywall. If the load is mostly bulky but light items, a 10 yard bin might handle a modest cleanout; if the basement is fully finished or packed, it may not. Ask the company directly: describe what is coming out and ask whether they would recommend a 10 yard or a larger size.

A few things affect the answer beyond volume. Heavy material such as concrete, brick or soil needs a small or dedicated bin, or a partly filled one, billed by weight; ask the company which bin they use for that and what it may hold. Companies set their own lists of refused and surcharged items, so ask for that list in writing before you load anything. Some companies charge per mattress or per appliance, and some refuse items such as tires, paint, propane tanks or hazardous materials.

On placement: if the bin sits on the road, boulevard or sidewalk in Orleans, the City's TCE permit applies. If it stays entirely on your driveway, check where your property line ends using geoOttawa, since the boulevard beside your property and the area near the street can be City land. Ask the bin company where they plan to set it down and get that in writing.

Before you pay, ask the company to show you the cancellation terms in writing so you know exactly what you can recover if the project changes.